Art (MA)

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Art MA emphasizes specialized involvement in the student's chosen studio area – ceramics, drawing, graphic design, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. Most students focus on the research and development of creative work that culminates in a public exhibition or presentation as an alternative to the traditional written thesis (an option). The graduate advisor and committee will assist in establishing the presentation form and appropriate supporting documentation. 

Program Requirements

Research/Methods Course(s)

Total of 31 credits required between Research/Methods Course, Major Restricted Electives, Capstone Course, and Other Graduation Requirements.

Introduction to issues of professional interest to studio majors, such as how to write artist statements, grant and fellowship proposals. Topics include the methodology of art history and the discourse on art and the art world, including issues of equity, race, gender, class, and other social identities.

Prerequisites:
none

Major Restricted Electives

Art /Design History - Choose 4 - 8 Credit(s). Choose any 500 level Art History courses

Prerequisites:
none

Art/Design Studio - Choose 12 - 16 Credit(s). Choose any 5/600 level Art/Design Studio courses

Prerequisites:
none

Related (non-art) Electives - Choose 2 - 8 Credit(s). Choose any 5/600 level related elective courses

Prerequisites:
none

Capstone Course

Required of all candidates of the MA degree, this course is culmination of the previous sequential graduate studio blocks and reviews. Concepts developed will result in a body of work that constitutes the graduate exhibition or presentation. An oral defense of the ideas presented in the exhibition or presentation is required. Documentation will be submitted by the MA candidate and will become part of the Department of Creative Arts files. The candidate will also create and submit appropriate announcements, posters, and descriptions for public relations.

Prerequisites:
none

Other Graduation Requirements

Graduate Review - Choose 1 Credit(s). Enroll during second semester

Students will learn to present their work professionally and to articulate their ideas in oral and written formats. Analysis and contextualization of work in relation to contemporary art and art history will be emphasized. Course should be taken during the second semester of graduate study.

Prerequisites:
none

Policies

 

The Department of Creative Arts offers a graduate degree program that leads to the Master of Arts in Art, a degree that requires 30 credits emphasizing specialized involvement in the student's chosen studio area – ceramics, drawing, graphic design, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture.

The degree requirements include:

  • A thesis and courses in research, art history, the specialization area, and a related area outside of the Department of Creative Arts.
  • Most students focus on the research and development of creative work that culminates in a public exhibition or presentation as an alternative to the traditional written thesis (also an option).
  • The graduate advisor and committee will assist in establishing the presentation form and appropriate supporting documentation.

Application requirements include:

  1. a degree from an accredited university,
  2. an application essay clearly stating your goals or purpose for graduate study,
  3. a personal statement defining your artistic philosophy,
  4. an electronic portfolio of 10-20 examples of representative creative work,
  5. the names and contact information of two professional references,
  6. a resume/CV;

Additional requirements for international applicants include:

  1. minimum TOEFL iBT score of 61 or a minimum IELTS score of 5.5,
  2. credential evaluation prepared by a National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service member.

 

Degree
Master of Arts

Major Credits
31

Total Credits
31

Locations
Mankato

Career Cluster
Arts, Audio

Accreditation
NASAD
National Association of Schools of Art and Design