Art, M.F.A.

The Masters in Fine Arts in Studio Art is administered through the Division of Arts & Letters, and offers a concentrated multi-media studio focus on developing professional art makers.

The graduate program in fine art stresses intellectual curiosity, self-discipline, and technical proficiency in the art studio. With course work in painting, printmaking, photography, digital imaging, sculp­ture, graphic design or ceramics, the art studio student is directed to become a mature artist in command of multiple mediums that highlight expression of an individual artistic voice.

The graduate art program enables students either to become practicing artists or to achieve a level of scholarship that can help them to be both art scholars and professional educators. Trained innovators and creative thinkers, fine art majors find ever expanding use of their arts education in contempo­rary life. The employment and entrepreneurial outlook for artists continues to be strong.

Courses in art history support the research of the Fine Arts major and treat art objects as historical documents related in subject, style, technique, and material to other works of art. They further explore analysis through interpretation of their context and purpose. Art history courses range from contemporary international and regional artistic expressions to those of ancient America, Africa, and Asia.

Students are encouraged to develop perception and imagi­nation, combined with an awareness of visual elements, principles of design, artistic statement, and criticism. Professional display, public presentation, and sound research skills culminate in the thesis exhibit and written support document.

Program Objectives:

The Masters of Fine Art in Studio Art, MFASA, is a terminal degree for working artists and scholars. The curriculum is designed to provide students with tools in theory, criticism, and practice so that they hold mastery over the studio art field. In order to provide a framework to ensure a consistent set of expectations across media, the MFASA program has a set of five program outcomes. Courses within the major will address one or more of the following program outcomes:

1. Create a body of professional-level work demonstrating personal vision, rigor, and a cohesiveness in a style that is worthy of a professional gallery.
2. Exhibit the ability conceptualize creative problems and execute solutions while choosing the appropriate techniques/materials and making quality aesthetic choices.
3. Recognize the influence of western/non-western art history and contemporary art on their artworks.
4. Critically analyze artworks by describing, analyzing compositions, interpreting content, and judging results.
5. Communicate research professionally using effective visual, oral, and written presentation skills.

Admission to the Program

Special Admission Requirements:

In addition to meeting university criteria, applicants must submit the following to artportfolio@govst.edu (Email with attached files not to exceed 10MB):

1. A digital portfolio of 20 artworks completed in the last 5 years, highlighting technical proficiency, independent research, and artistic voice. Pdf, Jpeg, Jpg,or PowerPoint accepted. A link to personal portfolio website may also be included.
2. A 1000-word written proposal that outlines academic and career goals with support­ing rationale and plan of study.

Students will not be admitted to the major until the portfolio and written proposal, reflecting potential for graduate work, have been approved by the graduate faculty review committee.

An undergraduate degree in Art is highly recommended, BFA preferred. An exceptional portfolio of work or post-baccalaureate certificate can prove proficiency in the field if an undergraduate degree is not held. Supplemental courses to fill in art foundations deficiencies may be required based on Graduate Program Coordinator recommendation.  The GRE is not required.

University Graduate Admission Requirements:

Persons are eligible for admission as a degree seeking student if they:

• Have earned (or will earn by the term they wish to enroll) a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university or who have international transcripts that have been reviewed by an appropriate agency for equivalency.
• Were in good standing at the last institution attended.
• Have satisfied collegial and /or major criteria, if applicable, for graduate study in a specific major.

All applicants must complete and submit a graduate application form to the Office of Admissions and to the graduate program as required, ensuring that official transcript or other official documents indicating the achievement of the criteria described in A.3. are submitted prior to the admission/credential deadline for the term in which enrollment is desired.

Graduation Requirements:

Consistent with university policy, students must meet all university requirements for a master’s degree.  In addition, students must complete required and major elective courses with a “C” or better. Upon completion of coursework, the student must present a thesis exhibit, a written thesis document, and an oral defense of thesis materials with a faculty committee.