Art, Design (including Graphic Design, Illustration and Exhibition Design) Concentration, M.F.A.

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Master of Fine Arts in Art

(60 UNITS)

The Master of Fine Arts in Art features a rigorous studio program for the serious, responsible and talented student. The curriculum and faculty challenge students to focus on the goal of becoming professional artists.

The M.F.A. program provides in-depth study within an approved study plan in the following areas of concentration: design (including graphic design, illustration, and exhibition design); ceramics (including glass); crafts (including jewelry/metalsmithing and woodworking); sculpture; drawing and painting; and creative photography.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants must meet the following:

Classified Standing

Baccalaureate degree in art with the same concentration as the graduate degree objective from an accredited institution, or 24 upper-division units in art, 18 of which must be in the concentration completed with a “B” (3.0) or better in all courses. Applicants are advised that most upper-division courses require lower-division prerequisites;
pass the semianual comprehensive portfolio review. The comprehensive portfolio review is an evaluation of the candidate by a committee comprising faculty teaching in the area of concentration. The committee reviews the student’s creative work, statement of purpose, academic and other relevant qualifications. Procedures, dates and appointment times are available through the Art Department Graduate Office. If the student’s portfolio is not adequate, the applicant may still be recommended for conditionally classified standing by the faculty comprehensive review committee. However, the comprehensive portfolio review must be repeated;
form a graduate committee; and
develop an approved study plan.

Conditionally classified standing

Conditionally classified students may enroll in graduate courses with the exception of ART 500A , ART 500B ; ART 511 , ART 512 , ART 597 ; and ART 598 . The comprehensive portfolio review must be repeated and passed to be recommended for classification.

Application Deadlines

The Art Department also has a supplemental application process. See fullerton.edu/arts/art for further information.

Study Plan

The study plan must be completed with a “C” (2.0) or better in a courses, an overall “B” (3.0) average or better and “B” (3.0) or better in the concentration. Every graduate student is required to demonstrate writing ability commensurate with the baccalaureate. Two graduate seminars are certified to fulfill this university requirement. The 60-unit study plan is distributed as follows:

Areas (60 units total)

Theory, Criticism: ART 500A , ART 500B (6)
Art History (9)
Studio Area of Concentration (24)
Studio Electives in Art (12)

Capstone Experience

Independent Study - Research (3)
Studio Project (6)

Master of Fine Arts Project

The M.F.A. project exhibition constitutes a professional one-person art exhibit. It is installed in one of the department’s graduate galleries and announced for public view by the student as the final phase of the M.F.A. program requirements.