Master of Fine Arts in Art- Visual Arts - Illustration

The 60-unit M.F.A. in Art option in Visual Arts emphasizes the experience and value of visual thinking and creative problem solving in art, as well as recognizing the concurrent importance of critical thinking, experimentation, innovation and perception. Graduate students must understand the history and traditions of art and their cultural, political and social relevance. They are encouraged to utilize and interact with the services, facilities and technologies offered throughout the University, as well as those provided by the Department of Art and Design. The program has areas of concentration in Ceramics, Drawing, Illustration, Painting, Photography/Video, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students will acquire academic and professional knowledge and skills in various art media, concepts and methodologies. Students will produce an academic and professional body of individual and collaborative work suitable for a master of fine arts degree, for the local, national and global marketplace. Students will solve visual problems at an academic and professional level, including understanding/application of the elements of art and principles of design. Students will utilize and apply critical thinking skills to communicate ideas for their intended audience at an academic and professional level in visual, oral, and written formats Students will acquire historical and contemporary knowledge of diverse cultural and aesthetic contexts, including political, visual and material culture. The Master of Fine Arts degree program in Visual Arts is the terminal degree for practicing artists and requires a minimum of 60 units. Students accepted into the program are encouraged to be registered full time, taking a minimum of 9 units per semester.

Illustration can be seen in many businesses including entertainment, publishing, merchandising, advertising and galleries. In this area of concentration, you will study illustration as both an art form and as a profession. Topics cover historical and contemporary illustration and its evolving styles and technologies. Professional preparation topics include portfolio and website development, goal setting, researching employment opportunities, self-promotion and business and trade practices. Students learn methods for creating new ideas and for the effective visual communication of those ideas. Projects emphasize a wide range of technical skills in fine art and digital media, conceptual problem-solving abilities, composition and design, self-expression and the development of a personal artistic vision.

Students must meet all classified graduate status requirements in order to enter the program.

A bachelor's degree in Art from an accredited institution or a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 24 units of upper division Art, or the equivalency, as determined by the Visual Arts Graduate Committee.
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students who do not meet the undergraduate GPA of 3.0 must complete ART 611 or ART 615 with a minimum grade of B.
Completion of 18 advisor-approved units of upper division and/or graduate coursework in the proposed emphasized area of concentration.
Completion of a minimum of 12 units of art history, 6 units of which must be upper division.
Successful completion of a Qualifying Portfolio Evaluation approved by the Visual Arts Graduate Committee, with emphasis in the proposed area(s) of concentration, a Statement of Intent and a resume submitted with the portfolio.
Pass a personal screening interview conducted by the Visual Arts Graduate Committee.

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