The Master of Fine Arts in Art is a professional studio degree program that incorporates a comprehensive background in the fine arts as well as advanced development in patterns of studio specialization. The degree offers students progressive coursework in critical theory, practiced criticism, and art history. The studio and academic experience gives students the opportunity to synthesize information while engaging in original research and significant creative studio work. Studio concentrations include ceramics, drawing, glass design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

Requirements for the MFA in Art

Completion of all requirements as established by the department, the Graduate Advisory Committee, and Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program of 60 units of 400/500/600-level courses (at least 60 percent of these courses must be at the 600-level).
2. On the approval of the Graduate Coordinator and the student's graduate advisory committee, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education. All transfer coursework must be graduate level and completed at a regionally accredited institution. Applicants holding an MA in studio art from an accredited institution may transfer units from their previous degree program upon review and recommendation by the Graduate Coordinator and the faculty members in the pattern area of emphasis. The transferred courses must have been taken within the seven-year time limit. No coursework from another previous degree other than a master's in studio art may be applied to the MFA requirements.
3. Not more than a total of 15 units of Independent Study (697) and Project (699); not more than a total of 3 units of project (699).
4. Prior to the required MFA exhibition, candidates are required to pass an oral defense of their project.
5. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to write and communicate clearly by meeting the department's Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency.

Course List

Course	Title	Units
ARTS 695	Interdisciplinary Graduate Studio Seminar	3
ARTS 696	Seminar in Contemporary Art (must be taken twice)	6
Select three units from the following:		3
ARTS 699P	Master's Project
ARTS 699T	Masters Study
Select 33 units from graduate-level studio courses		33
Select nine units from graduate-level art history courses		9
Select six units from graduate-level courses approved by the Graduate Coordinator		6
Total Units		60

Master's Study

Completion and approval by the candidate's Graduate Advisory Committee of a written component and an exhibition of work. The written component, evaluated for both form and content, is intended to articulate an understanding of the candidate's considered aesthetic stance and not to be simply a catalog and/or descriptive statement of the work. This statement shall demonstrate:

1. an understanding of artistic intent;
2. the function of the content of the work; and
3. knowledge about the chosen processes involved and their relationship to intent, content, and the artwork's elements.

Approval must be obtained prior to the graduate exhibition.

Graduate Grading Requirements

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, and Master's Study - 699) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 15 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699, and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must earn a grade of B or higher in each course applied to the degree. In addition, students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in both of the following categories: all coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; and all coursework taken at California State University, Chico subsequent to admission to the program.

Graduate Time Limit

Continuous enrollment is required. All requirements for the degree are to be completed within seven years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements.

On the approval of the Graduate Coordinator and the student's graduate committee, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education. All transfer coursework must be graduate level and completed at a regionally accredited institution. Applicants holding an MA in studio art from an accredited institution may transfer units from their previous degree program upon review and recommendation by the Graduate Coordinator and the faculty members in the pattern area of emphasis. The transferred courses must have been taken within the seven-year time limit. No coursework from another previous degree other than a master's in studio art may be applied to the MFA requirements.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Students are required to meet this requirement in two stages. First, students must submit a two-page writing sample as part of the application to the program. This sample is evaluated by the faculty during the portfolio review. If a student's writing abilities are substandard, a second writing sample must be submitted and reviewed prior to the student's advancement to classified status. Second, students are required to submit a preliminary exhibition statement and project outline to their graduate committee for approval prior to advancement to candidacy.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements.
2. Approval by the department and Graduate Studies.
3. An acceptable baccalaureate (equivalent to California State University, Chico's bachelor of fine art studio) from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by Graduate Studies. No graduate credit is given for courses taken to make up any undergraduate deficiencies.
4. Submission of a written philosophical statement of intention (two pages, double spaced). The applicant's writing skills in the discipline will be evaluated using this writing sample.
5. Presentation of a portfolio of images of work represented in a PDF. Complete information on submission dates, department applications, and procedures is available from the department office, the Graduate Coordinator, or the department's website.
6. Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to testify to the applicant's capabilities and readiness to enter graduate study in studio art.
7. Completion of a minimum of nine units of upper-division coursework in the chosen pattern for the master's degree (ceramics, glass design, painting/drawing, printmaking, or sculpture).
8. Positive recommendations from the faculty in the pattern of concentration and approval of a majority of the full faculty at the time of the portfolio review.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Formation of the Graduate Advisory Committee (by the end of the first semester in residency).
2. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Committee and the Graduate Coordinator.
3. Positive recommendations from all members of the Graduate Advisory Committee.

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion of at least 75 percent of required coursework.
2. Completion of an Advancement to Candidacy Portfolio Evaluation, to be administered by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee, and completion of the final requirement for the Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency. Results of the evaluation are to be filed with the Graduate Coordinator.