Art MA
Total Units Required: 30
The Master of Arts in Art is an initial graduate degree in art history, designed to prepare students for a variety of professional opportunities (e.g., museum work, teaching) and for entrance to doctoral programs in other institutions. Emphasis is on scholarly research and writing. Master’s students focus on a broad knowledge of the history of art as well as a specific subject area.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
Requirements for the MA in Art
Completion of all requirements as established by the department, the graduate advisory committee, and Graduate Studies, to include:
- Completion of an approved program consisting of at least 30 units of coursework.
- At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.
- Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and thesis (699); not more than a total of 6 units of thesis (699).
- At the time of application, applicants must successfully complete a written comprehensive qualifying examination which will be evaluated for content and form.
- At the end of the graduate student's program, candidates must demonstrate the ability to write and communicate clearly through completion and final approval of a written thesis. An appropriate thesis topic shall be agreed upon by the student and the members of the student's graduate committee. The form of the thesis is determined by regulations described in A Guide to Graduate Studies: Policies, Procedures, and Format (current edition). The thesis, evaluated for both form and content, must be approved prior to the oral examination.
- In addition to the thesis, all candidates for the MA in art must also satisfactorily complete an oral examination.
- Approval by the department and the Graduate Council on behalf of the University.
Completion of an approved program of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Art History Emphasis | ||
| ARTH 600 | Graduate Studies: Art History Theory and Research Methods | 3 |
| ARTS 699T | Masters Study | 1-6 |
| Select six units from each of the following three groups: | 18 | |
Group I: | ||
| Graduate Studies in Greek Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in Roman Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in Medieval Art | ||
| Independent Study | ||
Group II: | ||
| Graduate Studies in Ancient Mexican Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in Maya Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in Colonial and Modern Mexican Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in Ancient Andean Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in American Indian Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in African Art | ||
Group III: | ||
| Graduate Studies Twentieth-Century Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in Contemporary Art | ||
| Graduate Studies in American Art History | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select six units from the following: | 6 | |
400/500/600-level art history or upper-division studio courses | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |
Graduate Grading Requirements
All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Comprehensive Examination - 696, Independent Study - 697, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) 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 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 696, 697, 699P, 699T 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 maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at Chico State subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses in the approved master's degree program. Failure to maintain a 3.0 average in any category will result in academic notice in the master's program. Failure to remedy the deficiency within one semester with appropriate courses approved by the program coordinator may result in disqualification from the master's program. See Graduate Education Policies for more information.
Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, 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. Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.
Graduate Time Limit
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.
Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency
All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Art majors will normally demonstrate their writing competence through their completion of ARTH 600.
Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status
- Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements.
- Approval by the department and Graduate Studies.
- An acceptable baccalaureate (equivalent to California State University, Chico's bachelor's in art history or related field) from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by Graduate Studies.
- Submission of two upper-division art history papers and two letters of recommendation from art history instructors, museum professionals, or others familiar with your ability and prospects in art history.
- Submission of a written statement (minimum of 200 words) concerning personal and professional interests in art history.
Complete information on submission dates and procedures is available from the Art and Art History Department's Graduate Coordinator.
Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status
In addition to any requirements listed above:
Students must have positive recommendations from the faculty in their area of emphasis and approval of a majority of the art faculty at the time of the classification review.
Advancement to Candidacy
In addition to any requirements listed above:
- Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least nine units of the proposed program.
- Formation of the student's graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
- Development of the approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator.
Definition of Blended Programs
A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.
Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.
Blended Art BA (art history option) + Art MA
Eligibility
The blended BA + MA is for highly motivated, well-qualified students. The program allows a student to apply after completing at least 60 units toward their bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Application Procedure
Application deadlines: April 1 for fall start, November 1 for spring start.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended program. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an application fee. GRE scores are not required. Students must meet the requirements outlined below to change to blended graduate status and continue toward the master's degree.
Grading Requirement
Once in the blended program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their remaining undergraduate and graduate semesters.
Transition to Graduate Status
Students can transition to the graduate program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Coordinator will verify graduate program eligibility at the end of the semester in which the bachelor's degree is completed. Qualified students change to graduate status effective the following semester.
Requirements for the Blended BA + MA
The blended program allows up to 12 units from the courses below to count toward both degrees.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 400W | Art History Issues (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 411W | Greek Art and Architecture (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 412W | Roman Art and Architecture (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 413W | Medieval Art and Architecture (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 433W | 20th Century Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 441W | Contemporary Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 451W | American Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 471W | Ancient Mexican Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 472W | Maya Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 473W | Colonial and Modern Mexican Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 474W | Ancient Andean Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 475W | American Indian Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 476W | African Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 500W | Art History: Theory and Research Methods (W) | 3 |