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.

Requirements for the MA 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 consisting of at least 30 units of coursework.
2. At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.
3. 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).
4. At the time of application, applicants must successfully complete a written comprehensive qualifying examination which will be evaluated for content and form.
5. 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.
6. In addition to the thesis, all candidates for the MA in art must also satisfactorily complete an oral examination.
7. 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 List

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:
ARTH 611	Graduate Studies in Greek Art
ARTH 612	Graduate Studies in Roman Art
ARTH 613	Graduate Studies in Medieval Art
ARTS 697	Independent Study
Group II:
ARTH 671	Graduate Studies in Ancient Mexican Art
ARTH 672	Graduate Studies in Maya Art
ARTH 673	Graduate Studies in Colonial and Modern Mexican Art
ARTH 674	Graduate Studies in Ancient Andean Art
ARTH 675	Graduate Studies in American Indian Art
ARTH 676	Graduate Studies in African Art
Group III:
ARTH 633	Graduate Studies Twentieth-Century Art
ARTH 641	Graduate Studies in Contemporary Art
ARTH 651	Graduate Studies in American Art History
ARTS 697	Independent Study
Electives
Select six units from the following:		6
400/500/600-level art history or upper-division studio courses
Total Units		30

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

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's in art history or related field) from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by Graduate Studies.
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least nine units of the proposed program.
2. Formation of the student's graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
3. Development of the approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator.