Visual Arts Building, Room 120
(201) 200-3214
Prof. Herb Rosenberg, Chairperson
(201) 200-3241
Dr. Joseph Rodeiro, Graduate Coordinator
(201) 200-3214
Martin Kruck,
Graduate Coordinator
(201) 200-3393
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art is a 60-credit studio art terminal
degree program, requiring a minimum of four terms for completion,
which leads to creative and professional competence for those who
wish to acquire professional expertise in specialized studio areas
or for those seeking to teach at the college level.
The MFA degree specializations include:
Painting and Drawing
Printmaking
Sculpture
Photography
Computer Arts
Graphic Design
Illustration
Jewelry
Metalsmithing
Clay
PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION
In addition to fulfilling the general graduate studies admission
requirements, each applicant must have completed a minimum of a
BFA in art or 82 credits in art, with a minimum grade point average
of 3.0 in art courses. Transcripts of previous college study, a
professional resume, two letters of recommendation, a two-page statement
of purpose relative to interest in and understanding of a direction
of study, and a portfolio of studio work must be sent to the Graduate
Art Coordinator. For each specific studio program, a graduate faculty
committee assesses and evaluates all submitted materials for evidence
of individual capability and demonstrated capacity for professional
work in the student's specific studio area. The department can require
under- graduate courses it deems necessary to satisfy the prior
requirements for participation in the MFA program. Forty-five credits
of the MFA program must be completed at NJCU. Transfer applicants
must fulfill the application requirements requested of those wishing
to enter the MFA program for the first time.
ADVISEMENT
The admissions committee performs preliminary advisement in charting
initial curriculum choices tailored to the needs and backgrounds
of each admitted applicant and assigns a faculty advisor in the
student's specific studio program. Once enrolled in the MFA program,
the student may elect to change advisors within the specific studio
pro-program. The faculty advisor guides the student through the
program, mentors the student's independent studio work, and provides
career guidance and counseling to achieve comprehensive development
of the student's professional potential.
REVIEW/EVALUATION
To assure proper guidance of the student's progress, the periodic
reviews take place in each specific studio program. At the completion
of thirty credits of specified course work, a five-member Art Department
faculty committee reviews and critiques the student's progress.
Successful evaluations permit the student's continuation in the
program. Interim progress evaluations occur at the end of each semester
by an evaluation committee of three Art Department faculty.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
| |
Studio art and related courses |
36 |
| |
Art History courses |
9 |
| |
Aesthetics & Criticism |
3 |
|
ART 660 |
Master Thesis Seminar I |
3 |
|
ART 661 |
Master Thesis Seminar II |
3 |
| |
Non-art course(s) or cooperative education assignment |
6 |
Final, successful completion of specified course work in a given
studio program requires a 3.0 GPA and the presentation of a master's
project (exhibition) and thesis (written document and verbal defense)
for assessment by the five-member committee described above which
determines degree completion. The visual project and the written
thesis are expected to be of comparable quality to professional
work in the field by demonstrating studio talent, conceptually and
technically strong approaches, and informed scholarly research.
The exhibition/thesis, in line with the objectives of the program,
gives evidence of the student's ability to produce a professionally
significant visual body of work and to present his/her aesthetic
ideas competently in written and verbal form.
MASTER OF ARTS IN STUDIO ART
The Master of Arts in Studio Art is a 39-credit degree program designed
to provide continued professional development in a selected specialized
area of the visual arts: fine arts, design and crafts, or communication
design.
Augmented by studies in art history, aesthetics, other art electives
or art education, the program also serves as a foundation for advanced
work at the MFA or doctoral levels.
Of the 39 credits required for the degree, 19 must be taken in the
specialization area, with an additional five credits in other studio
areas. Six credits in art history, aesthetics, and theoretical studies
enhance the studio program. Three credits in non-art courses, education
courses, or cooperative education placements broaden the focused
studio program.
Under faculty supervision, a culminating studio and research project
(six credits) is developed, which leads to either a master's exhibition
and written thesis or an extensive research thesis both of which
are accompanied by an oral defense and supported by slide documentation.
PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION
In addition to fulfilling the general graduate studies admission
requirements, each applicant must have completed a minimum of a
B.A. in art or 58 credits in art, with an overall grade point average
of 3.0 or above.
Transcripts of previous college study, a professional resume, two
letters of recommendation, a two-page statement of purpose relative
to interest in and understanding of a direction of study, and a
portfolio of studio work must be sent to the Graduate Art Coordinator.
The department can require undergraduate courses it deems necessary
to satisfy the prior requirements for participation in the M.A.
program, in particular if a student is applying with less than 58
credits in art.
Students admitted without the status, "matriculated,"
who later wish to matriculate, must have completed twelve credits
in art (nine credits in studio) with a 3.0 average.
Upon completion of six credits, their work will be reviewed by a
faculty committee.
EXHIBITION/MASTER THESIS
Seminar I and II
Final, successful completion of specified course work in a given
studio program requires a 3.0 GPA and the presentation of a master's
project (exhibition) and thesis (written document and verbal defense),
for assessment by the five-member committee of art department faculty
who determine degree completion. The visual project and written
thesis are expected to be of comparable quality to professional
work in the field by demonstrating studio talent, conceptually and
technically strong approaches, and informed scholarly research.
The exhibition/thesis, in line with the objectives of the program,
give evidence of the student's ability to produce a professional-quality
significant visual body of work and to present his/her aesthetic
ideas competently in written and verbal form.
A student may choose to conduct an extensive research thesis, accompanied
by an oral defense and supported by slide documentation, in place
of a culminating studio and research project.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
| Code
|
Title |
Credits |
| |
Studio
art specialization courses |
19 |
| |
Studio
art electives |
5 |
| |
Art
history/aesthetics/theory courses |
6 |
| |
Non-art
course e.g., education or Co-operative education
assignment |
3 |
| ART
660 |
Master
Thesis Seminar I |
3 |
| ART
661 |
Master
Thesis Seminar II |
3 |
ELECTIVES/COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
To develop the student's breadth of competence and expand the course
offerings beyond the specific studio program, students must register
for other courses in the University for a total of 3 credits (MA)
or 6 credits (MFA). In preparation for a profession, students may
be interested in a cooperative education experience or master's-level
academic classes, including education.
As many master's graduates will seek college teaching positions
or work in the business world as independent artists, designers,
or participants in larger arts organizations, the cooperative education
experience provides an opportunity, in a professional setting, for
development and application of special skills for a variety of career
plans appropriate to the student's particular area of emphasis.
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