Details and specific course Requirements of the various Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degree programs follow.

The next sections refer specifically to the procedures and requirements for admission to, advancement through, and completion of the various graduate degree programs in the Department of Art.

Admission Procedure

Admission to the graduate program at California State University, Los Angeles and the Department of Art requires admission by the university and admission into a specific option degree program in the department.

Admission to the University

Applicants must file a complete application as described in the CSU admission booklet. Admission to the university is required prior to admission to the department graduate program.

Admission to a specific option degree program in Art

In addition to the university requirements, an applicant must have a baccalaureate degree in art from an accredited institution or complete the undergraduate requirements specified by one of the following options:

• Studio Arts
• Design
• Art History
• Art Education
• Fashion and Textiles

A review committee in each option admits applicants based on their preparation and demonstrated abilities to complete advanced study at the graduate level.

Applicant Review Schedule

Reviews for admission to the department graduate programs are scheduled in Fall, Winter and Spring quarters.

Deadlines for submitting review Materials:

MA/MFA Admission Review:

Option Requirements

Studio Arts Option

(painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography) Applications are reviewed by the studio arts review committee and must include:

• Portfolio of creative work
• A statement of applicant’s objectives
• Two letters of recommendation
• A copy of academic transcripts

An interview with the review committee may be requested. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in upper division courses in studio arts.

Design Option

(graphic design, illustration, computer animation) Applications are reviewed by the design review committee and must include:

• Portfolio of creative work
• A statement of applicant’s objectives
• Two letters of recommendation
• A copy of academic transcripts

An interview with the review committee may be requested. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in upper division courses in design.

Art History Option

Applications are reviewed by the Art History review committee and must include:

• Portfolio of three art history research papers
  
• A statement of applicant’s objectives
  
• Two letters of recommendation
  
• A copy of academic transcripts

An interview with the review committee may be requested. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in 24 upper division units in art history. Applicants must successfully complete 12 units of first-year French or German prior to achieving classified standing.

Art Education Option

Applications are reviewed by the art education review committee and must include:

• Educational portfolio of applicant’s own creative work and/or applicant’s student work, lesson/unit plans, and writing samples.
  
• A statement of applicant’s objectives
  
• Two letters of recommendation
  
• A copy of academic transcripts

An interview with the review committee may be requested. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in 24 upper division units in Art.

Fashion and Textiles Option

Applications are reviewed by the fashion and textiles review committee and must include:

• Portfolio of creative work
  
• A statement of applicant’s objectives
  
• Two letters of recommendation,
  
• A copy of academic transcripts

An interview with the review committee may be requested. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in upper division courses in fashion and textiles.

For specific details of option requirements, applicants may write or call the Department of Art at 323-343-4010.

Admission Status:

Applicants who are admitted to by the University and pass the department option review are assigned either classified or conditionally classified status.

Classified Status:

Student has met all the university and department requirements, including option writing requirements, passed the department option review, and filed an approved graduate program.

Conditionally Classified Status:

Student has not fulfilled one or more requirements in the following areas: GPA, prerequisites, portfolio, or writing. Conditionally classified students may enroll in courses under the guidance of an option adviser to fulfill requirements; however, the MA/MFA admission review must be repeated. Coursework taken as a conditionally classified graduate student to fulfill undergraduate prerequisites may not be used to satisfy any unit requirement for the graduate degree programs.

Advancement to Candidacy

Candidacy denotes that the student is fully qualified to complete the final stages of the MA or MFA degree and is thus eligible to enroll in ART 599 or 599M. In order to attain candidacy, the student must meet the university requirements for admission to candidacy as outlined in the catalogue and satisfactorily complete the graduate writing requirement. In addition, students must have completed a minimum of 23 units for the MA degree, or 45 units for the MFA degree on the official program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; and secure commitment of three tenured/tenure-track faculty members of the department to serve as members of the student’s MA/MFA project or thesis committee, with one member agreeing to serve as chair. This committee must approve the student’s project proposal or thesis proposal as well as the final project or thesis. Additional information regarding advancement to candidacy is available from the department office.

Options

• Studio Arts Option 
• Design Option 

Completing Requirements for the MFA

All students must meet university requirements for the Master of Fine Arts degree as outlined in the catalog including demonstration of competence in written English. MFA candidates must exhibit their graduate project and submit a project abstract according to stipulated department and university requirements.

MFA Project

MFA students are required to complete and exhibit an advanced visual arts project in Studio Arts or Design.

1. Option Requirements: The graduate program must include a total of 90 units, with a minimum of 82 units in art and at least 60 units in 500-level courses, including the required seminars and ART 599M MFA Project. Electives to complete the remaining units may be drawn from approved 400 and 500-level courses. Students must meet the requirements of the designated option. Graduate advisers must be consulted regarding specific option requirements.
2. Progress Reviews: Continuation in the MFA graduate program in Studio Arts and Design is determined by progress reviews of each student’s project by the Option Review Committee. These reviews are held upon completion of Advancement to Candidacy with the approval of the graduate adviser, and at intervals during the development of the project.
3. Exhibition: After Advancement to Candidacy the project is developed under the guidance of the candidate’s project chair with the assistance of the project committee. Upon the committee approval of the completed work, Studio Arts and Design projects will be appropriately exhibited in accordance with department requirements.
4. Written Abstract: All candidates must submit a written abstract of the project following the stipulated university requirements. The abstract includes the projects significance, objectives, methodology, and a conclusion or recommendation. Visual documentation (i.e., slides, video, CD) of the project must be included in the report. The project and written abstract must be approved by the candidate’s project committee and department chair, and filed with the library thesis coordinator according to timelines established.