The Master of Arts degree provides opportunities for individualized and advanced study in a range of areas: art education, art history, animation, design, fashion, fiber and materials, and studio arts. This program offers students a combination of shared interdisciplinary courses and direct mentorship with faculty in the student’s area of interest. The Master of Arts degree helps students gain a stronger educational and experiential basis for a professional career and provides a solid foundation to those looking to pursue further graduate study.

Applicants are admitted to the MA degree program on the basis of: 

Admission Criteria:

• Application materials that clearly demonstrate advanced level competence in one or more areas of study within Art, goals and motivation for seeking an MA, as well as the ability to pursue graduate-level work.
• Articulation of the proposed area(s) of study matched to faculty expertise.
• BA or BFA degree in Art or relevant field.
• 3.0 GPA or higher for the BA/BFA degree.
• If requested, an in-person interview with the Faculty Review Committee (15-20 minutes).

Application Materials:

• Graduate Application Form, found online through the Cal State LA Office of Admissions.
• Copy of BA or BFA transcripts (not required for BA graduates of Cal State LA).
• A one-to-two-page statement describing the applicant’s goals and motivation for seeking an MA degree at Cal State LA. The statement should include details of the intended area or combination of areas of study within Art and which Culminating Experience the candidate wishes to pursue: a Research Project and Thesis or a Creative Project and Project Report.
• One letter of recommendation from a professional in the field who has direct experience with the applicant’s work through an academic or mentor relationship, and who can attest to their creative abilities and their potential for graduate study.
• Portfolio materials that reflect the applicant’s most successful efforts in their area(s) of interest, and that clearly demonstrate original thought and creative abilities. Submitted as a PDF only (interactive pdfs with links are acceptable). Depending on your area(s) of interest, examples of portfolio content might include:
• A presentation of 5-15 images and/or videos of recent creative work (professional, academic, and/or personal).
• Three research papers with bibliography and endnotes.
• Samples of student artwork from a class you taught (if available) and two lesson plans for K-12 art instruction.
• If an in-person interview is required, the applicant will receive advance notification of the date, the appointment time, and room location. The applicant will meet with the Faculty Review Committee for 15-20 minutes. The committee and the applicant will discuss the portfolio materials, their educational goals, and specific needs and expectations for graduate study. There is also an opportunity for the applicant to ask questions about the program.

Conditionally Classified Admission:

The Faculty Review Committee has the option of granting Conditional Admission to applicants who do not have a BA/BFA in Art or relevant field, or who do not have a 3.0 GPA or higher for the BA/BFA degree. Conditional Admission may require the applicant to complete a minimum 9 unit Qualifying Course program before admission to the graduate program is granted (decided by the Faculty Review Committee). The Qualifying Courses may not be included on the MA degree program. Each course on the Qualifying Course program must be completed with a grade of B or higher (no B-).

Primary Advisor

Upon admission to the graduate program, each student is assigned an individual Primary Advisor from the tenure-line faculty. The student may request a change of Primary Advisor at any time. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with the Primary Advisor on a regular basis. The Primary Advisor provides information and answers questions regarding progress through the graduate program. The Primary Advisor’s role is to advise the student during the process of completing an MA Project or researching and completing a Thesis. This role is different from the Department Graduate Advisor. The Department Graduate Advisor is a faculty member who works with all Graduate Students to provide guidance on policies and procedures, and to coordinate the Graduate program for the Department.

Program Form

Prior to or during the first semester of study, each student must work with their Primary Advisor and the Department Graduate Advisor to define and obtain approval for their plan of study, including selection of electives that support their area of interest. 

Completion of the MA Degree(Culminating Experiences)

Each MA student must complete a Culminating Experience, which is either a Research Project or a Creative Project. A Research Project is documented with a written Thesis, and a Creative Project is documented with a Project Report.

• A Thesis is the written product of a systematic study of a significant problem. It identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. An oral defense of the thesis may be required.
• A Creative Project is a significant undertaking appropriate to the fine and applied arts or to professional fields. It evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It is described and summarized in a written abstract that includes the project’s significance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion or recommendation. An oral defense of the project may be required. A public presentation or exhibition of the project is required.

Research Project (Thesis)

Thesis Proposal

In consultation with their Primary Advisor, the student will develop a Research Proposal. The proposal outlines a research topic, explains the significance of the study, and lays out the methodology. The student is expected to clearly and concisely present their ideas for the Thesis Proposal and be able to defend questions from the graduate faculty. This typically takes place two or three semesters prior to graduation. At this time, the other members of the Thesis Committee are determined.

Thesis Committee - Once the Thesis Proposal is approved, the student is eligible to submit the GS-10 Application for Advancement to Candidacy. It is the student’s responsibility to secure the commitment of a three-person committee consisting of the Primary Advisor to serve as the Thesis Committee Chair and two tenure-line faculty members of the department. One additional member may be from another academic department if approved by the Thesis Committee Chair. It is the Thesis Committee’s responsibility to provide guidance during the research and writing of the Thesis. After the Thesis Committee has been established, the student is required to meet with the Thesis Committee Chair and the other committee members on a regular basis to review the progress on the Thesis, particularly during the semester the student plans to graduate.

Approval of Thesis - The Primary Advisor will guide the student through the process of presenting their Thesis to their Thesis Committee for approval. This may include a formal oral presentation or a “defense” of their research.

Thesis Submission - All candidates must submit an electronic copy of the Thesis according to the university guidelines and deadlines as indicated by the Office of Graduate Studies. The Thesis must follow the guidelines established by the university found in the “Guide to Preparation of Master’s Theses and Project Reports,” copies of which are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. This guide provides information about: the procedures, regulations, and responsibilities governing the Thesis; general requirements for Thesis preparation and acceptance; and format requirements for the Thesis.

Creative Project and Project Report

MA Project Screenings

• Each student is required to present their work to their Project Committee through a series of graduate screenings related to the Project. Typically, these screenings are held during the seventh week of each semester. Consult the Department Graduate Advisor or the Department office for the Screening schedule and deadlines.
• Before participating in a screening, the student must meet with the Primary Advisor for approval and be registered for the semester in which the student plans to screen.
• The Graduate Screening Form must be signed by the Primary Advisor and submitted to the Department of Art office by the deadline of the semester during which the student plans to screen. Typically, this deadline is three weeks prior to the screening date. In advance of the scheduled screening date, the student will be notified of the appointment time and room location. Late sign-ups will not be accepted.
• On the day of the screening, the student is expected to arrive early and present their work in a professional manner. The presentation is 20 minutes. Late arrivals will not be screened.
• There are no screenings during summer session.

Screening #1: Proposal

• The Proposal Screening is typically conducted two semesters prior to the intended graduation semester.
• Project Proposals are to have a specific focus, show a high level of creative individuality and original thought, and require in-depth research and/or experimentation.
• At the screening, the student presents a selection of work in a professional manner that clearly indicates the ideas and direction of the proposal, as well as technical competence in its production. 
• The student is expected to speak clearly and concisely about the ideas for the Creative Project Proposal, and be able to answer questions from the graduate faculty.
• A written Creative Project Proposal that outlines the creative research and explains the purpose and goals of the Creative Project is required to be emailed to the Project Committee one week prior to the screening date.
• The Project Committee will then vote to approve or deny the proposal based on the following criteria:
• Clarity of the proposal;
• Originality of thought, and;
• Quality of research.

Project Committee

Once the Project Proposal is approved, the student is eligible to submit the GS-10 Application for Advancement to Candidacy. It is the student’s responsibility to secure the commitment of a three-person committee consisting of the Primary Advisor to serve as the Project Committee Chair and two tenure-line full-time faculty members of the department. One additional member may be from another academic department if approved by the Project Committee Chair. It is the Project Committee’s responsibility to provide guidance during the execution of the project and writing of the Project Report. After the Project Committee has been established, the student is required to meet with the Committee Chair and the other Committee members on a regular basis to review their progress.

Screening #2: Progress

• The maximum time period between the Proposal Screening and the first Progress Screening is one year. If it has been more than one year since the Proposal Screening, the student must re-screen at the Project Proposal level.
• The purpose of the MA Project Progress Screening is for the student to present work that has been produced specifically for the Creative Project to the Project Committee. This may be experimental work, work-in-progress, completed work, or a combination of these.
• The Project Committee evaluates the progress made on the Creative Project and gives feedback about its direction, its strengths, and its weaknesses.
• Students must pass at least one Project Progress Screening. However, additional Progress Screenings may be required by the Project Committee. The number of Progress Screenings required is directly related to the progress toward the completion of the Creative Project.
• An abstract, outline, draft, and bibliography for the Project Report are required to be emailed to the Project Committee one week prior to the screening date.
• Students who do not pass two consecutive MA Project Progress Screenings are required to re-screen at the Project Proposal level.

Screening #3: Final

• The Final Screening is the presentation of the completed Creative Project as it will be presented or exhibited, along with a plan for presentation/exhibition.
• Only work presented at the Final Screening and approved by the Project Committee may be included in the final presentation/exhibition.
• This work must adhere to the Project Proposal, and it must be professionally finished and presented.
• A complete final draft of the Project Report must be submitted by email to the Project Committee members one week prior to the screening date.

Project Presentation

After the Project Committee has approved the completed work, the Project must be appropriately presented or exhibited to the public according to department requirements. 

Learning outcomes Roadmap - ART MA (2024)