Degree Offered
- Master of Arts
Nature of the Program
The non-terminal MA Studio Art program promotes advanced study in a specific discipline in the School of Art & Design. It requires 36 hours in residence and is normally completed in two years or four semesters. M.A. studio art students are required to produce a written thesis and, at the graduate committee's discretion, may be required to hold a thesis exhibition. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Admissions for 2025-2026
The application deadline occurs annually on January 15. There is a two-step process for graduate applications.
Step 1: Apply to West Virginia University Graduate School online. This application will require you to upload your transcripts, resume, letter of intent, three letters of recommendation and pay an application fee. Applicants must have had an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 to be considered for admission.
Step 2: Submit your portfolio to the WVU School of Art & Design.
Submit the following material:
20 images or video documentation of recent work
Applicants may be required to take additional course work after careful review of undergraduate transcripts.
In addition to the application materials listed, transfer students must transfer graduate work completed elsewhere. Transcripts must accompany the written request. The acceptance of transfer credit is not automatic. The graduate faculty, the graduate advisor, and the School Director will determine how much, if any, previous graduate-level work may be transferred. The maximum allowable number of graduate transfer credits toward the degree is nine. All transfer credits must be in place by the end of the first semester.
Major Code: 3729
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Art | 18 | |
| Graduate Painting | ||
| Arts Administration | ||
| Graduate Graphic Design | ||
| Graduate Graphic Design/Professional Practice | ||
| Graduate Sculpture | ||
| Graduate Printmaking | ||
| Graduate Photography | ||
| Alternative Media | ||
| Graduate Ceramics | ||
| Art and Environment | ||
| Independent Study: Graduate Studio | ||
| Special Topics (Mold Making) | ||
| Special Topics (3D Printing) | ||
| Special Topics (Kiln Building) | ||
| Cognates/Electives | 6 | |
| Art History | 6 | |
| Select 2 from the following: | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Native American | ||
| Intro Curatorial Practice | ||
| Greek and Roman | ||
| Medieval | ||
| Medieval Architecture | ||
| History of Stained Glass | ||
| Art Theory | ||
| Modern Art Theory | ||
| Women in Art | ||
| Northern Renaissance | ||
| Italian Renaissance | ||
| Baroque | ||
| American | ||
| Nineteenth Century | ||
| Modern | ||
| Modern Architecture | ||
| GPS-Architect Frank Lloyd Wright | ||
| Print, Propaganda and Art | ||
| The Art of Andy Warhol | ||
| Contemporary | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Graduate Seminar | ||
| ART 696 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| ART 600 | Graduate Exhibition and Thesis | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Major Learning Outcomes
Studio Art
The following are general learning goals for students pursuing a Master of Arts:
- Develop advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and professional decisions in the area of specialization.
- Demonstrate professional competence in the area of specialization before peers and faculty.
- Gain knowledge and skills in one or more areas outside the major.