Program Overview

Master of Arts in Art and Design

The Master of Arts in Art and Design prepares leaders in artistic industries with embodied professional practice and pedagogy, as well as local and global engagement. This interdisciplinary/integrated degree mirrors the desire to break free of the limits of discipline-specific constraints.

Program Description

When you complete this graduate degree program, you will demonstrate competencies in:

• Critical inquiry, research, and creative practice
• Innovative techniques and technologies to work in art and design
• Transferring skills and knowledge base across disciplines to think critically and to connect research to problem-solving in creative activity
• Historical, contemporary culture, and contexts
• Collaborating on core values for the development of personal narrative that intrinsically values art

Program Format

• The program offers concentrations in Digital Animation, Art Education, or Museum Studies
• Course delivery is 100% online with asynchronous and synchronous courses
• Tuition per credit hour is $393
• The program requires 30 credit hours
• The entry term is Fall
• Time to complete is 1 year full-time
• Application deadlines:
  • Priority: February 1st
  • Final: June 1st

Degree Concentrations

Art Education

The Master of Arts in Art and Design with a concentration in Art Education is designed for licensed teachers currently teaching nationally or internationally, as well as for individuals pursuing careers in art education that do not require teaching licensure. This concentration emphasizes theory-informed practice and the development of student-centered, innovative teaching strategies.

• Art Education Required Courses:
  • ARED 6100 - Exploration of Visual Arts
  • ARED 6105 - Contemporary Teaching Strategies
  • ARED 6110 - Advanced Studio Practice and Reflective Teaching Course
  • ARED 6115 - STEM and Maker Space Studio
  • ARED 6120 - Media Arts
• Required Core Courses:
  • ART 6010 - Context, Culture & Contemporary Practice
  • ART 6020 - Methods, Theory & Criticism
  • ART 6030 - Technologies, Innovation Design Thinking
  • ART 7000 - Thesis: Systemic Inquiry
  • ART 7100 - Thesis: Research & Final
  • Alternatively: ART 7050 - Project: Systematic Inquiry, ART 7150 - Project: Research & Final

Digital Animation

In this concentration, you will pursue advanced creative problems in digital media including frame-to-frame animation, rigged animation, storyboarding, and visual development for film and game media.

• Digital Animation Required Courses:
  • ANIM 6100 - Creative Problems in Digital Animation I
  • ANIM 6105 - Creative Problems in Digital Animation II
  • ANIM 6110 - Research for Commercial Creatives
  • ANIM 6115 - Emoting and Communication for Creatives or ANIM 6117 - Experimental Media
  • ANIM 6120 - Ideation and Iteration for Creatives
• Required Core Courses:
  • ART 6010 - Context, Culture & Contemporary Practice
  • ART 6020 - Methods, Theory & Criticism
  • ART 6030 - Technologies, Innovation Design Thinking
  • ART 7000 - Thesis: Systemic Inquiry
  • ART 7100 - Thesis: Research & Final
  • Alternatively: ART 7050 - Project: Systematic Inquiry, ART 7150 - Project: Research & Final

Museum Studies

Students in the Museum Studies concentration will explore the diversity and function of museums and their contributions to society on a local, regional, national, and global level.

• Museum Studies Required Core Courses:
  • MUSE 6100 - World of Museums
  • MUSE 6105 - Internship/Practical Museum Experience
  • MUSE 6110 - Technologies and Museum Management
  • Electives: Select two of the following for 6 Credit hours
    • MUSE 6115 - Topics in Art History and Museums
    • MUSE 6120 - Art Museums and Curation in Contemporary Contexts
    • MUSE 6125 - Artifact Studies
    • MUSE 6130 - Internship II/Practical Museum
• Required Core Courses:
  • ART 6010 - Context, Culture & Contemporary Practice
  • ART 6020 - Methods, Theory & Criticism
  • ART 6030 - Technologies, Innovation Design Thinking
  • ART 7000 - Thesis: Systemic Inquiry
  • ART 7100 - Thesis: Research & Final
  • Alternatively: ART 7050 - Project: Systematic Inquiry, ART 7150 - Project: Research & Final

Admissions Requirements

• Online Graduate Application with a non-refundable $60 application fee
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from each college and/or university attended
• Grade Point Average (GPA): Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in any related field
• Letter of Application: A narrative describing education, relevant experience, and/or professional background, future goals, and how admission into the MA in Art and Design program will help accomplish these goals
• Art and/or Writing Sample relevant to the concentration
• Resume/CV
• Letters of Recommendation (optional)
• Additional concentration-specific materials (optional)