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Art M.A.

There are two possible emphases for the MA in Art degree, an emphasis in Art History or Studio Art. Students must follow the admission requirements and degree requirements for their chosen emphasis. 

 The Master of Arts with an emphasis in Art History develops scholars and professionals who are knowledgeable about a wide range of art, from Ancient to Contemporary.  Students develop a deep understanding of historical context, formal and stylistic development, as well as the relevant aesthetic theories and scholarly methodologies that define the discipline.  Courses in art history teach students to speak and write clearly and creatively about art through the ages. The M.A. with an emphasis in Art History prepares scholars who plan to continue their graduate education, or who plan to pursue a career in teaching, museums, or arts management.

The Master of Arts with an emphasis in Studio Art develops critical understanding of art, aesthetics, cultural context, and studio practices.  Students will acquire broad based knowledge and skills in studio media (with emphasis on two-dimensional, three-dimensional or mixed-media); personal aesthetic; understanding of movements and concepts in art history; an ability to analyze formal issues and apply accurate terminology to that analysis; abilities to exhibit knowledge of art historical scholarship and methodology verbally and in written form; abilities to organize an exhibition of their art works. The M.A. with an emphasis in Studio Art prepares students to continue their graduate education, become professional studio artists, and prepares scholars who plan to pursue a career in community art education, galleries or museums, or arts management. 

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites and Admission Requirements for MA in Art

  1. Minimum upper-division requirements equivalent to UT Tyler’s B.A. degree in Art History.
  2. A minimum 3.0 grade-point average.
  3. Completion of the appropriate applications for graduate admissions to the University.
  4. A one-page typed statement of intent regarding the purpose and rationale for graduate study.
  5. An original research paper showing competence in the use of the English language and with conducting research.
  6. Curriculum Vita/resume
  7. Three academic letters of recommendation
  8. Official transcripts
  9. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
  10. Applicants for the emphasis in Studio Art must also submit a Portfolio.  The portfolio should consist of 20 individual images on a CD. Digital submissions should be accompanied by a list containing the artist’s name, title, dimensions, media, and date of completion. Three-dimensional works may include multiple views/details.

    MA in Art with an Emphasis in Art History Degree Requirements

    The M.A. in Art with an emphasis in Art History is a 36-hour degree program. Students complete a 6-hour set of Core Courses, 24 hours in art history, and 6 hours of thesis.

    Graduate students should take no more than 9 hours in a regular term and 6 hours during summer terms

    Core Classes required of all students (6 hours)

    ART 5337Theory and Research Methods in Art History
    ART 5336Aesthetics and Criticism
    		or
    ART 5394Contemporary Issues

    Art History Electives (Students choose 24 hours from the following)

    ART 5326Arts Management and Marketing
    ART 5330Advanced Studies in Art History and Criticism
    ART 5342Medieval Art
    ART 5343Graduate Studies in Greek and Roman Art
    ART 5345Graduate Studies in Renaissance Art History
    ART 5346Graduate Studies in Baroque and Rococo Art
    ART 5347Graduate Studies in Nineteenth Century Art
    ART 5348Graduate Studies in Art in America
    ART 5349Graduate Studies in Twentieth-Century Art
    ART 5390Selected Topics in Art
    ART 5394Contemporary Issues
    ART 5399
    		Independent Study
    ART 5687
    		Field Experience in Art

    Thesis (6 hours)

    ART 5395Thesis
    ART 5396Thesis

    Additional Requirements

    1. Residency Requirement: two long term semesters of 9 hours each.
    2. Language Requirement: Students must be proficient in German, French, or another language in consultation with a professor. The language requirement can be fulfilled concurrently with the degree program. Students are required to pass one of the following:
      1. An oral and written proficiency exam given by the Department of Language and Literature (Spanish, French, or Latin)
      2. A nationally standardized examination (such as the MLA Cooperative Foreign Language Test) in their chosen language
      3. Receive a grade of “B” or higher in 12-16 semester hours of college-level classes in a single foreign language.

    MA in Art Emphasis in Studio Art Degree Requirements

    The M. A. in Art with an emphasis in Studio Art is a 36-hour degree program. Students complete a 9-hour set of Core Courses, 21 hours in one of three tracks (three-dimensional, two-dimensional or art history); and 6 hours of thesis or exhibition.

    Graduate students should take no more than 9 hours in a regular term and 6 hours during summer terms.

    Core Classes required of all students (9 hours)

    ART 5336Aesthetics and Criticism
    ART 5394Contemporary Issues
    		One of the following:
    ART 5342Medieval Art
    ART 5343Graduate Studies in Greek and Roman Art
    ART 5345Graduate Studies in Renaissance Art History
    ART 5346Graduate Studies in Baroque and Rococo Art
    ART 5347Graduate Studies in Nineteenth Century Art
    ART 5348Graduate Studies in Art in America
    ART 5349Graduate Studies in Twentieth-Century Art
    ART 5390Selected Topics in Art

    Studio Electives (21 hrs.)

    Studio electives to be chosen from one of three tracks (two -dimensional or three-dimensional or mixed-media)

    Thesis/Exhibition (6 hrs.)

    Additional Requirement

    1. Residency Requirement: two long term semesters of 9 hours each.