The LSU College of Art & Design

The School of Art offers two master’s degrees: Master of Fine Arts, for those who want to specialize in a studio art areas; and Master of Arts, in art history either for advanced study or for individuals ultimately seeking a Ph.D. ]

[ School of Art MA/MFA Application (PDF link) ]

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) The M.F.A. degree allows you to concentrate your studies in one of six studio areas. This degree requires full-time residency and a minimum of nine credit hours per semester. The program generally takes three years, and may not take more than five. The School of Art offers opportunities to study abroad in France, England, Mexico, China and Italy.]

Students in the M.F.A. program specialize in one of six concentration areas.
• ceramics
• graphic design
• painting and drawing
• photography
• printmaking
• sculpture

The ceramics program has been ranked 5th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and is equipped with over 10,000 square feet of studio space and a 400 square foot gallery space. The program focuses on creating, building and working with all types of ceramic structures and materials.

While Graphic Design is the largest undergraduate concentration in the School of Art, At the graduate level enjoys a more intimate community of dedicated and adventuresome students, who push each other to excel technically and creatively.

The Painting and Drawing program, the largest graduate concentration, gives advanced students the opportunity to develop a concentrated personal pursuit that challenges their artistic abilities and intellect.

Photography, is intended to expand Students’ prior experiences and challenge them to investigate new possibilities in the medium. Darkrooms and studios are available for work in black and white, color, large format, non-silver, studio lighting and digital photography.

Printmaking moves far beyond the traditional techniques and engages students to develop conceptual and critical thinking while you master a wide range of printmaking processes. You work in exceptional facilities, with a workspace of approximately 8,000 square feet [another place says 10,000], housing lithography, intaglio, book arts and darkroom facilities.

The Sculpture concentration promotes cross-disciplinary investigation and collaborative projects, introducing you to the possibilities of sculpture as your individual aesthetic direction is expanded.

The M.F.A. program requires 60 credit hours for graduation: 48 hours in studio art, 27 of which is in your chosen area of concentration; and 12 hours in art history. As a capstone course, you create and exhibit a thesis project and prepare a written thesis and oral defense of your work.

Master of Art

You may also earn a Master of Arts (M.A.) in art history. The Art History program is designed for students seeking the M.A. degree,, and also for those who wish to continue toward a Ph.D. degree at another institution. The art history curriculum covers a broad range of courses in ancient, medieval, renaissance, baroque, modern, Asian and American art. The degree normally takes two years and may take no longer than five years. Most students take nine hours per semester to complete the degree; no minor area of concentration is required. This program provides you with the background and environment you need to become both visually and intellectually articulate in the field of art history.
The M.A. program requires 30 - 36 semester hours, including meeting the foreign language requirement, completing a written or non-thesis option, and an examination. Your major professor oversees all activities. ]

In order to offer additional exposure to the professional art world, the school is committed to providing a continuing program of visiting artists. Visitors have included Ann Hamilton, Robert Storr, Mauricio Lasansky, Michael Lucero, John Szarkowski, Gregory Amenoff, Alice Aycock, Rudy Pozzati, Emmet Gowin, Elaine DeKooning, Warren MacKenzie, Linda Benglis, Grace Knowlton, and Elizabeth Murray. M.F.A. graduates continue to have notable success in professional art careers, teaching, arts administration, and many other allied fields.]

DEGREE PROGRAMS

M.F.A. Degree

Full-time residency required for the duration of the M.F.A. degree.
Five years maximum, three years average for completion of the degree.
Minimum of nine credit hours per fall and spring semesters.
Opportunities to study abroad in France, England, Mexico, China, and Italy. These programs frequently offer art history as well as studio credit.
Areas of Specialization—ceramics, graphic design, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
Requirements for Graduation: 60 semester hours - 48 in studio art, 27 in area of concentration, 12 in art history; exhibition of specific thesis project in studio, written thesis and oral defense of work.

M.A. Degree in Art History

Five years maximum, two years average for completion of the degree
Two semesters per year; 18 hours per year.
No minor area(s) of concentration required.
No special M.A. programs within department.
Opportunities to study abroad in France, England, Mexico, China, and Italy. These programs frequently offer art history credit.
Requirements for graduation—30-36 semester hours: foreign language, written thesis or nonthesis option, examination; Major professor oversees all activities.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Assistantships are awarded to graduate students for a period not to exceed three years for M.F.A. students or two years for M.A. students. Awards are made by review of applications and recommendation by the graduate faculty to the director of the school. Assistantships require set hours of service to the school and are awarded at one of two levels: 15 hours per week at $5,400 per year or 20 hours per week at $6,300 per year. All applicants are eligible for consideration for assistantship award. Please contact the School of Art for application materials.]

FACILITIES. For M.F.A. students, generous private and semi-private studio space is available. Primary studios and workshops are well equipped with a wide range of equipment and computers. Students may make arrangements to exhibit their work in the School of Art Gallery. Art books are housed in Middleton Library and in the Rare Book Room of Hill Memorial Library. The LSU Museum of Art is affiliated with the School of Art.]