ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: GRAD

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics at Louisiana State University is a 60 hour program with the normal residency to be completed in three years. A student will be required to enroll in Art History courses as well as studio courses.

At the end of each semester a committee of the Graduate Faculty will meet with the student to review the work and discuss whether the work meets specific aesthetic and philosophic standards. If these requirements are met, a student may be passed on to thesis in the third or fourth semester.

The thesis is a self-generated project which will demonstrate the student’s creative abilities. The student will write a thesis statement, pass an oral review, and have a public exhibition of the thesis work to complete the requirements for the M.F.A. degree.

REQUIREMENTS

GRADS IN CERAMICS: 60 HOURS TOTAL IN 3 YEARS

Required - 4 Electives Total:
3 Art Electives and 1 Open Elective = 12 hours

Required - 4 Art Histories Total = 12 hours

Required - 1 Year (last) of Thesis:
ART 8000 = 12 hours

Required - 1 Visiting Artist Seminar = 3 - 6 hours
The faculty believes strongly in exposing students to professionalism through visiting artists and exhibitions. Recent visitors to the school have included Kara Walker, Ann Hamilton, Peter Schjeldahl, Robert Storr, and Vito Acconci - to name a few.

Required - 2 Years of Coursework
ART 7600 = for remaining amount of hours

First semester grads often only register to take one course besides 6 hours of graduate seminar in ceramics, 7600. This additional course could be any of the listed requirements or electives below. Often, students opt to take an Art History or a Studio Elective so that they get acclimated to courses and faculty in other areas within the School of Art.

TOP

FINANCIAL AID

Full teaching and/or studio assistantships are available for all qualified students. These assistantships are awarded by the faculty and are based on the student’s portfolio application. The stipend for 20 hours of work per week for nine months is $6,300. Approximately $2,900 will be deducted to cover registration and university fees. The approximate monthly salary of a graduate student on a full assistantship is $650.00.

There is also the possibility of a $3,000.00 per year Graduate Enhancement Award. This award, given by the Graduate School, through the School of Art is highly competitive and requires at least a 3.5 minimum GPA.

TOP

ADMISSION CRITERIA

a. Portfolio of 20 digital images
b. 3.00 grade point average
c. Three (3) letters of recommendation
d. Personal letter of intent

We always encourage personal interview/campus visits. Prospective students often like to see LSU before deciding to apply. The campus grounds may be seen at any time during the week and, generally, buildings are open on weekends.

The LSU School of Art Office can be reached by calling: (225) 578-5411, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Central Time.

TOP

DEADLINES

Applications must be completed by February 1 for entrance in the Fall semester.

To apply, please send the completed School of Art Application form, a portfolio of 20 images of recent work on CD, a self-addressed stamped envelope (for returning CD if desired), a letter of intent, and three letters of recommendation to:

Graduate Coordinator
School of Art
123 Art Building
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

The completed Application for Admission to Graduate School form and two official transcripts must be sent separately to:

The Office of Graduate Admissions
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

The application form and a Graduate School Catalogue ($3.00) can be obtained from the following address:

The Office of Graduate Planning
127 David Boyd Hall
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

TOP