Program: Art, M.F.A. - San Diego State University

Apr 01, 2025

2023/2024 University Catalog

(Major Code: 10022) (SIMS Code: 660503)

Admission to the Degree Curriculum

Admission to the Master of Fine Arts degree program is limited to the fall semester. Applications and portfolios for the annual graduate review must be submitted to the graduate adviser by January 12.

All applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration . In general, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in studio art or the equivalent from an accredited institution, including 12 units of art history. A grade point average of 3.25 or better in upper division art courses is required.

Applicants must also be able to show that they are adequately advanced to carry out projects that are up to graduate level standards. This requirement will be measured by a review of a digital portfolio or recent work by the graduate faculty in the area of focus.

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to meeting the requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , all students must have (1) completed a minimum of 27 units of program coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 [B]; and (2) been reviewed by a selected group of graduate faculty and received approval of an acceptable body of graduate work completed since classified standing fulfilling the requirements of the area of emphasis.

Specific Requirements

Candidates for the M.F.A., in addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing, must complete a 60-unit graduate program which includes a minimum of 45 units at the 600- and 700-level.

ART 612 - Graduate Interdisciplinary Critique Seminar Units: 3
ART 694 - Art and Design Theory and Criticism I Units: 3
ART 760 - Art and Design Theory and Criticism II Units: 3
ART 791 - Seminar in Professional Practice of Art and Design Units: 3
ART 792 - Pedagogy of Art and Design Units: 1-3

Studio Art Emphasis Areas

Normally, a student will focus on one of the studio art emphasis areas (ceramics, furniture design and woodworking, graphic design, interior design, jewelry and metalworking, multimedia, painting and printmaking, and sculpture). Six units must be included in art history, art criticism, and aesthetics courses. Nine units must be included on the program from studio electives outside the area of emphasis or electives in other departments.

Must Be Included on the Program

ART 799A - Thesis or Project Units: 3

With Approval

With approval of the director and graduate adviser, a student may focus on a program of study combining two studio art fields. In addition, there will be an oral examination of each candidate by the graduate faculty of the School of Art and Design. This examination will occur at the time of the candidate’s master’s exhibition, and will encompass an in-depth discussion of the candidate’s thesis project.

Additional Requirements

No more than 15 units of graduate work may be transferred from another institution. Requests for more than six units must be approved by a committee of representatives from the area of emphasis. Applicants holding an M.A. degree in studio art from an accredited institution may transfer up to 30 units upon review and recommendation of the faculty in the area of emphasis, and approval of the graduate adviser of the School of Art and Design. Candidates must be prepared to spend at least two semesters (24 units) in residence as full-time students. Coursework taken as a graduate student to fulfill undergraduate deficiencies may not be used to satisfy any unit requirement for the M.F.A. degree program. A 3.0 grade point average must be maintained at all times. Continuation in the program will be determined by a review of each candidate by the graduate faculty in the emphasis area. This review will be held upon completion of 30 units in the M.F.A. program, or at any time upon request of the graduate adviser.

Thesis and Projects in Art

The project required for the Master of Fine Arts degree is an original body of creative artwork accompanied by a written report. Written reports accepted in satisfaction of a requirement for the master’s degree are cataloged and maintained in the SDSU library. A softbound copy of the written report accompanying a master’s thesis exhibition must be provided by the candidate and will be retained in the School of Art and Design’s graduate advising office.