Graduate Programs

The graduate programs in BGSU's School of Art have strong national reputations. Within these programs, students will find outstanding faculty members and a broad range of studio and academic disciplines housed in excellent facilities. These various disciplines are united by a deep commitment to excellence, creativity, and scholarship, and they are sustained by rigorous examination of contextual, conceptual, and technical issues informing students' work. In the graduate programs at BGSU, we strive to create a productive community of diverse artists and scholars unified by our commitment to excellence. Students come to BGSU from all over the United States and the world. Graduates of our programs continue to achieve high levels of professional recognition, both in terms of exhibition and publication successes, and in obtaining college and university teaching jobs, and museum and community arts positions.

All students accepted into the MFA program with a graduate assistantship are assigned shared studio space. MA in Art History students benefit from a shared, collaborative space with a small private library. In addition, there is a graduate student workroom/lounge with computers and a printer for all students in both MFA and MA programs.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Master of Fine Arts in art program is designed to produce professionally competent artists who are aware of the great traditions in art and related cultural fields. The intent of the program is to produce graduates who are more than mere technicians in art. Students receive training in the fundamentals, and achieve a level of competence that enables them to contribute to the field of art. The MFA program prepares students to become either professional artists or teachers of art after receiving the degree.

MFA students may choose from the following majors:

  • Digital Arts (includes Computer Animation, Digital Imaging and Interactive Media)
  • Three-Dimensional Studies (includes Ceramics, Glass, Jewelry/Metals and Sculpture)
  • Two-Dimensional Studies (includes Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking)
     

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students majoring in a studio area work with the Graduate Coordinator to choose the student's Major Professor. The Major Professor will work with the Graduate Coordinator to oversee the student's matriculation process and will serve as the chair of the student's Graduate Review Committee. The Graduate Review Committee is composed of three graduate faculty members, including the Major Professor.

Students entering the MFA degree program have probationary status during the first 15 semester hours of work. In the semester immediately following the completion of this 15-hour requirement (summer excepted), the student must pass the initial review for permission to continue in the program.

Candidates for the MFA degree must complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours at the graduate level (only grades of "C" or better will count as hours toward graduation).

  • 21 semester hours within studio specialization
  • 12 semester hours of studio elective courses (may come from the specialization)
  • 9 semester hours of studio critique
  • 6 semester hours of art history class
  • 3 semester hours of academic elective (must be graduate level)
  • 3 semester hours of general elective (must be graduate level)
  • 3 semester hours of pedagogy
  • 3 semester hours of exhibition research

Awarding of the degree is contingent upon recommendation for graduation by the Graduate Review Committee after a final review of work submitted by each candidate.

Total hour requirements may be reduced for students who can apply credit from previous graduate work. Students are required to complete a minimum of two full-time semesters in residence.

The MFA exhibition, required of each student, is the culmination of the candidate's work in his/her studio discipline. The exhibition is a major show including an in-lieu-of-thesis statement and documentation of the work, which must be accompanied by an exhibition brochure. MFA exhibitions are usually held spring semester in the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery in the Fine Arts Center, though exceptions can be made. The MFA exhibition must be approved by the Graduate Review Committee.

ADMISSION

Prospective graduate students need to apply to both the Graduate College and the School of Art. MFA candidates are required to submit a portfolio and application materials.

Applying to the Graduate College
Applying to the School of Art

Sample Graduate Program

Use this schedule for guidance when filling out the tentative Degree Program form:

Two Years

FIRST YEAR

Fall
Studio Specialization (6 hrs)
Studio Elective (3 hrs)
Art 6010 (3 hrs)
Art history 5XXX or 6XXX Seminar (3 hrs)

SECOND YEAR

Fall
Studio Specialization (3 hrs)
Studio Elective (6 hrs)
Studio Critique (3 hrs)
Academic Elective (3 hrs)

Spring
Studio Specialization (6 hrs)
Pedagogy (3 hrs)
Studio Critique (3 hrs)
Art history 5XXX or 6XXX Seminar (3 hrs)

 

Spring
Studio Specialization (6 hrs)
Studio Elective (3 hrs)
General Elective (3 hrs)
Exhibition Research (3 hrs)

MA IN ART EDUCATION

The MA in Art Education program at BGSU emphasizes the cultivation of arts-inspired relationships among educators within K-12 Art Education, Community Arts Education, Art Museum Education, and Visual/Sensory Literacy. The program guides students in developing advanced skills that include modeling and facilitating innovative curriculum and pedagogy, leading collaborative artistic explorations, engaging contemporary studio art practices, and teaching students the habits of mind essential to the development of the whole student.

With expanded artistic adeptness and enhanced professional competences, the diverse students of this program will engage with the visual arts community through a wider lens. Graduates may choose to work within state/non-state sanctioned art institutions; earn continuing education credits and/or CCP certificate; or pursue teaching art within other communities. The intention of the degree is to engage art educators in the development and implementation of well-informed visual arts curriculum in which the complex identities of all people are honored.

Blended Program:

Offered 70% online, the part-time, MA in Art Education degree program builds upon the well-established reputation of the School of Art’s Division of Art Education and the exceptionally high placement rate of its BFA graduates.

Studio Arts at BGSU:

Studio programs at the School of Art include ceramics, digital arts, glass, jewelry & metalsmithing, photography, drawing & painting, printmaking, and graphic design. Ceramics, graphic design, and digital arts rank among the nation’s top according to ceramicartsdaily.org and animationcareerreview.com. Facilities also include three art galleries, state of the art computer labs, and classrooms for Art History and the First Year Program.

College Credit Plus (CCP) Certificate:

Under development is a College Credit Plus (CCP) certificate for non-degree seeking art teachers in the state of Ohio.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Visual Arts Education Core – Online (18 hours)                                                         

ARTE 6010: Perspectives in Visual Arts Education (3)

ARTE 6012: Contemporary Art Practices in the Visual Arts Classroom (3)

ARTE 6020: Contemporary Issues & Advocacy in Visual Arts Education (3)

ARTE 6030: Research Methods in Visual Arts Education (3)

ARTE 6900: Seminar in Visual Arts Education (6)

Studio Arts (9 hours)                                                                                                        

Students are encouraged to earn Studio Arts credits during summers at the School of Art at BGSU; however, courses offered through other accredited programs – including international programs – will be reviewed for transfer credit.*

Art History (3 hours)                                                                     

Students are encouraged to earn Art History credits (online or face-to-face) at the School of Art at BGSU; however, courses offered through other accredited programs – including international programs – will be reviewed for transfer credit.*

TOTAL 30 credit hours

* No more than nine credit hours may be transferred from other institutions.

 

ADMISSION

Prospective graduate students in the MA in Art Education need to apply to both the Graduate College and the School of Art.

Applicants must have:

·       An undergraduate degree in art education or related degree;

·       A minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA;

·       Access to internet for general computer use;

Applicants submit:

·        Graduate College requirements (www.bgsu.edu/graduate.html)

·        Program requirements

        o   Contact information for three referees

        o   Images: personal artwork & student work

        o   Teaching Philosophy

        o   Statement of research interests in Art Education

Apply to the Graduate College

Apply to School of Art through our Slideroom portal by 11:59pm on July 30th, 2021

MA IN ART HISTORY

The Master of Art with in Art History allows students to pursue advanced study with internationally recognized faculty whose specialties include African and Caribbean art and culture, ancient and medieval art, Renaissance art, modern and contemporary art and architecture, and photography. Art History graduate students benefit from being housed within an active studio art environment. The Art History Division invites outstanding visiting speakers each semester. Art History students have the opportunity to take classes not only in the School of Art's program, but in some of the University's nationally recognized programs including American Culture Studies, Women's Studies, Ethnic Studies, Popular Culture, Creative Writing, Theater and Film, History, Africana Studies, Musical Arts, Sociology, and Psychology. BGSU's proximity to the Toledo Museum of Art and other nearby venues gives students the advantage of close contact with some of the nation's finest art collections. These venues offer many excellent examples of art from all periods and cultures, and special lectures and symposia. Our graduates have gone on to prestigious doctoral programs, as well as into careers at major museums, art institutions, and universities in the US and abroad.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for the MA in Art History must complete a minimum of 33 semester credit hours at the graduate level (only grades of "C" or better will count as hours toward graduation).

  • Coursework for the MA in Art History, generally completed within two years, comprises of:
            - 3 hours of ARTH 5900: Professional Practices in Art History.
            - 9 hours in 5000-level seminar courses.
            - 9 hours in 6000-level seminar courses.
            - 6 hours are at either 5000- or 6000-level.

  • 3 hours in studio art or related academic course inside or outside the School of Art.
  • 3 hours / or examination equivalency to fulfill the language requirement.
  • Master's Thesis, which must be submitted to thesis committee for approval at a minimum of 12 weeks prior to Graduate College deadline for final submission of all work for graduation, and students must be enrolled in ART 6990: Thesis Research during the final semester.

In addition to the 33 credit hours of coursework, and as a prerequisite to admission to MA degree candidacy and thesis work, students enrolled in the M.A. degree program in Art History must:

  • Submit a Tentative Degree Program (TDP) form to the Graduate College, in which students present their intention to fulfill Plan I requirements of the Graduate College (TDP is submitted end of first semester enrolled, eg. Fall 1).
  • Demonstrate reading proficiency in an approved second language of scholarship, determined in consultation with the student's advisor (who will be one of the full-time faculty in art history). Proficiency is usually certified by a "B-level" examination (usually taken in spring of their first year), or through the successful completion of a Master's equivalency language course (usually taken in the summer, if one is offered, if student does not pass the language examination in spring). For specific information on the administration of the "B-level" examination or the language equivalency course, students should contact the appropriate language department. (Students are required to bring the "yellow" form to the B-level examination to ensure accurate recording of the exam).
  • Declare chosen area of research specialization and arrange for Thesis Chair during second semester of study (usually Spring 1). The Thesis Chair, accompanied by two additional committee members, will supervise the student's progress toward the degree.
  • Submit an internal (Division of Art History only) "MA in Art History Thesis Topic Approval Form" signed by student, advisor, and all other members of the thesis committee.
  • Submit an MA thesis topic to Thesis Chair and committee for approval. The approved topic must in turn be submitted to and approved by the Graduate College (using appropriate form) prior to taking the MA comprehensive examinations.
  • Complete a Master's Thesis in consultation with student's thesis committee. Please keep in mind that student must submit their M.A. thesis to the thesis committee a minimum of 7 weeks prior to the Graduate College's deadline for graduation-this time frame includes 4 weeks for committee members to read and comment, and a minimum of 2-3 weeks for the student to work on revisions. Also please keep in mind that the Graduate College deadline is surprisingly early (usually about 6 weeks prior to graduation). Thus, for a December graduation, all theses must be submitted to the thesis committee in early Fall, and for a May graduation, all these must be submitted to the thesis committee in early Winter (late January, early February). Of course, students will be working with their committee chair prior to submitting the thesis to the committee so that the thesis submitted is the best it can be (eg, do not submit a first draft to the committee for approval!).
  • Give a professional public lecture, in coordination with the Thesis Chair, of the thesis material as a final component of the MA degree.
  • Adhere to all important College of Arts and Sciences deadlines in proposing and completing MA thesis and Comprehensive Exams. Students are expected to contact the College to make sure they are aware of and working with the most up-to-date deadlines for their cohort.

For more information on the Graduate College's requirements and guidelines, please see the Thesis and Dissertation Handbook here.

ADMISSION

Prospective graduate students need to apply to both the Graduate College and the School of Art. MA Art History candidates are required to submit application materials.

Applying to the Graduate College
Applying to the School of Art

SAMPLE GRADUATE PROGRAM

Use this schedule for guidance when filling out the tentative Degree Program form:

FIRST YEAR

Fall 
5000-level Art History lecture (3 hrs)
5000-level Art History lecture (3 hrs)
5000-level or 6000-level Studio or Academic Elective(3 hrs)
6000-level Art History

Summer 
"B" level language course if student failed in the Spring

SECOND YEAR

Fall 
6000-level Art History (3 hrs)
5000-level or 6000-level Art History (3 hrs)
ARTH 5980: Readings in Art History (3 hours)(optional)

Spring 
5000-level Art History lecture (3 hrs)
5000-level or 6000 level Art History lecture (3 hrs)
6000-level Art History Seminar (3 hrs)
ARTH 5900 Professional Practices in Art History

Spring

ART 6990 Thesis Research (1-3 hrs)
ARTH 5900 Professional Practices in Art History (3 hrs)(optional)
ARTH 5980 Readings in Art History (3 hrs)(optional)

  • You must declare an area of specialization and committee chair the first Spring Semester
  • After completing 18 credit hours, you must schedule comprehensive examinations.
  • MA comprehensive examination should be taken early in second Fall semester.
  • Thesis topic application must be submitted prior to taking MA comprehensive examinations.
  • Tentative Degree Program is due at the end of first semester of study.

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Marisa Cline
419-372-2786
mlcline@bgsu.edu

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School of ART

1000 Fine Arts Center
Bowling Green, OH, 43403-0204
(419) 372-2786
Fax: (419) 372-2544
artschool@bgsu.edu

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Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the graduate degree, students in Art are expected to be able to:

  • Produce creative works or scholarly projects integrating knowledge of art or art history specialization.
  • Illustrate a breadth of understanding of various specializations within art or art history.
  • Evaluate area of research in relation to contemporary art.
  • Evaluate area of research in relation to historical theories and art.
  • Organize a professional art exhibition or produce an art historical research project.

Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Art program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and is in good standing.

Professional Licensure (If applicable)

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Art program does not lead to professional licensure.

Gainful Employment (If applicable)

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Art program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.


Art Education - Master of Arts

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the graduate degree, students in Art Education are expected to be able to:

  • Analyze the changing knowledge base of visual arts education including visual culture, contemporary art, student development research, and critical engagements with technology;
  • Appraise verbal, visual, and written communication that supports effective and sustained research, exploration, and collaboration with others concerning issues related to the fields of visual arts education;
  • Compare and contrast independent as well as collaborative qualitative research methodologies that organize data and assess applied theory, field-based analysis, and strategies of design thinking;
  • Examine and distinguish developmental and leadership opportunities among those who design, write, and apply high quality curricula, assessment plans, and transformative learning within visual arts education;
  • Perform public advocacy, generate consensus, and initiate positive outcomes for diverse communities of learners within K-12 Art Education, Community Arts Education, Art Museum Education, and visual/sensory literacy programs;
  • Prioritize reflective practices that inform the personal and professional development of artist-teachers; and,
  • Create new constructs for content knowledge, research results, artistic skills, leadership experiences, and the value of human diversity within future teaching responsibilities.

Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Art Education program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and is in good standing.


Professional Licensure (If applicable)

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Art Education program does not lead to professional licensure.

Gainful Employment (If applicable)

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Art Education program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.


Art History - Master of Art

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the graduate degree, students in Art History are expected to be able to:

  • Produce creative works or scholarly projects integrating knowledge of art or art history specialization.
  • Illustrate a breadth of understanding of various specializations within art or art history.
  • Evaluate area of research in relation to contemporary art.
  • Evaluate area of research in relation to historical theories and art.
  • Organize a professional art exhibition or produce an art historical research project.

Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Art History program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and is in good standing.


Professional Licensure (If applicable)

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Art History program does not lead to professional licensure.

Gainful Employment (If applicable)

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Art History program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.