Art and Design
(Including Art Education, Art History, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Metals, Painting, Photography, New Media, and Sculpture)
Interim Executive Associate Director: Alan Mette
Associate Director: Joseph Squier
Assistant Director/Graduate Director, Conrad Bakker, cbakker@illinois.edu
Coordinators of Graduate Studies:
Anne D. Hedeman- MA; Doctor of Philosophy in Art History, ahedeman@illinois.edu
parsonsm@illinois.edu
For information contact: Marsha Biddle
143 Art and Design Building
408 East Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-0642
mbiddle@illinois.edu
Major: Art and Design
Degree offered: M.F.A.
Concentrations: Crafts, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Metals, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture
Major: Art Education
Degrees offered: Ed.M., M.A., Ph.D.
Graduate Concentrations: Writing Studies (Ph.D. only)
Major: Art History
Degrees offered: M.A., Ph.D.
Graduate Concentrations: Medieval Studies (available to M.A. and Ph.D.); Writing Studies (Ph.D. only)
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Art Education or Art History and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The School of Art and Design offers the Master of Arts in Art Education and in Art History, the Master of Fine Arts in Art and Design, the Doctor of Philosophy in Art Education, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Art History. In addition to the listed concentrations, we also offer a specialization in New Media in the M.F.A. program.
Admission
Applications are considered for Fall Semester admissions only. The Art history Program requires Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. International applicants or applicants whose second language is English must present a TOEFL score of at least 590 on the paper-based version, 250 score on the Computer-based exam, and a score of 96 on IBT exam. Applications are not currently being accepted for the concentration in Printmaking.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate studies requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Education, Art Education
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTE 402, 505, 502 | 12 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | Candidates must spend at least two semesters or the equivalent in residence. |
| Certification requirements, if needed | 40-44 |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
The program of study leading to the degree of Master of Education in Art Education is designed to provide advanced level study for students of two main kinds. It serves as professional development for art teachers and supervisors in the public schools and as preparation for those interested in a variety of careers, such as museum education, arts advocacy or community arts.
In addition to required courses in art education, students may choose electives in studio, art education or art history, and any other graduate courses offered by the university that complement their studies or professional aspirations. Specific course selection is determined in consultation with the student's adviser. Students may simultaneously study for teaching certification but graduate credit is not usually granted for such study. A thesis is not required.
Master of Arts, Art Education
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| ARTE 402, 501, 505, 502 | 16 |
| Thesis Hours Required–ARTE 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 4 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | Candidates must spend at least two semesters or the equivalent in residence. |
| Certification requirements, if needed | 40-44 |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
The program of study leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Art Education is designed to provide advanced level professional study for students who are interested in research in art education. It can serve as preparation for a variety of careers, such as museum education, community arts, arts advocacy, arts policy formation; professional development for art teachers and supervisors in the public schools; and as preparation for the doctoral degree.
In addition to required courses in art education, students can choose electives from studio, art education and art history, and any other graduate courses offered by the university that complement their studies or professional aspirations. Specific course selection is determined in consultation with the student's adviser. Students may simultaneously study for teaching certification but graduate credit is not usually granted for such study. A thesis is required.
Master of Arts, Art History
| Required Courses | Thesis Option-Required Hours | Non-thesis Option-Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate hours in the history of art and architecture, including 16 hours in art history graduate seminars | 24 | 24 |
| Language Requirement: Proficiency in a language outside of English and appropriate to the student's field of study must be demonstrated by the end of the first year of residence. | ||
| Thesis Hours Required– ARTH 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 2 min | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 32 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements: | Scholarly essay required | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 | 2.75 |
This program provides basic preparation for teaching at the college level, background in the history of art for museum work, and preliminary study for the doctoral degree. In addition to the general requirements, the prerequisite for admission is ordinarily an undergraduate degree in art history or a strong preparation in related humanistic studies. Applicants with little background in art history but who have done exceptionally well as undergraduates in other disciplines will be seriously considered. Before the degree is conferred, candidates are required to pass an examination on the general field of art history. A thesis or scholarly essay is required for completion of the degree.
Master of Fine Arts, Art and Design
| All programs except Industrial Design- Required Hours |
Concentration in Industrial- Required Hours |
|
|---|---|---|
| Research/Project Hours (min/max applied toward degree): | 2 min | |
| Thesis Hours Required–ARTD 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 2 min | |
| Total Hours | 64 | 64 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall | 12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements* A concentration is not required in the case of students in the New Media specialization. | ||
| Seminar, enrollment varies by program | 8 | 8 |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 | 2.75 |
The degree of Master of Fine Arts in Art and Design is designed to prepare qualified individuals for distinctive achievement in the professional area of their choice. Fields of concentration include Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Photography, Metal, Ceramics, and an interdisciplinary Studio which includes concentrations in Painting, Sculpture, and specialization in New Media. A minimum of 64 hours of graduate credit is required for the M.F.A. degree, requiring three years of full-time residence. Individual studio space and specialized resources essential to the acquisition of a high-quality professional education are available to students in all areas of study. The Graphic Design, Photography, Metal, Ceramics, and interdisciplinary Studio which includes Painting, Sculpture, and New Media programs require a graduation exhibition of creative work and a written thesis approved by a thesis committee for deposit in the School of Art and Design's graduate office. The Industrial Design Program requires a graduation exhibition, a written thesis approved by a thesis committee and a thesis deposit in the Graduate College Thesis Office. Admission for all programs is determined by a faculty review of a portfolio of the applicant's creative work, records of previous education and experience, letters of recommendation, and other significant achievements that may be viewed as predictors for success in the program.
Doctor of Philosophy, Art Education
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Thesis Hours Required– ARTE 599: | Yes |
| Course work Hours (in residency on this campus) | 64 |
| Total Hours | 64 min |
| Other Requirements: | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | Yes |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
The doctoral program in art education is designed for advanced graduate students who want to pursue scholarly study and research in art education. Doctoral level coursework includes studies in both art education and in relevant disciplines and departments within the university. Applicants for admission must hold a master's degree in art education or the equivalent from an accredited institution. Admission is determined by a sample of academic writing, official records of previous education and experience, and letters of recommendation.
Doctor of Philosophy, Art History
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Language Requirement: An effective reading knowledge two languages chosen with the approval of the student's academic adviser and the program chair is required. Language requirements must be met before the student has earned 32 hours of graduate credit beyond the requirements for the master's degree. | |
| Thesis Hours Required – ARTH 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 32 |
| Total Hours | 64 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Students also elect a minor in another field of art history in consultation with their major adviser and appropriate faculty. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | Yes |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
The program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Art History is designed to prepare students for scholarship and for teaching at the college level. Applicants must have the Master of Arts in Art History or the equivalent. Students earning the master's degree must pass the qualifying examination with a high score and write a thesis or research paper of superior quality in order to be admitted to the doctoral program. Students taking the master's degree elsewhere must satisfy the Graduate Committee on the History of Art and Architecture as to their preparation to undertake work on a doctoral level. Students usually elect to major and write a dissertation in one of various fields: Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Modern, Contemporary, American, African, and Asian, or Latin American.
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Art History and Art Education. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.illinois.edu/msp.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience for master and doctoral students.
Facilities and Resources
Resources for graduate students in art and design include the Krannert Art Museum’s excellent permanent collections and changing exhibitions; the Ricker Library of Art and Architecture, one of the largest art and architecture libraries in the nation; the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; School of Art and Design facilities, which include extensive computer laboratories, digital photography and video editing equipment, wireless networking, ink-printing facilities, ceramic, woodworking, and metal shops, rapid prototyping and laser cutting, black/white and color darkrooms, shooting studios, and a wide selection of production and presentation equipment via reservation and checkout facility. A variety of lectures, symposia, musical programs, dramatic productions, and other cultural events associated with a large and progressive university complement the Art and Design Facilities.
Financial Aid
Fellowships, assistantships, and tuition and service fee waivers are awarded each year on a competitive basis, with consideration given to the applicant’s grade point average and, in the case of applicants for the M.F.A. programs, quality of creative work.