Art

Graduate Programs

Description

The graduate Art faculty, diverse in educational and professional experience, shares the objective of quality education in a stimulating and creative environment. Small classes ensure personalized instruction from a faculty committed to excellence in their various studio and academic specialties. Graduates from the program are placed not only in education and business but often pursue additional work toward advanced degrees. The flexibility acquired by art graduate students as they develop their ideas and skills is attractive to potential employers.

The serious student with appropriate undergraduate art credentials may select courses in various specialized areas leading to a Master of Arts degree. Successful applicants must have a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75/4.0 for the last two undergraduate years for the degree. A portfolio must be submitted and approved with the application for full admission. Applications are considered for each term and summer session. A comprehensive oral examination is required for the MA degree. Program options are flexible to accommodate specific needs or objectives in art education or in the studio areas of ceramics, drawing, fiber design, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture. An attractive feature of the studio curriculum, for example, is the creative thesis option, which includes a brochure and exhibition.

Students enjoy the advantages of excellent facilities, including the Conkling Art Gallery, a versatile, contemporary space providing exhibitions in all media from local, regional and national artists and collections. Student exhibitions, along with gallery openings, lectures and workshops, contribute significantly to a feeling of community among students, faculty and gallery patrons. In addition to the department's own slide collection, the Memorial Library provides a number of resources for art students. A vigorous art community in the Mankato, southern Minnesota and Minneapolis-St. Paul areas offers valuable off-campus stimulation and exhibition opportunities.

Majors

Program Locations Total Credits
Art MA MA - Master of Arts
  • Mankato
34

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission. Candidates must complete departmental admission requirements as well as the requirements specified by the College of Graduate Studies and Research. An undergraduate major in art or its equivalent is required to pursue a graduate degree.

Student Work. The department may request the retention of at least one student work from the creative thesis exhibition for its permanent instructional and exhibition collection and the right to use photographs of students and their work. Additionally, the department cannot insure student work, material and equipment or take responsibility for its loss or damage.

P/N Grading. Students from other fields may elect graduate courses in art for P/N grading if prerequisites have been fulfilled or special consent is given by the instructor. Art majors are required to take art courses under the regular letter grade system except as indicated under general Graduate College requirements.

Studio Course Costs. Notations showing the costs of individual courses are included in the semester course schedules. In some cases, student fees are charged for materials used. Verifying such information with the individual instructor is suggested. 

Contact Information

136 Nelson Hall

Faculty

Chair
  • Brian Frink
Faculty

500 Level

Credits: 3

Advanced level graphic design and graphic communication problems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced level graphic design and graphic communication problems. (F,S) Prerequisite: Art 401, Art 402 and Art 403 or consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced study of motion, sound, and interactivity in design. Students build on existing skills to create conceptually and technically advanced works of digital communication. (F,S) Prerequisite: Art 402 or consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Continued in-depth exploration of drawing techniques and concepts.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced experience in drawing from the human figure.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Overview of representative examples of the history of Scandinavian art from pre-Viking to modern times, concentrating on elements typical of each country or period and on developments that were particularly influential in the broader history of Western art.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to the art and architecture of indigenous peoples. Examination of representative works of art and major styles and cultures of preliterate societies in Africa, the Americas, Oceania, and of Pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to art and architecture of Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic world, from the second to the fifteenth centuries. Examination of representative works of art and major styles of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic cultures, including the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Historical survey of the representation of gender with comparison of the artistic efforts of males and females and examination of art used to present gender-based issues including homosexuality, feminism, censorship and pornography.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Art expression related to child growth, development and teaching strategies. Emphasis on two-dimensional projects. (Required for student teaching and certification.)

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Theory and practice of teaching mentally challenged, physically handicapped and other exceptionals.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The characteristics and evaluation of junior and senior high art expression: the status, curricula and strategies of teaching. (Required for student teaching)

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Application of instruction in art history and appreciation to elementary and secondary schools.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced fabrication of textiles using loom and off loom techniques.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Theoretical and practical aspects of administering arts organizations. Examines the management, budget, marketing and administration of arts programs and organizations in the postmodern era.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

First course in introductory graduate painting in oil and/or acrylics. May be taken by non-majors.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced experience in watercolor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

An advanced course which emphasizes individual research in technical, aesthetic and conceptual considerations.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to the art and architecture of the ancient era in its historical and cultural frameworks. Examination of representative works of art and major styles of ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cultures.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Origins and development of Northern and Italian Renaissance art and architecture as an expression of historical, cultural and religious issues.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Historical survey of art, architecture and urban planning in Europe and America from the late sixteenth to mid-nineteenth century: Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism and Romanticism.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The study of art museum history, theory and practice, including ethics, collecting, and display. Alongside these studies, students will conceive and realize an exhibition in order to further develop knowledge of and experience in the field.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Historical survey of art, architecture and urban planning in Europe and America from the mid-nineteenth century to the present: Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Op Art, Pop Art and Postmodern issues and trends.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Historical survey of art and architectural developments from Islam's origins through the twentieth century. Course focuses on contextualizing monuments, paintings, and other arts from various regions around the world.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Survey of Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Architecture from historical and theoretical perspectives. Design issues examined from formal and contextual point of view, using analysis strategies that consider style, composition, historical context, functional/propagandistic significance and communicative ability.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Historical survey of the art and architecture of China, India, Korea and Japan from pre-history to the 19th century.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Continued investigation of advanced print making techniques and concepts.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Expanding technical knowledge and visual awareness while building a portfolio in selected areas.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Investigation of developments in sacred and secular art and architecture in various regions of the world, exploring themes such as nation-building, modernization vs. tradition, post colonialism, among others, since the 19th century.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Continuing development of a strongly personal means of aesthetic expression in three dimensions.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3-6

This studio course focuses on the planning and implementation of site-specific work. Students personal interests will be paramount in the development of works that address site and audience. Professional practices necessary to carry out installations will be emphasized, including proposal development, project planning, and documentation. Environmental impact, health, and safety will be addressed. The course will cover a variety of installation artists and related readings. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

In depth investigation of a selected topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Specific problems in art emphasizing both individual research and contributions to the seminar group on advanced, in-depth topics.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Lecture/discussion/studio course on a selected area of discourse relating to the study of Art History, Art Criticism, Art Education or Art Studio. May focus on a specific artist, style period, cultural group or technical or methodological problem.

Prerequisites: none

600 Level

Credits: 3

Advanced graduate level graphic design and graphic communication problems. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to the modes of research appropriate to art including creative research studies and investigative thesis research.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Graduate level course for all studio specializations. May be repeated. Prereq: one 500 level course in the studio specialization

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Continued exploration of drawing techniques and concepts at the graduate level. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Advanced graduate level textile fabrication. Should produce a consistent body of work. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Graduate painting, emphasizing development of individual vision. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Independent creative development. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

A graduate course emphasizing further development and refinement of a body of work in preparation for a thesis and examination. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Graduate level printmaking. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Refinement of technical skills, seeing, and critical abilities while producing a significant body of work. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Creative and technical problems or research in selected areas. All students must file a special form in department office at time of registration.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-9

Continuing development of a strongly personal means of aesthetic expression in three dimensions. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3-6

This studio course focuses on the planning and implementation of advanced site-specific work. Students personal interests will be paramount in the development of works that address site and audience. Professional practices necessary to carry out installations will be emphasized, including proposal development, project planning, and documentation. Environmental impact, health, and safety will be addressed. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Specific problems in art emphasizing both individual research and contributions to the seminar group on advanced, in-depth topics appropriate for graduate students.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-2

Alternate plan paper in lieu of thesis, done in cooperation with a major professor. (Credit is incomplete until final approval by student's graduate committee.)

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-12

Field experience in professional setting relating to the specialization: graphic design, museum or arts administration, etc.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3-6

Required of all candidates for the Master of Science or Master of Arts degrees. May be creative project or brochure exhibition option. (Credit is incomplete until final approval by student's graduate committee.)

Prerequisites: none