The Master of Arts Degree in Art

Apply to the M.A. in Art Program

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Deadlines

Spring

• The deadline to apply to the MA in ART program for Spring is October 1.
• The deadline for submitting portfolio materials for Spring is October 15.

Fall

• The deadline to apply to the MA in ART Program for Fall is April 1.
• The deadline for submitting portfolio materials for Fall is April 15.

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The Master of Arts in Art degree program assumes preparation equivalent to the undergraduate major (B.A. in Art) at California State University, Fresno. Students with a non-art undergraduate degree must meet the Art Major Undergraduate Equivalency to be considered for admission to the M.A. in Art program. At this time, applications for graduate study are being accepted in the areas of Studio Art and Art History. New applicants for Art Education and Interior Design are not being accepted.

To apply to the M.A. in Art program, first apply to the university for Graduate Studies through Cal State Apply. 

Supporting admissions documents, such as Transcripts, TOEFL scores (for international admissions), and other scores must be mailed to the appropriate graduate admissions office:

M.A. in Art Program Additional Requirements 

STOP!—Your application is not considered complete until the Department of Art, Design, & Art History receives additional required materials (your Portfolio.) Please read the information below for details:

The M.A. in Art degree program assumes preparation equivalent to the undergraduate major (B.A. in Art) at California State University, Fresno. Students with a non-art undergraduate degree must meet the Art Major Undergraduate Equivalency. The UAME consists of 33 units of prerequisites needed in order to be considered for admission to the M.A. in Art program, and to be prepared to meet the rigors of the program. Students with a non-art degree may be accepted with Classified Standing if they meet the prerequisites, or with Conditional Standing to the M.A. in Art Program if they show potential and have only 9 units of UAME work left to complete. However, applicants passed with Conditional Standing shall be required to successfully pass a second Screening Portfolio Review upon completion of the prerequisites, and before engaging in graduate coursework, in order to obtain Classified standing or full acceptance to the program. For details, see the Graduate Guide (MA in Art Program handbook).

Application Process: A candidate’s application is not considered complete until all steps below are completed and materials are received:

1. Apply to Fresno State for graduate studies/ meet the minimum admission requirements. Go here https://academics.fresnostate.edu/dgs/graduates.html to begin the application process through Cal State Apply. Submit transcripts of all college/university work through Cal State Apply. International Students must also submit required test scores (TOEFL or IELS).
   
   DEADLINES TO APPLY TO THE UNIVERSITY FOR GRADUATE STUDIES ARE APRIL 1 (FOR FALL CONSIDERATION) AND OCTOBER 1 (FOR SPRING CONSIDERATION.)
   
   
2. Submit a complete Portfolio appropriate to your indicated area of interest. (Portfolio requirements by area are listed below.) Areas of interest in the M.A. in Art Program include Studio Art and Art History. Portfolio materials must be submitted directly by email to the M.A. in Art Program Graduate Coordinator, Professor Stephanie Ryan at sryan@mail.fresnostate.edu.
   
   DEADLINES TO SEND PORTFOLIO ARE APRIL 15 (FOR FALL CONSIDERATION) AND OCTOBER 15 (FOR SPRING CONSIDERATION.)

Portfolio Requirements by Area

Studio Art

Applicants to Studio Art must indicate an area of interest within studio art—areas may be combined, but every new applicant must choose one from the following areas to use as a home base: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Ceramics.

Include the following items in your Portfolio:

• Artwork: 10 examples of recent artwork presented in a slideshow format (PowerPoint, Keystone, or equivalent) and saved as a compressed PDF file. Each image in the slide show must be labeled with the title of artwork, medium, dimensions, and year completed. For three-dimensional work you may include up to 2 additional details per piece. Images must be of high enough resolution for projected viewing. Your images should represent your current artistic voice and/or direction. It is recommended that at least 4 of the works are related to one another (as a body or several bodies of work) to demonstrate effort to develop a sustained idea or theme.
• Letter of Introduction/Statement of Intent (1-2 page.) Briefly introduce yourself by describing your experience and research in studio art and/or art history. If Studio Art, indicate the area of study in which you would like to focus (Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture or Ceramics.) Why are you are interested in your proposed area of study? What are your long-term career goals? Why do you wish to pursue an MA in Art at Fresno State?
  Note: If your artwork differs from the area to which you apply, please explain the reason for this in your statement.
• Artist’s Statement (max 1 page.) Your artist’s statement should explain the main ideas or themes explored in your work and the visual strategies you employ to communicate your ideas. You should also describe any research you have conducted in relation to your artwork, including research on contemporary artists, art theory, art criticism, literature, philosophy, or other research relevant to your art and process.
• Curriculum Vita, including educational background/degree(s) awarded/school attended/year, list of awards/grants, publications, special projects, and other professional/work experience.
• Unofficial Transcripts (copies of originals are fine.)
• Three Recommendation Letters: Three from professionals in the field, such as past professors, past instructors, or others who are knowledgeable of you and your work and who can speak to your character, work ethic, maturity and responsibility. Rec letters should be emailed by the writer to sryan@mail.fresnostate.edu

Art History

• Introduction Letter/Statement of Intent (1-2 page.) A brief autobiographical statement of your previous studies in Art History, your proposed period and/or area of research for the M.A. program, and your long-term educational and career goals.
• Writing Samples: 2-3 papers/samples of written art historical work/research.
• Curriculum Vita, including educational background/degree(s) awarded/school attended/year, list of awards/grants, publications, special projects, and other professional/work experience.
• Unofficial Transcripts (copies of originals are fine.)
• Three Recommendation Letters: Three from professionals in the field, such as past professors, past instructors, or others who are knowledgeable of you and your work and who can speak to your character, work ethic, maturity and responsibility.

Graduate Coordinator

Stephanie Ryan
Phone: 559-278-2117
Office: Conley Art 217
Email:  sryan@mail.fresnostate.edu

Graduate Links

• Division of Graduate Studies
• University Admissions