The Master of Arts degree (MA) is a 30-unit graduate degree program that provides opportunities for individualized and advanced study in a range of areas: art education, art history, animation, design, fashion, fiber and materials, and studio arts. This program offers students a combination of shared interdisciplinary courses and direct mentorship with faculty in the student’s area of interest.
The Master of Arts degree helps students gain a stronger educational and experiential basis for a professional career and provides a solid foundation to those looking to pursue further graduate study.
1) The applicant will use the CalStateApply website for a one stop online submission of all materials for the application to the university and the Art program. The Art Department admits new students only once a year for the Fall semester. Applications opens October 1st and the deadline for submitting all materials is February 15th. The University application and Instructions for submitting BA/BFA transcripts are also included in the submission process within the CalStateApply website.
2) Applicants will be asked to upload a single PDF document file. This file should be a one-to-two-page statement describing the applicant’s goals and motivation for seeking an MA degree at Cal State LA. The statement should include details of the intended area or combination of areas of study within Art and which Culminating Experience the candidate wishes to pursue: a Research Project and Thesis, or a Creative Project and Project Report.
Portfolio materials should reflect the applicant’s most successful efforts in their area(s) of interest, and examples that clearly demonstrate original thought and creative abilities. Portfolio should be submitted as a PDF only (interactive pdfs with links are acceptable) depending on your area(s) of interest or examples of portfolio works.
The portfolio content may include items that relates to your interests:
- A presentation of 5-15 images and/or videos of recent creative work (professional, academic, and/or personal).
- Three research papers with bibliography and endnotes.
- Samples of student artwork from a class you taught (if available) and two lesson plans for K-12 art instruction.
Any portfolio images should include a written list of the works and an artist statement.
3) One letter of recommendation from a professional in the field who has direct experience with the applicant’s work through an academic or mentor relationship, and who can attest to their creative abilities and their potential for graduate study. You will be prompted to upload the letter within CalSateApply. It is the applicant’s responsibility for coordinating with their recommender and there is an embedded process within the website for submitting letters of recommendation.
If any part of the above is incomplete after the February 15th deadline, the application will not be reviewed. Once the application is completed and submitted, the Department’s Graduate Option Committees will usually deliver a decision by the end of March.
NOTE: If an in-person interview is required, the applicant will receive advance notification of the date, the appointment time, and room location. The applicant will meet with the Faculty Review Committee for 15-20 minutes. The committee and the applicant will discuss the portfolio materials, their educational goals, and specific needs and expectations for graduate study. There is also an opportunity for the applicant to ask questions about the program.