Graduate Catalog - New Jersey City University

38 GRADUATE CATALOG 2013-2016 NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY
ART DEPARTMENT
Prof. Martin Kruck, MFA Chairperson
mkruck@njcu.edu
201-200-3241
Graduate Coordinator
Graduateart@njcu.edu
201-200-3214
Visual Arts Building
http://www.njcu.edu/dept/art/programs/
Master of Fine Arts
The Master of Fine Arts program is an
intensive 60-credit interdisciplinary studio
art program that results in the terminal
degree. Studio practice and the study of
critical theory are employed to foster intellectual
growth and individual achievement.
The primary emphasis is the development
of a personalized, professional, art-making
practice that may be carried through to a
lifetime career. By focusing on art production
along with historical and critical studies,
the MFA program stresses artistic skill,
critical thinking and awareness of cultural
and social frameworks as intrinsic parts
of the curriculum. Students may work in
any single or combination of studio areas
including: Painting/ Drawing, Graphic
Design, Printmaking, Photography, Computer
Arts, Sculpture, Illustration, Clay, or
Jewelry/Metalsmithing. MFA students work
closely with faculty mentors and culminate
their studio thesis in a solo exhibition.
PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION
Transcripts of previous college study, a
professional resume, two letters of recommendation,
a two-page statement of
purpose relative to interest in a direction of
study, and a portfolio of artwork demonstrating
abilities in studio art and/or design.
The portfolio must contain 20 images of
finished work and sent to the Graduate Art
Coordinator as jpegs on CD/DVD, a PDF
portfolio, or URL link to a website. For
each specific studio program, a graduate
faculty committee assesses and evaluates all
submitted materials for evidence of individual
capability and demonstrated capacity
for creative and professional work.
The Art Department may require undergraduate
courses it deems necessary to
satisfy the prior requirements for participation
in the MFA program. Forty-five credits
of the MFA program must be completed at
NJCU.
Transfer applicants must fulfill the application
requirements requested of those
wishing to enter the MFA program for the
first time.
ADVISEMENT
The Graduate Coordinator performs
preliminary advisement in charting initial
curriculum choices tailored to the needs and
backgrounds of each admitted applicant.
Once enrolled in the MFA program, the
student works with faculty advisors who
guide the student through the program,
mentor the student’s independent studio
work, and provide career guiadance and
counseling to achieve comprehensive development
of the student’s professional potential.
It is possible for students to request a
change of advisors during their programs,
but it is recommended they remain with
the same faculty for the last two semesters
while they are working on their exhibition
and thesis.
REVIEW/EVALUATION
To assure proper guidance of the student’s
progress, periodic reviews take place in the
MFA program. At the completion of twelve
credits of specified course work, an Art
Department faculty committee reviews the
development of the MFA thesis-exhibition
and critiques the student’s progress. Successful
evaluations permit the student’s
continuation in the program. Interim
progress evaluations occur at the end of
each semester.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Code Title Credits
Studio Art 18
Master Critique 12
Art electives 9
Art History/
Theory courses 9
ART 660 Master Thesis Seminar I 3
ART 661 Master Thesis Seminar II 3
Graduate electives or
Cooperative
Education course 6
Final, successful completion of specified
course work in a given studio program
requires a 3.00 GPA and the presentation
of a master’s thesis project (exhibition) and
verbal defensefor assessment by a faculty
committee which determines degree
completion.
The master’s thesis project is expected to
be of comparable quality to professional
work in the field by demonstrating studio
talent, conceptually and technically strong
approaches, and informed research.
The thesis exhibition must give evidence
of the student’s ability to produce a professionally
significant visual body of work and
to present his/her aesthetic ideas competently
in written and verbal form.
Master of Arts in Studio Art
The Master of Arts in Studio Art is a
39-credit degree program designed to provide
continued professional development in
a selected specialized area of the visual arts:
Fine Arts, Design and Crafts, or Communication
Design.
Augmented by studies in art history,
aesthetics, other art electives or art education,
the program may also serves as a
foundation for advanced work at the MFA
or doctoral levels. Of the 39 credits required
for the degree, 18 must be taken in an area
of studio specialization, with an additional
9 credits in other studio areas. Six credits in
art history, aesthetics, and theoretical studies
enhance the studio program. Three credits
in graduate courses, education courses, or
cooperative education placements broaden
the focused studio program.
Under faculty supervision, a culminating
master’s research project is developed, which
is assessed by a faculty committee.
PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION
Transcripts of previous college study, a
professional resume, two letters of recommendation,
a two-page statement of
purpose relative to interest in a direction
of study, and a portfolio of studio work of
15-20 jpeg images on CD/DVD, PDF, or
website link must be sent to the Graduate
Art Coordinator.
Students admitted without matriculation
in a conditional status may complete up to
twelve credits in art (nine credits in studio).
Students wishing to then apply for matriculation
must have earned a 3.00 GPA in the
twelve credits taken. Studio work completed
during the conditional/non-matriculation
period will be reviewed by the Graduate
Committee before continuation in the
program is permitted.