2003-2005 - Graduate School - The University of Alabama

116 The University of AlabamaDegree RequirementsMaster of Arts Degree in Studio ArtAll new studio art students enter the M.A. program. The M.A. degree in studio artrequires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work, including atleast 6 hours in art history, 15–18 hours in a major studio fi eld, 6–9 hours in a minor,or selected studio areas. Candidacy for the degree is determined by a review at thecom ple tion of 18–24 semester hours. A thesis exhibition and an oral review are requiredfor successful completion of the program. Normally, at least three terms (non-summer/Interim) are required to complete the program. The degree program must be completedwithin six years.Master of Fine Arts Degree in Studio ArtAdmission to the master of fi ne arts program is by recommendation of a faculty reviewcommittee, which meets at the time of the candidate’s M.A. thesis exhibition. This committeereviews the student’s progress upon the com ple tion of 24–30 graduate hourstaken within the M.A. studio program. Hours must conform to the requirements of theM.A. program, representing completed coursework in studio and art history. The committeewill recommend that the candidate continue within the M.F.A. program or fi nalizestudies at the University with a completed M.A. degree.The M.F.A. degree requires the completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours ofgraduate work, including at least 9 hours in art history, 24–39 hours in a major studioarea, and 12–27 hours in other studio areas. The degree must be completed within sixyears of enrollment in the M.A. studio program. A graduate student may select a minorstudio con cen tra tion of study or choose a variety of graduate-level classes offeredwithin the art de part ment or approved graduate-level elective courses. Ad mis sion tocandidacy for the M.F.A. degree is de ter mined by faculty review at the end of 45–57semester hours of approved graduate credit. To successfully pass the candidacy review,the student must dem on strate a personal direction in his or her work of suffi cient qualityfor an M.F.A. thesis exhibition.A thesis exhibition is presented at the end of the candidate’s fi nal term. During theexhibition, an oral examination is conducted by the student’s faculty com mit tee. At thattime, the candidate defends the exhibition and written artist’s statement.Review procedure. A graduate review committee is established by each graduatestudent. The committee must consist of no fewer than four faculty members and can havean unlimited number of approved graduate faculty. Required appointees to this com mit teeinclude the department chairperson (director of graduate studies), a faculty member fromthe major area of study, and a graduate faculty member in art history (selected by thestudent). The chairperson of the committee is the student’s major professor.Master of Arts Degree in Art HistoryThe M.A. in art history requires com ple tion of 24 semester hours in art history, of which6 hours may be taken in a related fi eld. Courses are grouped into six general areas:Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, 19th-cen tu ry, 20th-century, and Asianart. Stu dents must take courses in three of the six areas, as well as ARH 550 Literatureof Art. Students registered on the University of Alabama campus must take at least 6hours of coursework at The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama atBir ming ham.Further requirements include (a) a reading knowledge of French, Ger man, or anotherapproved language, tested by examination; (b) a general written examination in art historyprepared and read by the joint fac ul ty; and (c) a written thesis (3–6 hours).The M.A. degree must be completed within a six-year period to avoid loss of graduatecredit for completed coursework.