The degree Master of Arts in Art is available with emphases in either Studio Art or Art Education. These emphases are designed to prepare professional artists and art educators. Each provides a foundation for additional advanced work. This outline will assist you to unravel the steps as you work your way through the program. Throughout the process, you should consult regularly with your adviser. The ASU Graduate School lists the general degree requirements in the Graduate Bulletin. Additional requirements specific to the Art Department are described here.
The steps are organized in phases, each with a recognizable milestone. Each milestone represents a significant point which you must pass before proceeding to the subsequent phase.

1. The specific admission requirements of the Graduate School are printed in the Graduate Bulletin. For information, write to:
   
   Graduate School
   Arkansas State University
   P.O. Box 60
   State University, AR 72467
   Phone 870-972-3029
   gradsch@choctaw.astate.edu
   
   
2. You may download the Graduate Bulletin from the Graduate School online
   
   
3. If you do not plan to work toward a degree at ASU, see Admission as a Graduate Non-degree Student in the Graduate Bulletin. Contact the Art Department to see an advisor.
   
   
4. After being admitted to the Graduate School, you must also apply to the Art Department and meet the following requirements.
   
   Send a portfolio of 20 color slides. Each slide mount should be identified on the front with your name and other information about the work (media, size, date). Place a RED DOT in the lower left corner of the slide mount. Place the slides in a clear plastic slide page. Enclose a separate list with the same information.
   Send an original writing sample comprising a personal statement about your goals, attitudes about your subject matter, media, and sources. There is no specific length for this paper.
   Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate work.
   Self-addressed envelope with correct postage for return of your slides.
   DEADLINES for receipt of all materials: April 1 for Fall/Summer enrollment, November 1 for Spring enrollment
   Send these materials to: Graduate Admission, Art Department, PO Box 1920, State University, AR 72467-1920
   
   
5. Portfolio Review: The materials which you submitted will be reviewed and evaluated by the entire art faculty. The relative importance of the materials is in the following order.
   
   Quality of portfolio
   Writing sample
   Official transcripts
   Letters of recommendation
   
   
6. Graduate Assistantships are considered at the time of the Portfolio Review. Some assistantships are usually available in the Art Department. See Gradate Assistantships in the Graduate Bulletin. The standard form Application for Graduate Assistantship(available from the Graduate School) should be submitted to the Art Department Chair. If an assistantship is awarded, you should remember to submit a new form each semester to renew your assistantship.
   
   
7. Milestone: Acceptance into the ASU Graduate Program and the MA in Art Program.

1. Meet with your advisor to discuss the schedule of courses. The form entitled Evaluation of Undergraduate Credits for Master of Arts Degree is a worksheet which is used to assess deficiencies from your undergraduate degree and other deficiencies which might be apparent in your portfolio. The undergraduate degree is expected to consist of a minimum of 42 semester hours. 39 hours should be in Drawing (9 hours), Design (9 hours), Art History (6 hours), Painting (6 hours), and an Art Emphasis (9 hours). If deficiencies are assessed, those courses should be taken as soon as possible on the 5000 level. Deficiencies will increase the total number of hours needed to complete the degree.
   
   
2. The degree MA in ART, STUDIO ART EMPHASIS, includes the following:
   
   3 semester hours of approved electives
   3 semester hours of Methodology in the History and Criticism of Art or approved substitution
   3 semester hours of Art History
   15 semester hours of Studio Art or Art History with minimum of 12 hours at 6000 level
   6 semester hours of Thesis / Exhibition
   
   
3. The degree MA in ART, ART EDUCATION EMPHASIS includes the following:
   
   3 semester hours of approved electives
   3 semester hours of Qualitative Research
   3 semester hours of Art History
   15 semester hours of Art Education which must include 3 hours of Concepts in Art Education
   6 semester hours of Thesis or Thesis / Exhibition
   
   
4. Graduate Advisory / Thesis Committee: Following your acceptance into both the ASU Graduate Program and the MA in Art Program, you will enter the Pre-Candidacy phase. At that time, the members of your committee will be appointed. Strong consideration will be given to your media focus in the formation of the committee. It will include three faculty members, one of whom ((Advisor)) will chair the committee. The Graduate School has a standard form to list the committee members. Your committee should meet two or three times each semester to review your work. If the committee fails to meet at least twice, additional semesters might be required to complete the degree program. You are responsible for contacting committee members to arrange each meeting at an appropriate time. The first meeting to assess progress should be scheduled no later than the fifth week of classes. The committee will continue to advise you through all phases of your degree program. If the membership of the committee should change for any reason, you should file a new list with the Graduate School.
   
   
5. Studio space is limited. Graduate students receive priority in the assignment of either private or semiprivate space.
   
   
6. Graduate Seminars: Each graduate student is required to participate in general graduate seminars each semester. Students and faculty discuss issues. Each student presents issues.
   
   
7. Following advice of your committee, you should begin thinking about the Master's Thesis. Approaching the time to apply for Candidacy, you should be working on a Thesis Proposal. You do not have to be enrolled in a Thesis course to be working on a Thesis.
   
   
8. All course work in the Pre-Candidacy phase must be at the 5000 level.
   
   
9. You will need the following publications available from the Graduate School: ASU Graduate Bulletin or ASU Graduate School Guide for Writers of Dissertations and Theses.
   
   
10. Application for Candidacy may be made when you have completed 12-18 hours of graduate course work and earned a grade point average of 3.00 both overall and within your major degree program. You must apply no later than the end of the semester in which the accumulated total of graduate hours reaches 18. No student may apply for candidacy while on probation or with a grade point average of less than 3.00.
    
    
11. Milestone: Meet departmental requirements above and Graduate School requirements (see Admission to Candidacy in Graduate Bulletin). Thesis Proposal is ready to submit.
    
    

1. All course work following approval for Candidacy will be at the 6000 level.
   
   
2. Thesis Proposal
   1. The Thesis Proposal is your initial statement of intentions. It forms the basis for further development of the Master's Thesis. You should prepare a Thesis Proposal using the standard form and submit it to the Thesis Committee. Submit it either with the Application for Candidacy or as soon as possible following approval for Candidacy. It is then submitted to the Department Chair, the Dean of the College, and the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. You should make an appointment with the Dean of the Graduate School to discuss the Thesis.
   
   2. The Thesis Proposal, carefully thought out, is a good indicator of your readiness for pursuing the Master's Thesis. Following are suggestions to consider while composing the sections listed below:
   
   INTRODUCTION: One paragraph describing the topic in general terms.
   
   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: What are your goals and objectives in this investigation? What issues in the current body of knowledge will you consider? What are the key questions to be asked and answered?
   
   METHODS AND MATERIALS: Describe the method you plan to employ in your investigation, including the conceptual approach, phases of the investigation, and specific tasks. A frequent criticism of a Thesis Proposal is that the topic is too large or not well defined. What are the topic's parameters, limitations and exclusions, as well as its inclusions?
   
   PURPOSE OF STUDY: Describe why you think this topic is appropriate for you. What benefits can this investigation provide for you? What benefits can this investigation provide for the field you have chosen to emphasize? What benefits can this investigation provide for the the world or its people?
   
   REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE: What references and studies related to your topic have you already consulted? What additional references or resources do you anticipate using?
   
   
3. Master's Thesis -- Description
   1. The Written Thesis will go through three phases of development: Outline, Early Drafts, and Final Draft. You must have approval of the Thesis Committee before moving into each phase.
   
   2. There are three options for the Master's Thesis. Each option requires a Written Thesis. Your independent work will be conducted under supervision of the Thesis Committee. All work submitted to the Thesis Committee (including studio work and Written Thesis) must be your original work. Writing should be clear and concise. The Master's Thesis should demonstrate (1) mastery of research methods (2) understanding of the area of concentration and (3) your ability to analyze and articulate ideas. The Thesis Committee will advise you in selecting the topic and will ascertain the relevance of the topic to your goals and area of concentration.
   
   
4. Milestone: You have been approved for Candidacy and have an approved Thesis Proposal.

1. You have already done a considerable amount of research on your Thesis, and it is time to begin organizing it. At the same time, you are creating work for the Exhibition, so ideas may be in a constant state of change. Develop a working outline for your Thesis. Consult often with your Thesis Advisor and the members of your committee.
   
   
2. Milestone: Your Thesis Outline has been approved.
   
   

1. After approval of your outline, you may enroll in the first 3 hours of either Thesis or Thesis Exhibition. This should begin no later than the semester before your final semester. The courses may be taken in blocks of one to six hours; however, in normal circumstances, we recommend two three-hour courses taken over your last two or three semesters. Following is a description of the work you will be expected to accomplish in the Thesis Option you select.
   
   Option 1: ART 6331-6 Thesis. This is a Written Thesis based on research which demonstrates that the candidate has applied disciplined research skills and critical abilities to the problem chosen for exploration. It does not include an Exhibition of studio work. The topic may be a critical, comparative, or historical investigation of cultural, aesthetic, technical, or biographical subject matter. It may explore or invent new applications of new or old technology.
   
   Option 2: ART 6341-6 Thesis Exhibition. This is an Exhibition with a Written Thesis in support of the exhibition. The Written Thesis describes the supporting foundation for the exhibition in both technical and conceptual contexts in the following areas of influence: (1) Historical precedents and influences (2) Significant life experiences of the candidate (3) Description of the works (4) Potential for future development of the works. The Exhibition and the Written Thesis together must demonstrate a professional level of competence and a significant aesthetic investigation.
   
   Option 3: (Required for MA in ART, ART EDUCATION EMPHASIS): ARED 66721-6 Thesis. This is a research paper, possibly with support materials, which demonstrates learning in your chosen topic in Art Education.
   
   
2. You should be conducting additional research, working on your Exhibition (Thesis Option 2), and submitting written drafts of your Thesis to your committee (you may have to submit several drafts). Correct grammar and spelling are required; the committee will not do rewrites for you.
   
   
3. Milestone: Enrolled in (or completed) 3 hours of Thesis or Thesis Exhibition; approval of Written Thesis draft.

1. This could be your final semester, although you might choose to continue studio work for another semester or two after all requirements have been met. At this point, you are in the process of wrapping up your Master's Thesis. Everything must be done with supervision of your committee.
   
   
2. As you enter this phase, the studio work (Thesis Option 2) will be substantially complete, although there may still be time for moderate changes and additions.
   
   
3. Comprehensive Written Exam: This will be administered during your final semester. The date of the examination will be announced during the second week of the semester by the Art Department. If you are enrolled you will receive the notification in writing. If you are not enrolled, you will be notified if you have requested it. You must notify the Art Department chair of your intent to sit for the examination at least two weeks prior to the scheduled test date. Students must pass the examination within the six-year time limit for completion of degree requirements. For more information, see Comprehensive Examination the Graduate Bulletin.
   
   
4. Things to do for the Exhibition:
   -Frames or other essential elements of presentation
   -Complete all studio work.
   -Plan the Exhibition.
   -Begin promotional efforts early.
   -Schedule the Thesis Exhibition by reserving space in the Fine Arts Center Gallery, The Fowler Center, or other appropriate local exhibition spaces. Approval of your committee is required.
   
   
5. Things to do for the Written Thesis: Final editing and approval of the typed Thesis.
   
   
6. Oral Defense of Thesis or Thesis-Exhibition
   
   1. Orals will be your public defense of performance as a graduate student. Questions may be asked in reference to the following areas: a) Exhibition of studio work (Thesis Option 2) b) Written Thesis c) Written Comprehensive Exams
   
   2. Scheduling: Each semester the Graduate School schedules a specific period for the Orals. After consulting with members of your committee, you will select an appropriate time. Check the Deadlines in the front of the current Graduate Bulletin for Last day to submit Oral Examination Results Over the Thesis. The Graduate School will publish notice of the time and place of your Orals, and the public will be invited to attend. The time you select must also correspond to the following:
   
   - The Orals are conducted in public during your Exhibition so that direct visual reference may be made to the works during questioning.
   The written Thesis has been completed and approved by your committee. You should provide a photocopy of the finished draft of your Thesis text for use by the committee during the questioning.
   Your written Comprehensive Exams have been completed with a passing grade.
   
   3. Location: When possible, the Orals and the Thesis-Exhibition will be in the Fine Arts Gallery or The Fowler Center.
   
   - If circumstances prohibit scheduling the FA Gallery or Fowler Center at an appropriate time, a different exhibition location may be selected on approval of your committee. If necessary, a classroom such as Room FA 107 may be scheduled for the Orals, and the Thesis works may be displayed against the walls.
   
   In general, you should organize the location the way you would like to have it. Please arrange for appropriate seating (and tables if needed) for committee members, the public, and for yourself.
   
   4. Procedure: Introduction of the Candidate: Your Thesis Advisor presides over the Oral Examination. The Advisor will introduce you and ask you to summarize your Thesis. Take as long as you wish for this summary, but you may not use notes during this or any other part of the Orals.
   Questioning of the Candidate by the Committee: Note that this proceeding is not a critique. Your Written Thesis and Exhibition are on trial. Answer fully and accurately. If you do not know an answer, admit it. Your committee members are present only to hear what you have to say in defense of your work. They will not offer advice, make speeches, or give demonstrations.
   Questioning of the Candidate by the public: After the Committee has completed its examination, the Thesis Advisor will invite visitors to ask questions. Inappropriate questions or comments will be ruled out of order, and you will not have to answer them.
   Committee Evaluation: When the questioning has been completed, the Advisor will adjourn the Oral Examination, and the Committee will meet privately to evaluate the defense. This evaluation could take place at any time during the next few days. The committee may do one of the following: (1) Approve the Candidate's defense. The degree will be awarded at the next Commencement. (2) Reject the Candidate's defense on the grounds that the Thesis has not been adequately defended. Additional work is needed before the degree can be awarded. e) Notification: The Thesis Advisor will give you the Committee's evaluation at your request. The Graduate College will provide written notification at your request.
   
   
7. Milestone: Your Degree will be granted at the next Commencement