Graduates

All Official Admissions Requirements are hosted on the Graduate School Website

Programs

• Master of Fine Arts
• Master of Arts

Master of Fine Arts

A minimum of 60 graduate credits is required with 40 credits taken in studio courses (to include thesis project credits). Graduate degrees from the University are required to include at least one-half from 500+ level courses.

• ART 501 - Graduate Critique, 4 credits
• Art History (at the graduate level), 9 credits
• Art 503 - Art Criticism (at the graduate level), 3 credits
• Studio elective (various), 2 credits
• Open electives, 3 credits
• Studio (in area of specialization), 30 credits
• Art 699 - Thesis, 9 credits

The Thesis project (Art 699) is taken during the last semesters, and includes a professional paper and thesis exhibition. The thesis project and distribution of credits are to be approved by the student's thesis committee.

Special approval must be received from the Graduate School upon recommendation of the graduate student's program if a student wishes to count more than six (6) credits of 300-level UG courses toward their graduate degree.

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Master of Arts

A minimum of 30 graduate semester credits beyond the BA is required, with 20 credits from studio classes (to include thesis project credits). One-half of the credits must be at the 500-level or above.

Credits Required

• Art History (at graduate level), 6 credits
• Art 503 - Art Criticism (at the graduate level), 3 credits
• Free electives, 3 credits
• Studio (in area of concentration), 12 credits
• Art 699 - Thesis, 6 credits

The Thesis project (Art 699) is taken during the last semesters, and includes a professional paper and thesis exhibition. The thesis project and distribution of credits are to be approved by the student's thesis committee.

Special approval must be received from the Graduate School upon recommendation of the graduate student's program if a student wishes to count more than six (6) credits of 300-level UG courses toward their graduate degree.

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Graduate Status

Twelve credits each semester are required to maintain full-time status.

Full graduate status will be granted to students working toward an advanced degree and whose applications present clear promise of satisfactory graduate work, with particular reference to the amount and level of performance in prior academic preparation, possession of a bachelor degree (or a BFA, or equivalent credits to enter the MFA program) from an accredited institution, and satisfactory recommendations.

Provisional graduate status may be granted to a student whose application shows reasonable prospect for effective graduate work, but whose record reveals substantial deficiencies in the amount or quality of performance in prior academic work, inadequate command of the English language, or other uncertain factors. Certain undergraduate courses in various disciplines will be required for full admission. After one semester or more of satisfactory graduate work, a student with provisional status may be advanced to full standing upon recommendation of the major department or school and approval by the dean of the graduate school. A student may not receive a graduate degree from the university unless he/she has full graduate status.

Graduate non-degree status may be obtained by students with a baccalaureate degree who wish to take graduate credit at the university. If accepted into our program at a later date some credits (maximum of nine) may be applied to their degree work. Consult the Graduate Catalog for current information on the number of credits that can be applied.

Continuous Registration Requirement

Graduate students in degree programs must register for credits each Fall and Spring Semester.

Transfer of credit regulations are stated in the Graduate Catalog. Please consult the catalog for current information and restrictions. Courses with a grade of "C" or lower are not transferable. In all cases a minimum of one academic year in residence is required. No more than one full summer session may be applied toward this requirement.

Student Responsibility

The candidate is responsible for seeing that all requirements for the degree are completed and that all approvals are obtained within the times stated on the graduate school semester calendar. Failure to meet the deadlines will result in a delay in the granting of the degree (see Graduate Catalog).

Each semester the graduate school produces a calendar for graduating students, indicating the specific deadlines for that semester. Students are responsible for obtaining this information and conforming to the dates. Be aware that the "Application for Graduation" form must be filed at least one semester prior to when the degree is to be awarded, and at least half of the credits must be taken at the 500 level. For general graduate school requirements and procedures refer to the Graduate School website or the Graduate Catalog. This Prospectus is designed to acquaint prospective students with the art department graduate program, and serve as a guide to program participants.

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Admissions

DEADLINES
Complete Application packet must be POSTMARKED by:

• FALL ADMISSION: January 5th
• SPRING ADMISSION: October 5th

Final Acceptance

The Department of Art recommends students to the Graduate School for acceptance. However, acceptance for admission is determined by the Dean of the Graduate School. No records will be reviewed for acceptance unless all application materials are complete, including the minimum required scores of the Graduate Record Examination.

Entrance Guidelines - All Official Requirements are hosted on the Graduate School Site

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Scholarships

Several scholarships are available for graduate students within the Department of Art. On average, the department has awarded a total of $20,000-$26,000 to graduate students per year. First-year students who are accepted into the graduate program are automatically eligible and considered for these scholarships. Once enrolled, it is the graduate student’s responsibility to apply for additional scholarships within the department or on campus. Selection is based on the creativity and uniqueness of the artist, as well as the donor's preferences, (if applicable).

THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO GRADUATE STUDENTS:

• Odyssey of the Stars Award / Art Scholarship Fund
  Open to all students
• Bill Kliber Memorial Scholarship for the Arts
  Open to all students
• Ashley Elizabeth Pierce Scholarship
  Open to all students
• Briar Diggs Visual Arts Scholarship
  Open to all students
• Avis Mitchell Scholarship in Visual Arts
  Open to all students
  IIn the case of a tie, preference will go to a student from Miles City, MT first, or a student elsewhere in Eastern Montana second
• Scott Bardsley Memorial Scholarship
  Applicants must be BFA or MFA students with a focus in Ceramics
  Applicants must not have received this scholarship in years past
• Laura Bergh Barrett Scholarship
  Preference will be given to incoming students from rural areas east of Great Falls, MT who have financial need and whose portfolios demonstrate artistic ability
  Preference will also be given to female applicants
• Marie Wallace Fine Arts Scholarship
  Applicants must be worthy students reasonably demonstrating financial need but not eligible for federal student assistance
• Thomas Leslie Wickes and Heloise Vinal Wickes Scholarship in the Fine Arts
  Applicants who have received this award in years past may not apply
• Gilbert Millikan Scholarship in the Arts
  Preference will be given to students in the Graduate Program, (M.A. or M.F.A.)
• Leonard Stach Scholarship in Graduate Ceramics in Memory of Otto J. and Mary Stach
  Applicant must be a Graduate student with a focus in the area of Ceramics
• Nancy and Ron Erickson Scholarship in Art
  Applicant must be a female student in the Graduate program, with a focus in Two-Dimensional studio work
• Fell-Oskins Scholarship
  Applicant must be a student in the Graduate Program
  Priority will be given to students whose homes are in Park County, WY, or in the Big Horn Basin of WY
  Demonstrated interest in the applicant’s chosen field of study will have a greater influence on recipient selection than need
• Jacquelyn (Jackie) McElroy-Edward Scholarship
  Preference will be given to students with a focus in printmaking

Application Process
(Applies to Current Graduate Students Only)
Deadline: Mid February, 2008 (Specific Date: To Be Announced)

Selection Criteria

• overall grade point average of 3.0 overall
• demonstrated exceptional talent in both technical and creative abilities

Application

• Portfolio of seven (7) digital images of recent work (two may be of details) Materials: demonstrating ability and serious pursuit of fine arts. Each digital image must be clearly marked with student's name; (Do not send slides. Do not send originals. Application packets will not be returned).
• Letter of application including a brief personal history and career goals æ what you hope to do with your art education.
• Current transcript.

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Assistantships

Annual teaching assistant awards are currently available to students in the Art Department graduate degree programs. These awards provide an annual stipend, (approximately $9,000 per year), and full tuition waiver for either in-state or out-of-state students. Teaching assistants are required to devote 10 hours per week of work assigned by the department, in addition to teaching one class each semester in a foundations-level course, and/or entry-level studio courses.

Criteria for Selection

• Graduate students are required to take the Graduate TA practicum course (Art 580) before being considered for a teaching assistant award. Incoming graduate students will be considered for a teaching assistant award, but will still be required to complete the TA Practicum course concurrently.
• Ability as an artist as demonstrated by his/her art work. This evaluation is made by the department faculty and is not in all case consistent with earned grade point averages.
• The programmatic needs of the department. In order to maintain the undergraduate program, the department needs students with various skills and abilities. Consideration will be given to those students who exhibit strengths in the needed areas.
• Level of maturity and ability to work cooperatively with the faculty and the candidate's potential to teach at the college level.
• Candidate's ability to carry T.A. responsibilities without hampering his/her thesis responsibilities. Responsibilities include assisting or teaching beginning courses, studio maintenance, and ordering supplies. At the end of each semester the faculty and chair will determine TA assignments for the following semester. Foundation assignments and training will be supervised by the foundations coordinator. Beginning class assistance assignments and training will be supervised by the class instructor.
• Improper conduct, as determined by the chair of the department, will immediately exclude the teaching assistant from the classroom and his/her award will be terminated.

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