in person

Art

MA in Art

The MA in Art program introduces the fundamentals of contemporary art-making, allowing you to gain the knowledge and skills to understand and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

At a time when artists are called upon to perform a widening range of tasks and art is increasingly integrated with other practices, fields, and careers, our structured yet highly customizable program gives you the opportunity to become an artist whose works engages the world by changing it.

Program Highlights
  • Undertake an intensive, one-year course of study that includes one-on-one mentoring, group critiques, seminars, workshops, and lectures
  • Collaborate with other students and learn from professional artists and critics
  • Benefit from CGU’s proximity to the Los Angeles art community, the largest concentration of arts activity in the country
  • Present a final exhibition of your work

Program At-a-glance

  • 30 units

    required units

  • MA in Art

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Fall

    program start

  • 1 year | full time*

    estimated completion time

Faculty

  • David Pagel

    David Pagel

    Professor of Art Theory and History
    Roland Reiss Endowed Chair in Art
    Faculty Coordinator, Center for Business & Management of the Arts

    Research Interests

    Art, Art media, Painting, Contemporary Art, Art Criticism, Museums and Creativity

  • Portrait of Rachel Lachowicz

    Rachel Lachowicz

    Professor of Studio Art
    Chair, Art Department

    Research Interests

    Conceptual practices in feminism, materiality, and social politics

  • Portrait of David Amico

    David Amico

    Professor of Art

    Research Interests

    Art, Painting

  • Portrait of Carmine Lanaccone

    Carmine Iannaccone

    Adjunct Professor of Art

    Research Interests

    Art, Painting, Sculpture

  • Portrait of Julian Hoeber

    Julian Hoeber

    Adjunct Professor of Art

    Research Interests

    Sculpture, Installation

  • Portrait of Iva Gueorguieva

    Iva Gueorguieva

    Adjunct Professor of Art

    Research Interests

    Art, Painting

  • Portrait of M. Reafsnyder

    Michael Reafsnyder

    Adjunct Professor of Art

    Research Interests

    Art, Painting

  • flame logo graphic

    Heidi Schwegler

    Adjunct Professor of Art

    Research Interests

    Sculpture

Extended Faculty

  • Lisa Anne Auerbach

    Pomona College

    Research Interests

    Art, Knitting

  • Adam Davis

    Scripps College

    Research Interests

    Art, Ceramics, Sculpture

  • Ken Fandell

    Harvey Mudd College

    Research Interests

    Art, Photography, Sculpture

  • Ken Gonzales-Day

    Scripps College

    Research Interests

    Art, art criticism, art theory, photography,race and racial formation

  • George Gorse

    Pomona College

    Research Interests

    Italian Renaissance art and architecture; Italian Baroque art and architecture; Medieval art history; history of cities, palaces, villas, and gardens; history of Genoa

  • Kasper Kovitz

    Scripps College

    Research Interests

    Studio Arts, Art Theory

Curriculum

30 Required Units Include:

  • 15 units of studio art
  • 8 units of graduate seminars
  • 3 units of spatial engagement practicum
  • 2 units of written/video statement practicum
  • 2 units of MA project, working with graduate committee chair and members

Oral Advancement to Candidacy
Pass an oral advancement to candidacy. Based on your work over one semester, your written statement and the proposal for your final project, the oral advancement to candidacy is held after completion of approximately 15 units of coursework.

Final Exhibition of Works
Present a final exhibition of works, including installing, lighting, and publicizing the exhibition; hosting the reception; and speaking publicly at the event.

Curriculum Breakdown

Year 1
SEMESTER COURSES TOTAL UNITS
Fall Studio Art (7 units), Graduate Seminar (4 units), Spatial Engagement Practicum (3 units), Written/Video Statement Practicum (1 unit) 15 Units
Spring Studio Art (8 units), Graduate Seminar (4 units), MA project (2 units), Written/Video Statement Practicum (1 unit) 15 Units

Visiting Artist Lecture Series

Our Visiting Artist Lecture Series exposes you to professionals and practitioners with deep experience and insight. Visiting artists help mentor students, foster innovative projects, and promote intercollegiate collaboration. The lectures are free and open to the public.

More info on the Art Department

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)

Official Transcripts

Undergraduate/graduate

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.

English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
  • CGU allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.

Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.

Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Provide a one-page artist statement (no longer than 500 words). Please upload this statement after the submission of the application.

Letter of Recommendation

2 letters required

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.

Download the Recommendation Form

Portfolio

Applicants to the Art Department must electronically upload a portfolio of representative work for evaluation. Portfolios must be directly uploaded to the application after submission. Portfolios should consist of 15 images of recent artwork that represent a cohesive body of work. Applicants must include the title, size, year, and medium for all 15 images that are included in the portfolio. Performance and/or video artists may submit work that is no longer than 3 minutes in length.

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

Apply Now


Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 30 units
Tuition per unit* $1,660

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

 

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.

Review General Costs

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Extended Faculty

Lisa Anne Auerbach

Pomona College

Research Interests

Art, Knitting


Adam Davis

Scripps College

Research Interests

Art, Ceramics, Sculpture


Ken Fandell

Harvey Mudd College

Research Interests

Art, Photography, Sculpture


Ken Gonzales-Day

Scripps College

Research Interests

Art, art criticism, art theory, photography,race and racial formation


George Gorse

Pomona College

Research Interests

Italian Renaissance art and architecture; Italian Baroque art and architecture; Medieval art history; history of cities, palaces, villas, and gardens; history of Genoa


Kasper Kovitz

Scripps College

Research Interests

Studio Arts, Art Theory

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