Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design
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Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design

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Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs

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GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The overarching goal of our graduate programs in Art History, Art Education and Studio Art is to offer rigorous, scholarly, and studio-based activities that challenge and foster conceptual, technical, and intellectual development. Application deadline for the fall semester is February 1, 2023.

DID YOU KNOW?

Our M.F.A. tuition is fully waived and all graduate students have opportunities for stipends and assistantships.

Graduate Study

These full-time degree programs encourage excellence through experimentation, cross-disciplinary pursuits, and critical analyses of existing ideas about art, art teaching, and art history. The programs foster critical thinking and dynamic artistic production within an interdisciplinary environment.

Explore Our Programs

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Studio

The Master of Fine Arts in Studio program offers concentrations in nine different disciplines, but encourages multi-medium exploration. All MFA students receive full tuition waivers and monthly stipends as part of assistantships, 24-hour access to personal studios, and a third year experience for residency travel, funding, or exhibition opportunities.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS.
CERAMICS
PHOTOGRAPHY
DRAWING & PAINTING
PRINTMAKING
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SCULPTURE
INTERIOR DESIGN
TEXTILES
Art History
The graduate  program emphasizes the study of visual art in relation to the historical and cultural contexts in which it was created. Students receive training in various time periods and geographical areas of art history, while also gaining depth of knowledge in a particular specialization. Coursework takes the form of mixed-level lecture classes, graduate-only seminars, including Methodology and Historiography of Art, and electives in subjects outside art history.. Also available as a dual undergraduate/graduate program.
MORE ON THE M.A. PROGRAM
Art Education
The Master of Art Education (M.A.Ed.) is an advanced degree in art education structured to build a community of collegial professionals who demonstrate disciplinary expertise, including knowledge of the content of art education, skill with sound pedagogical strategies, understanding of current scholarship and issues in the field and the ability to positively affect student learning. Emphasis is placed on the teaching of diverse learners in urban and metropolitan settings.
MORE ON THE M.A. Ed. PROGRAM
M.A. in Teaching
Students seeking a teaching certification at the graduate level may apply to the M.A.T. in Art Education. Candidates for the M.A.T. may be asked to complete additional coursework as advised by graduate faculty based on the portfolio review. Students in this program may be artists who have worked in the community, experienced art teachers, or recent art graduates.
MORE ON THE M.A.T. PROGRAM

Enhanced Involvement Opportunities

Third Year Opportunities

As a signature, professional experience, third year graduates are exposed to international art fairs and conferences; given the opportunity to travel or exhibit in major cities; and/or are supported with opportunities to visit research-specific archives. These unique opportunities yield career-building experiences from curator and collector networking, to the development of professional practices, and offer experiences in focused art making and exposure to the greater international, contemporary art scene.

Welch Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series

The year-round calendar of lectures provides students with access to a diverse mix of renowned artists and scholars encouraging artistic discourse, and leading studio critiques and workshops. Graduate students have exclusive access to visiting artists. Among the visiting artists include Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Wafaa Bilal, Julian Hoeber, Marlene McCarty, Mark Scala, Stanley Wolukau-Wanambwa, Amanda Ross-Ho, The Propeller Group, Art Chantry, Jaap Blonk, Art Werger, Bethany Collins, Ghada Amer, and Mark Dion, among others.

Thesis Exhibitions and Art Venues

The Welch Galleries support the curriculum by curating regional, national, and international art exhibitions throughout the year, while providing a venue for thesis exhibitions. The galleries host presentations and panel discussions, providing students with personal access to professional artists and scholars.

Affordability and Scholarships

All MFA students receive full tuition waivers and monthly stipends as part of assistantships and numerous MA/MAEd research assistantships are granted with equal benefits. The fellowship's fund students for the entire three years of study, in addition to the student’s regular stipend and full tuition waiver. Graduate assistantships are available for students in the MFA Studio programs, MA in Art History, and MAEd programs. Students may also apply for extra, internal grant funding for research, travel, and materials twice a year.

24-hour Access & Studio Spaces

MFA Studio majors are provided with 24-hour access to private & semi-private studio space, which allow for creative exploration and research in their area of study. Our Welch facilities and resources include the Creative Media Center for renting technology; the Edgewood Sculpture Studio, complete with a metal shop, wood shop, laser cutters, and a foundry; and the Visual Resource Center. Students also have access to resources at the Creative Media Industry Institute and the makers space, EXLAB.

Application Requirements: Deadline February 1, 2023

—Completed online application (no paper applications accepted)
— Curriculum Vitae (CV) (required for M.F.A., M.A. Ed. and M.A.T., and M.A. Art History applicants)
— Artist Statement (M.F.A. applicants only)
— Application fee of $50
— Portfolio and Statement of Intent (M.F.A., M.A. Ed., and M.A.T. applicants)
— Writing sample and Statement of Intent (MA Art History applicants)
—Three letters of recommendation (required for M.F.A., M.A. Ed. and M.A.T., and M.A. Art History applicants)
— GRE test scores optional for the M.A. Art History
— One unofficial transcript from all other schools that you have attended for your application. If accepted, you will be required to submit one official transcript from each school. (required for M.F.A., M.A. Ed. and M.A.T., and M.A. Art History applicants)
BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION

Welch MFAs travel to New York City on the 20th Anniversary of the Graduate Welch Fund

This summer, rising third year M.F.A. candidates joined the flurry of visitors for what The New York Times called “Mad May:” a week filled with exhibition openings, panels, artist talks, and the Frieze international art fair. The group traveled under the leadership of Professor Craig Drennen, whose professional and social connections provided exclusive behind-the-scene tours and meetings with prominent art figures.

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GSU3

OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE EXPOSURE AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NATIONAL SCENE

Past Graduate Thesis

M.F.A. and M.A. students write culminating theses that correspond with the work in their thesis exhibition or research in their art historical focus.
READ PAST THESES

Graduate Handbook

For more specific information on graduate stipends, assistantships, opportunities, resources, procedures, and graduation requirements, reference our current graduate handbook.
LEARN MORE

Graduate Artist Forum

The Graduate Artist Forum is a student-run club for grad students that includes all concentrations. GAF hosts art sales, supports student participation in conferences and residencies, raises money for educational/professional trips, holds bi-annual exhibitions, and creates community outside of the classroom within our student body.
LEARN MORE

Contact Us

Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design

Art & Design Office Hours:
Monday—Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Contact Us

[email protected]

404-413-5221

404-413-5261 (Fax)

Connect with Us

WELCH FACULTY & STAFF DIRECTORY
WELCH SCHOOL GALLERIES

Administration & Staff

School Director: Michael White

Associate Director: Tim Flowers

Business Manager: Candiss Addison

Public Relations Coordinator: Jac Kuntz

Administrative Coordinator: Liz Flamming

Gallery Director: Cynthia Farnell

Foundations Coordinator

Neill Prewitt

[email protected]

Graduate Director

Wes Harvey
Room 124 Art & Humanities Bldg.

[email protected]

[email protected]

404-413-5229

Office/Delivery Address

10 Peachtree Center Avenue SE
Art & Humanities Building
Suite 117
Atlanta, GA 30303

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USPS Mailing Address:

Georgia State University
Ernest G. Welch School of
Art & Design
P.O. Box 3965
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3965

COLLEGE OF THE ARTS WEBSITE

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