Degrees & Majors
The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State University’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
Photography, M.F.A.
The Graduate Photography program provides a critical and conceptual grounding for students as they independently pursue their studio practice. The weekly seminar serves as the backbone of the program. Critical theory is stressed while critique forms the basis for dialogue about ongoing work. Students are encouraged to look beyond established photographic conventions and to push their work in new directions. Creative investigation across disciplines is avidly supported and results in students working in mixed media, video, digital, installation, performance and conventional photographic print media. Guest critics and guest artists are invited to final critiques to supplement the expertise of the faculty.
Printmaking, M.F.A.
The M.F.A. in Studio with a concentration in Printmaking supports artists who explore unique approaches to the creative endeavor and who transcend boundaries. We are interested in applicants who are searching for new insights into our culture and our time. The faculty encourages innovative and original ideas.
The curriculum of the Printmaking program ensures a comprehensive exposure to an array of perspectives as represented by the various approaches to media, content, imagery and teaching styles of our faculty. Students are encouraged to explore the continuing traditions of drawing and painting as well as printmaking, and to work in pursuit of new forms and with contemporary issues. While students work in the drawing, painting and printmaking combined seminar for a majority of their studio credit hours, they are highly encouraged to move among media with other studio areas within the School of Art & Design.
The Printmaking program integrates a number of traditional and alternative printmaking techniques, including etching, lithography, screen-printing, monoprinting, photo-transfer processes, block printing, book arts, papermaking and computer-based imaging. The print shop, book and paper-making facilities are frequented by photo, graphic design, textile and drawing and painting majors as well as printmaking majors, creating a lively atmosphere and interchange between disciplines.
Sculpture, B.F.A.
The Sculpture emphasis fosters thoughtful integration of concept and media. Students explore diverse interests while acquiring skills in woodworking, metal fabrication, casting and digital technologies. The program offers a full range of courses in traditional media and contemporary methodologies and encourages innovation and experimentation in performance, installation and other sculptural media. The B.F.A. in Studio with an emphasis in sculpture readies students for graduate work and other creative professional opportunities.
Students benefit from the initiatives of the Edgewood Sculpture Forum, the chartered student sculpture group. The Edgewood Sculpture Forum brings visiting artists to the school for lectures and workshops, conducts the annual Holiday Iron Pour, organizes exhibitions of student work in the Atlanta community and procures funding for travel to conferences.
Sculpture, M.F.A.
The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Sculpture program emphasizes professional skills and achievements and fosters personal direction, diversity, technical proficiency and professional presentation. The Sculpture program offers a highly progressive curriculum that considers Sculpture as a broad-based, interdisciplinary practice while fostering technical mastery of the material. The individual direction of each student is further developed and focused through intensive time in the studio, group interaction across disciplines and periodic critical reviews. Sensitive handling of material and depth of inquiry are the unifying characteristics of work made in the Sculpture M.F.A. program.
The program emphasizes group seminars and critiques to provide a variety of settings for the development and exchange of ideas relevant to the arts in general and sculpture in particular. In the final two semesters of the graduate program, the student completes a thesis exhibition and writes a supporting thesis paper.
A strong component of the graduate program involves assistantships in either studio work or in teaching undergraduate-level courses. Students may teach a variety of courses during their studies, from Foundations to Introductory Sculpture. These experiences in conjunction with the acquisition of professional skills such as resume writing, job application skills and self-promotion prepare the student with the tools to be a professional artist once studies are complete.
Studio, B.A. in Art
The Bachelor of Arts – Art, Concentration In Studio is the initial degree that undergraduate studio art students are accepted into at Georgia State. A student can elect to apply to the B.F.A. program or remain a student in the B.A. In Studio program. A student in Studio Art must first complete the 18 credit Foundation Area (Area F) required courses in order to enroll in the 3000 level Studio Art courses that serve as the student’s audition to the B.F.A. program. Should a student choose not to apply to a B.F.A. concentration, these initial courses also complete the Studio Art course requirements (9 courses in Studio art) for the B.A. The intent of the bachelor of arts in Studio is to have four different types of art-making courses represented in the studio coursework (a B.F.A. has focused study in one area).
Students benefit from the initiatives of the Edgewood Sculpture Forum, the chartered student sculpture group. The Edgewood Sculpture Forum brings visiting artists to the school for lectures and workshops, conducts the annual Holiday Iron Pour and silent art auction, organizes exhibitions of student work in the Atlanta community, procures funding for travel to conferences and participates in the management of the student-run art space, CAGE SPACE. The activities of the Edgewood Sculpture Forum are supported by the Art Student Union, the umbrella organization for chartered student groups in the school.
Textiles, B.F.A.
The Textiles emphasis fosters personal exploration of subject matter, technical proficiency in a broad range of working methods and professional presentation. Textiles is presented in both historic and contemporary contexts, demonstrating the continuing relevance of the field and its many applications. The work produced in the Textiles B.F.A. has prepared students for careers in fine art, the textile industry, the film industry, and graduate study.
Once accepted into the program, students in the Textiles emphasis begin with basic textile design courses providing a foundation in surface design and basic sewn structures. At the intermediate and advanced levels, students broaden their technical experience by learning hand and digital processes in quilting, embroidery, pattern design, pattern printing. Students also learn soft sculpture processes, hand and machine tufting, on and off-loom weaving and other flexible forms.
Students are encouraged to develop multi-media and inter-disciplinary approaches, and take electives in other disciplines.
Textiles, M.F.A.
The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Textiles program emphasizes professional skills and achievements and fosters personal direction, diversity, technical proficiency and professional presentation. The Textiles program offers a highly progressive curriculum that considers Textiles as a broad-based practice while providing a strong foundation in the history of the discipline and fostering technical mastery of the material. The individual direction of each student is further developed and focused through intensive time in the studio, group interaction across disciplines and periodic critical reviews. Sensitive handling of material, the integrity of craftsmanship and depth of inquiry are the unifying characteristics of work made in the Textiles M.F.A. program.
The program emphasizes group seminars and critiques to provide a variety of settings for the development and exchange of ideas relevant to the arts in general and textiles in particular. In the final two semesters of the graduate program, the student completes a thesis exhibition and writes a supporting thesis paper.
A strong component of the graduate program involves assistantships in either studio work or in teaching undergraduate-level courses. Students may teach a variety of courses during their studies, from Foundations to Intermediate Textiles. These experiences in conjunction with the acquisition of professional skills such as resume writing, job application skills and self-promotion prepare the student with the tools to be a professional artist once studies are complete.
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