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California State University, Chico
College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Art MA

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  • Program Type

    Graduate

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

Request Information About This Program

The Master of Arts in Art prepares you for a variety of professional opportunities and for entrance to doctoral programs in other institutions.

The emphasis is on scholarly research and writing. You will focus on a broad knowledge of the history of art and benefit from faculty who specialize in medieval art, modern art, and art from ancient Mesoamerica, and who are dedicated to mentoring students through the program.

The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Janet Turner Print Museum workshop for kids

Research and Writing Skills for Diverse Career Paths

You can expect to gain expansive knowledge about art history and gain specialized skills in research and writing about art. You can apply those skills in a variety of settings, including museums, auction houses, galleries, non-profit arts organizations and foundations, and academic institutions.

Group entering Turner Art Museum

Show the World the Impact of Art

Obtaining your MA in art will prepare you for career skills like:

  • Designing, organizing, and conducting art tours and workshops for the public
  • Planning and conducting art research projects
  • Displaying, acquiring, and storing exhibit collections

You will be prepared to work as a K-12 teacher, in higher education, or as a gallery owner, museum director, art director, and historic preservation specialists. Other career paths include art and estate appraisers, fashion designers and crafts, fine art, and multimedia artist.

Sign that reads Hard Pressed

Museums and Galleries on Campus

The Janet Turner Print Museum and Jacki Headley University Art Gallery not only provide you with great resources to learn from, but they are also prospective places of employment for you to gain hands-on experience with curatorial practices, collection management, public engagement, and other highly valued skills.

“
The personalized support, teaching and curatorial internships/opportunities, have all prepared me for what I do now as tenured Art History Faculty...
Sara Smallhouse (MA, Art History, ’15)

Learn from an Engaged Artist Community

Chico State’s faculty and staff take pride in being easily accessible. We are eager to explore ideas with you and help you realize their professional and creative goals. Our faculty of artists, scholars, and designers are nationally and internationally recognized.

  • Two students holding up t-shirts.

    Visiting Artists

    Hopper Visiting Artist Series bridges the distance from metropolitan art centers by inviting artists from outside our local community for interactive sessions.

  • Art student showcases an exhibition of their work

    Display Your Work

    Open Studios events and multiple campus galleries provide students with opportunities to publicly exhibit their artwork.

  • Students learns weaving technique from visiting artist

    Get Teaching Experience

    Obtain experience and get paid by working as a teaching assistant

A group during an event at the Turner museum

Coming together with Your Peers

The Art History Collective is an active student club that organizes exhibitions, plans field trips, and writes reviews of local art exhibitions. It’s just one of several student-run clubs and professional organizations for art students.

Additional Information

Are you ready to pursue and turn your passion into a rewarding career? See the information below to start the process of earning your MA in art at Chico State.

All prospective students must first apply for graduate admissions through Cal State Apply. Supplementary materials will either be collected electronically via Cal State Apply or sent directly to the program department.

Application Deadlines

Fall: March 1
Spring: December 1 (September 16 for international applicants)

Supplemental Materials

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Two upper-division art history papers

Graduate students can qualify for traditional financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Scholarship Opportunities

California State University, Chico, provides merit and scholarship awards to deserving students for graduate studies, and many go unfilled. Scholarships are provided based on a variety of criteria, including academic merit, financial need, participation in clubs and activities, volunteer and community involvement, major and career goals, etc.

You can still pursue this degree if your undergraduate degree was in a different field. Occasionally, you may be required to take some prerequisites to bring you up to speed. Talk to the graduate coordinator for details.

The MA in art is a 30-unit program which can be completed in two years.

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