Graduate FAQ
Program
Can I do the program through distance learning?
No
Can I do the program part-time?
Only under certain circumstances. Please set up an appointment with the Graduate Advisor to discuss this.
Do you offer double or dual degrees with other graduate programs?
No, but you may supplement your work in Art Education with one of the university's many graduate Portfolio Programs.
Can I pursue Teacher Certification as part of my Master’s degree work?
Yes. We offer a Schools track that has two options:
- Schools without Certification
This option is generally followed by individuals that currently hold state licensure. - Schools plus Certification
This option is available for individuals seeking a master's degree and Texas all-level visual art teaching certification. (Contact the Graduate Advisor for details as the state has requirements for certification beyond the degree coursework.)
Financial
How much does the program cost?
Refer to the Tuition & Funding page for more information.
How do I fund my degree?
Refer to the Tuition & Funding page for more information.
Do I have to submit a separate application to receive fellowships, grants, or teaching assistantships?
No. All candidates who are offered admission are automatically considered for funding. However, we strongly recommend all applicants complete the FAFSA application prior to the priority deadline of March 15 in order to qualify for grants and other need-based forms of aid, regardless of whether or not they intend to take out student loans or grants.
Visiting
Can I schedule an individual appointment and/or tour with faculty/staff?
Usually, yes. Contact the Graduate Advisor at least two weeks in advance of when you would like to visit.
Can I sit in on a graduate class?
It's not guaranteed, but reach out to the Graduate Advisor if you're interested in sitting in on a class.
Admissions
Do you offer spring admissions?
No, we admit students for fall semester only.
I didn't major in Art or Art History for my undergraduate degree. Can I still apply?
Yes
Do I have to specify a Program Track?
Yes. Please be very clear in your application which Track you are seeking. Students are admitted not only to the Art Education program, but also to a specific Track
Who should be my recommenders?
People familiar with your scholarly and/or education work who have worked with you as teachers or supervisors.
Is the GRE required?
Check back for information about GRE requirements.
Do I have to meet TOEFL/IELTS requirements?
All international students who did not attend U.S. or other Anglophone undergraduate institutions must meet language requirements. Learn more on the Graduate School's website.
How long should the statement be?
Two to three focused, double-spaced pages should suffice.
Do my writing samples have to be things I wrote in college? What if I no longer have them?
Do you have any writing that is related to your work or experiences since graduation? If not, contact the Graduate Advisor for further information.
Am I required to submit a portfolio?
A portfolio of work is encouraged for the Schools plus Certification track as part of the admission process. Upload a portfolio as a supplemental document using a PDF of a Powerpoint or Google Slides. The portfolio should contain 10–20 images of your strongest work, demonstrating both breadth (a range of media) and depth (a concentration that explores a concept or idea in depth). Please include titles of works, media, and dimensions.
Are interviews required for admission?
An interview may be requested as part of the admissions process.
When will I receive an admissions decision?
Applicants should receive a decision by the end of February.
Program
Can I do the program through distance learning?
No
Can I do the program part-time?
Only under certain circumstances. Please set up an appointment with the Graduate Advisor to discuss this.
Do you offer double or dual degrees with other graduate programs?
No, but you may supplement your work in Art History with one of the university's many graduate Portfolio Programs.
Financial
How much does the program cost?
Refer to the Tuition & Funding page for more information.
How do I fund my degree?
Refer to the Tuition & Funding page for more information.
Do I have to submit a separate application to receive fellowships, grants, or teaching assistantships?
No. All candidates who are offered admission are automatically considered for funding. However, we strongly recommend all applicants complete the FAFSA application prior to the priority deadline of March 15 in order to qualify for grants and other need-based forms of aid, regardless of whether or not they intend to take out student loans or grants.
Visiting
Can I schedule an individual appointment and/or tour with faculty/staff?
Students are welcome to request appointments with faculty and staff, either in person or virtually. Due to the volume of applicants, tours are not generally provided. Students accepted to the program may be invited to visit campus in the spring semester. Learn more about visits.
Can I sit in on a graduate class?
It's not guaranteed, but reach out to the Graduate Advisor if you're interested in sitting in on a class.
Application
Can I apply to the MA or PhD program if I don't have an art history degree or background?
Strong applicants holding degrees from fields outside art history will be considered.
Do I have to have a master’s degree to apply to the PhD program?
You must have a master’s degree to apply to our PhD program. If you are pursuing a master’s in our MA program and wish to apply to the PhD program, you may do so during your final semester in a streamlined, internal-applicant process.
Do you offer spring admissions?
No, we admit students for fall semester only.
How long should my statement be?
Content is more important than length, although typically the statement is one or two single-spaced pages.
Do my writing samples have to be things I wrote in college?
PhD applicants should submit their MA thesis. Generally, the writing samples for MA applicants should include your senior or honors thesis and a college research paper. Other types of writing can be substituted if you feel it represents your most important work. The writing samples serve to demonstrate your ability to research and think creatively about complex intellectual problems.
Is the GRE required?
The GRE score requirement is waived for Fall 2024 admissions applicants.
Do I have to meet TOEFL/IELTS requirements?
All international students who did not attend U.S. or other Anglophone undergraduate institutions must meet language requirements. Learn more on the Graduate School's website.
When will I receive an admissions decision?
Applicants should receive a decision before the end of February.
Program
Can I do the program part-time or through distance learning?
No
Do you offer double or dual degrees with other graduate programs?
No
Do I only study with faculty in my own medium/area?
No. Once admitted, students can study with any Graduate Studies Faculty member with whom a mutual working relationship is agreed.
Financial
How much does the program cost?
Refer to the Tuition & Funding page for more information.
How do I fund my degree?
Refer to the Tuition & Funding page for more information.
Do I have to submit a separate application to receive fellowships, grants, or teaching assistantships?
No. All candidates who are offered admission are automatically considered for funding. However, we strongly recommend all applicants complete the FAFSA application prior to the priority deadline of March 15 in order to qualify for grants and other need-based forms of aid, regardless of whether or not they intend to take out student loans or grants.
Visiting
Can I schedule an individual appointment and/or tour with faculty/staff?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the the annual Virtual Open House for prospective grads. Please note that if you are offered admission to the program, you will be given an opportunity to visit campus in the spring.
Can I sit in on a graduate class?
No. Graduate classes are small and constitute artistic communities built over time. Visitors can disrupt and distract from the work that students are there to do.
Application
I studied something else for my undergraduate degree. Can I still apply?
Yes. However, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year institution in-hand by the time you plan to matriculate.
Do you offer spring admissions?
No, we admit students for fall semester only.
How long should my statement be?
Your statement shouldn't exceed 500 words.
What should be in my portfolio?
Your best, most current work that displays a point of view and supports your candidacy in the area in which you are applying. See the Portfolio Requirements section of the Apply page
Do I have to submit 20 images?
Yes
Can I include detail images?
Yes
Even though I’m applying in one area, can I include work that I did in a different area?
Yes, but note that only faculty members from the area in which you are applying will be evaluating your work.
Do I have to meet TOEFL/IELTS requirements?
All international students who did not attend U.S. or other Anglophone undergraduate institutions must meet language requirements. Learn more on the Graduate School's website.
Is the GRE required?
No
Who should be my recommenders?
People familiar with your artwork who have worked with you as instructors or employers.
Do you conduct interviews?
Yes. We will conduct Zoom or phone interviews with finalists in each area by mid-February.
How do you evaluate the applicants?
Area faculty give a full-file review to all artwork, written material, and interview.
How many people apply each year?
150–200 applicants are considered for 9-12 seats. The most updated admissions data may be found on the Graduate School's website.
When will I find out if I am accepted?
Admissions decisions are generally sent by the end of February, or at the latest, mid-March.
I applied before. Can I reapply?
Yes. Previous applicant files are reviewed without prejudice.
If accepted, can I defer?
Generally, students must attend for the semester in which they apply. Only under extenuating circumstances and with the program’s agreement can an applicant defer.
Can I get a critique of my submitted materials?
Due to the sheer volume of applicants, we cannot offer critiques of files.