Why study this program?
The Department of Art and Design offers graduate programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in the History of Art, Design and Visual Culture and Master of Fine Arts and Master of Design degrees in a wide range of studio disciplines. The Department also offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts degree in History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture.
Programs leading to the MDes degree provide advanced studies in Visual Communication Design or Industrial Design. Programs leading to the MFA degree are designed to provide advanced studies in Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, or Drawing/Intermedia.
Programs leading to the MA and PhD degrees in the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture provide for advanced study and research. The MA can be either course-based or thesis-based.
Graduate students in studio are provided with adequate independent working spaces and with access to all the equipment necessary to develop their studies and explorations. A well-endowed University library and a departmental visual resources centre featuring access to digital images and over 300,000 slides provide reference material. Eighteen full-time members in the academic staff are available for supervision and discussion.
Inquiries should be addressed to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, Department of Art and Design.
Entrance Requirements
The Department’s minimum admission requirements for all master’s programs are a general undergraduate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a minimum TOEFL score of 95 (internet-based, with at least 21 per section) or equivalent, or a minimum score of 65 on the Pearson Test of English where applicable (refer to English Language Requirement). A student with a MA in the History of Art (or a related field) may be admitted as a candidate for the PhD degree.
Entrance Requirements
An applicant must normally hold an MA degree in the History of Art (or its equivalent) from a recognized institution.
Applicants with a MA degree other than History of Art will be considered for admission provided that an adequate background in the History of Art, equivalent to an MA degree in the discipline, can be demonstrated. Applicants are advised to have reading ability and course credits in a language other than English at a level satisfactory to the department. Applicants will be required to submit current samples of writing and documentation of previous education and work experience to the department by January 15, for admission in September of the year of application.
The program consists of 18 units at the graduate-level: one required (3-unit) [HADVC 600 or HADVC 677 (3 units)]; one 3-unit 500- or 600-level course in the area of focus; and 12 units in approved graduate-level courses (which may include courses from other departments or Faculties, or an independent study course (museum apprenticeship). In addition competence in at least one applicable language other than English must be demonstrated. Coursework is selected by the student in consultation with the supervisor, the Graduate Advisor in HADVC, or the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies in the Department of Art and Design.
Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the non-credit Pro-Seminar Series organized by the Department.
During their second year, doctoral students will prepare for and successfully complete a candidacy examination including a written component, which will be evaluated during the oral candidacy examination.
During their third and fourth years students will prepare and defend a dissertation during a final oral examination in accordance with regulations established by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings, under the following subject headings:
Art (ART)
Design (DES)
History of Art, Design and Visual Culture (HADVC)
Graduate teaching and research assistantships and a number of scholarships are available to qualified students.
For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research site.The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
Please refer to the detailed program information or email artdesgs@ualberta.ca.
General inquiriesPlease check out some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQS) to see if your question has been answered, or contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) during our office hours.
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
Killam Centre for Advanced Studies
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1