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 a degree in the History of Art (or its equivalent) from a recognized institution.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree other than History of Art will be considered for admission provided that an adequate background in the History of Art 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.
Students who are accepted into the thesis-based MA program will normally require two academic years of full-time enrollment to complete their program of studies. Exceptions to this regulation will require the consent of the Department and the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
Students in the course-based MA will normally require either one academic year in full-time enrollment or two to four years in part-time enrollment.
Students must declare whether they intend to follow the thesis-based or course-based program at the beginning of their graduate studies. Anyone wishing to change their program must obtain the approval of the HADVC Graduate Advisor.
Thesis-based MA:
In addition to satisfying the general requirements of the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, students in the thesis-based MA program must complete the following 18 units approved by the HADVC graduate advisor:
- 9 units from History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture offerings at the 500- and 600-levels
- HADVC 600 - Advanced Theory and Methods in Art, Design and Visual Culture
- 6 units may be taken outside the Department, subject to the approval of the thesis or HADVC graduate advisor
- Students will be required to pass a translation test in a language other than English, or a language reading course or approved equivalent with a minimum grade of C+ before proceeding to thesis.
Course-based MA:
In addition to satisfying the general requirements of the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, students in the course-based MA program must complete the following 24 units approved by the HADVC graduate advisor:
- HADVC 900 - Directed Research Project
- HADVC 600 - Advanced Theory and Methods in Art, Design and Visual Culture
- 15 units from History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture offerings at the 500- and 600-levels
- 6 units may be taken outside HADVC with the approval of the HADVC graduate advisor
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