The MFA
The MFA is a terminal degree that prepares students to become professional artists, work in technology or arts-related fields, and teach at the university level. It requires 60 credits, during which time students fulfill 45 credits of core and studio requirements plus an additional 15 credits of comprehensive experience. MFA students may choose an emphasis in digital arts, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or Inter Arts. The latter offers students the opportunity to combine art forms in interdisciplinary projects that may be installation, performance, publishing, time-based, or writing-based, and combine creative and critical approaches in their work.
Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education
This pre-service degree program prepares students with a BFA degree for PreK-12 art licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Using a studio-based approach to art education and working closely with area public school systems, the MAT degree consists of 30 credits of graduate art education, school practicum experience, and studio work prior to pre-service teaching internship and seminar.
Master of Arts in Graphic Design
This concentration is under review by the AVT faculty. More information about the degree will be announced Spring 2009.
The MA in arts management responds to a growing demand for graduates who can manage and coordinate the arts, bridging the world of performing and visual arts with applied managerial skills. The Washington, D.C region is home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of performing and visual arts organizations. The demand for arts managers with skills in financial and budgetary management, strategic management and entrepreneurship, and public relations, including marketing and advertising, has arguably never been more acute. The need for arts managers with skills in philanthropy, fund raising, and ongoing relationship-building management among the private and public arts sectors also continues to grow at a fast pace. The MA is a 36-credit program of study that provides a core curriculum in the fundamentals of arts management. Students complete a 23-credit core and then select courses from a cluster: entrepreneurship in the arts and management; finance and budgeting for the arts; marketing and public relations; or an arts-specific cluster. Students also take internal and external internships. The internal internship affords an in-depth opportunity to work with professionals in residence at Mason's Center for the Arts. The external internship provides the opportunity to work at one of 60 different visual and performing arts venues in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Students also take internal and external internships. The internal internship affords an in-depth opportunity to work with professionals in residence at Mason's Center for the Arts. The external internship provides the opportunity to work at one of 60 different visual and performing arts venues in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
The MFA in dance is a 60-credit program of study grounded in the modern dance genre that emphasizes performance, choreography, and teaching. Candidates are expected to enter the program with advanced technical proficiency in ballet or modern technique, and professional competence in choreography exemplified by a significant body of work. Acceptance into this advanced and rigorous program is highly competitive.
MM
The MM degree is offered as an educational channel to meet the intellectual and career needs of qualified students. It is a comprehensive and advanced program of study with a choice of concentrations in performance (single or multiple instruments), music education, composition, conducting, and pedagogy and performance. The MM with a concentration in music education does not provide licensure to teach music in public or private schools.
Doctor of Musical Arts degree calls for 60 credits beyond the master's degree in music. The programmatic areas of concentration will be offered in Performance, Conducting, and Composition.
Admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts — Application deadlines for all degrees are as published by the university. Applicants must have an earned master’s degree in music from an accredited college or university, with a GPA of 3.50 in graduate music courses in the proposed area of specialization. Students in performance and conducting must schedule a formal entrance audition; composition students will be required to present a portfolio of compositions and recordings of performances of recent work. The following materials must be submitted as part of the application process:
- Completed application form;
- A non-refundable application fee;
- GRE General test;
- Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates for residents;
- Appropriate international paperwork, as required by the University;
- Official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate program attended;
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty members, or those who can evaluate the applicant’s academic potential; and
- A sample of academic writing about music, such as a graduate-level paper from a musicology course taken during master's studies.
PhD in Music Education calls for 60 credits beyond the master’s degree in music. This degree combines the academic efforts of the Department of Music with at least three research-based courses from the College of Education and Human Development.
Admission to the Ph.D. in Music Education — Admission to the PhD in Music Education normally requires three years of successful full-time teaching at the elementary or secondary level or its equivalent as determined by the Graduate Committee. Application deadlines for all degrees are as published by the university. Applicants must have an earned master’s degree in music from an accredited college or university, with a GPA of 3.50 in graduate music education courses. Students must schedule an interview with Music Faculty (including the Director of Graduate Studies of the Department of Music) prior to admission. The following materials must be submitted as part of the application process:
- Completed application form;
- A non-refundable application fee;
- GRE General test;
- Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates for residents;
- Appropriate international paperwork, as required by the University;
- Official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate program attended;
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty members, or those who can evaluate the applicant’s academic potential;
- A sample of academic writing about music, such as a graduate-level paper from a musicology course taken during master's studies; and
- A dossier of teaching experience and activities.
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