Graduate Studies
Division of Communicative Arts
General Information
Strong visual and verbal communications are vital aspects of today’s business and creative communities.
The Master of Fine Arts in art and the Master of Arts in commercial art programs are designed to develop the individual’s ability to communicate effectively in the visual arts. Building on a strong foundation of undergraduate art training, these master’s programs allow for intense individual development in necessary skills. Skilled artists will train the student in a variety of media, preparing the student for future work.
The Master of Fine Arts in dramatics and the Master of Arts in interpretive speech balance the theory and technique of their respective disciplines with practical application. These programs provide advanced training in directing and staging dramatic productions and personal interpretation while further developing the student’s research skills. Special emphasis is given to training directors and performers to meet the artistic needs of Christian ministries.
Admission Requirements
See General Admission Requirements. In addition, applicants for a graduate degree in art must have majored in art or graphic design on the undergraduate level. A portfolio of representative work must be submitted. Speech applicants need at least 18 semester credits of interpretive speech on the undergraduate level and must audition in person. Those living beyond 400 miles from Pensacola may submit a high-quality video recording.
Master of Fine Arts [M.F.A.] in Art
Residence Requirements
A minimum of 33 months of residence work beginning with fall semester is required. The sequence of terms is fall, spring, post-term, summer, fall, spring, summer, fall, and spring. A public show must be given and a thesis prepared before graduate work is completed.
Candidacy
See Candidacy.
Course Requirements
| Art | Hours |
|---|---|
| AR 511 Conceptual Communication for the Visual Artist | 3 |
| AR 512 Advanced Conceptual Communication* | 3 |
| AR 515 Art History | 3 |
| AR 516 Art History | 3 |
| AR 519 Graduate Graphic Design | 3 |
| AR 521 Graduate Painting | 3 |
| AR 522 Graduate Painting* | 3 |
| AR 530 Advanced Digital Design | 2 |
| AR 531 Advanced Digital Graphics* | 3 |
| AR 532 Web Design | 3 |
| AR 611 Graduate Art Research Project | 3 |
| AR 641 Graduate Studio | 4 |
| AR 645 Professional Studio | 3 |
| AR 646 Professional Studio | 3 |
| AR 647 Graduate Studio | 3 |
| AR 650 Graduate M.F.A. Show | 3 |
| AR 652 Graduate Thesis | 3 |
| Education or Bible Emphasis | 12 |
Total Hours |
60 |
| *Student selects which two courses to take based on proficiency interest (AR 512, 522, or 531). | |
Master of Fine Arts [M.F.A.] in Dramatics
Residence Requirements
A minimum of 33 months of residence work beginning with Pre-term session (Aug. 23–Sept. 3, 2010) is required. The sequence of terms is pre-term, fall, spring, summer, fall, spring, fall, spring, and an interterm session. A dramatic production must be completed successfully and a thesis prepared before graduate work is completed.
Candidacy
See Candidacy.
Course Requirements
| Dramatics | Hours |
|---|---|
| DP 511 Intro. to Graduate Studies | 2 |
| DP 515 Production Management | 3 |
| DP 521 Advanced Acting | 3 |
| DP 530 Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| DP 603 Adv. Stage Makeup/Costuming | 2 |
| DP 605 Studies in Directing | 3 |
| DP 611 Graduate Dramatic Production Research Project | 3 |
| DP 618 Adv. Scene Design/Stage Lighting | 2 |
| DP 619 Advanced Lighting Design | 3 |
| DP 645 Performance Studio | 3 |
| DP 671–673 Practicum in Dramatic Production I, II, III (3 hrs. each) | 9 |
| DP 675 M.F.A. Dramatic Production | 3 |
| IS 517 Adv. Interpretation of Poetry | 3 |
| IS 520 Adv. Interpretation of Dramatic and Narrative Literature | 3 |
| IS 527 Advanced Group Interpretation | 3 |
| Education or Bible Emphasis* | 12 |
Total Hours |
60 |
| *Students with no previous teaching experience take ED 545 Principles of Instruction and Methods. | |
Master of Arts [M.A.] in Commercial Art
Residence Requirements
Twenty-one months of residence work beginning with fall semester is required. The sequence of terms is fall, spring, post-term, fall, spring. A public show must be given before graduate work is completed.
Course Requirements
| Commercial Art | Hours |
|---|---|
| AR 511 Conceptual Communication for the Visual Artist | 3 |
| AR 512 Advanced Conceptual Communication* | 3 |
| AR 515 or 516 Art History | 3 |
| AR 519 Graduate Graphic Design | 3 |
| AR 521 Graduate Painting | 3 |
| AR 522 Graduate Painting* | 3 |
| AR 530 Advanced Digital Design | 2 |
| AR 531 Advanced Digital Graphics* | 3 |
| AR 532 Web Design | 3 |
| AR 541-542 Graduate Studio (3 hrs. each) | 6 |
| AR 550 Graduate Show | 3 |
Total Hours |
32 |
| *Student selects which two courses to take based on proficiency interest (AR 512, 522, or 531). | |
Master of Arts [M.A.] in Interpretive Speech
Residence Requirements
Twenty-one months of residence work beginning with a Pre-term session (Aug. 23–Sept. 3, 2010) is required. The sequence of terms is pre-term, fall, spring, fall, spring, and an interterm session. A public recital must be given before graduate work is completed.
Candidacy
See Candidacy.
Graduation Requirements
Course Requirements
| Interpretive Speech | Hours |
|---|---|
| DP 521 Advanced Acting | 3 |
| DP 603 Advanced Stage Makeup/Costuming | 2 |
| DP 605 Studies in Directing | 3 |
| DP 618 Advanced Scene Design/Stage Lighting | 2 |
| IS 511 Introduction to Graduate Studies | 2 |
| IS 517 Advanced Interpretation of Poetry | 3 |
| IS 520 Advanced Interpretation of Dramatic and Narrative Literature | 3 |
| IS 527 Advanced Group Interpretation | 3 |
| IS 541 Graduate Research | 2 |
| IS 651-653 Private Lessons in Oral Interpretation (1 hr. each) | 3 |
| IS 654 Graduate Recital Preparation | 1 |
| IS 656 Graduate Recital | 3 |
Total Hours |
30 |