ART THEORY AND PRACTICE

Welcome to the Department of Art Theory & Practice (AT&P) at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University. The department has both an undergraduate program, offering a baccalaureate degree, and a graduate program, offering a Masters of Fine Arts degree.

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graduate

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In order to earn the MFA degree, candidates must complete the required coursework as outlined below. They must also successfully complete a thesis, which includes an exhibition, a paper and a review by the graduate faculty. Additionally, candidates are expected to participate in departmental activities and fulfill departmental duties, which include participation in the visiting artist program and in end-of-the-quarter critiques with the full faculty. Graduate students must maintain at least an overall B average at all times. Typically the coursework is completed over a two-year period. The thesis is also often completed by the end of the second year, although MFA candidates sometimes elect to take another year to concentrate on their thesis exhibition and paper. Northwestern limits graduates to a total of five years to complete the degree, meaning MFA candidates have three years to successfully complete the thesis after finishing coursework. 		requirements (18 courses total)

At least 5 and not more than 6(six) 499 Independent Studies To insure that students study with a full range of graduate faculty over the course of their residency, and not overly narrow their interaction to only a few professors, the Department assigns all independent studies, matching each graduate with a different professor from term to term. The small number of students in the program means that students may easily continue to arrange meetings at any time with graduate faculty beyond their assigned independent study advisor

At least 2 AT&P seminars, one of which must be 427 Seminar in Professional Practices

At least 2 art history or criticism courses. Any 400 and 300 level seminar in the department may be used to
fulfill this requirement other than 427 Seminar in
Professional Pratices. Any 400 or 300 level course in the Department of Art History will fulfill this requirement, as will particular courses offered in departments such as Radio/TV/Film. Consult with the Director of Graduate Studies if you have questions.

At least 5 additional AT&P courses at the 300 or 400 level These include 422 Studio Art and 425 Special Problems in Art, which may be taken multiple times.

422 Thesis Practicum is required in the winter quarter of your second year of course work.

3 electives These can be fulfilled through courses within AT&P or in any other department in any other school at Northwestern.

Note that only 300 and 400 level classes can be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements. Under special circumstances, these requirements can be modified at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Department Chair.