Masters

Art - Visual Culture

Overview

The M.A. in Visual Culture offers graduate students the opportunity for critical study and analysis of artistic and cultural production throughout history.

As an interdisciplinary field of study, visual culture emerges out of a number of established disciplines including, but not limited to, art history, anthropology, cultural studies, history, literature, media studies, music, and theatre.

In addition to the study of canonical works of art, an M.A. in Visual Culture allows for the examination of those objects and images that have not fit into the traditional boundaries of art history. This degree program is intended to complement and take advantage of the fact that individuals in many different fields are already working within the bounds of visual culture.

Point of Pride

The Wonsook Kim School of Art's extensive visiting artists program exposes students to a wide range of contemporary artists in all disciplines.

Dr. Saskia Beranek
(309) 438-2312
Center for Visual Arts 203A

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Discover what life as an Illinois State graduate student is like.

How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA

You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a master's program.

Statement of Intent

Submit a statement of intent that explains your goals and interest in pursuing studies in visual culture.

Transcripts

Submit official copies of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

Writing Samples

Submit at least three papers that illustrate your research and writing skills.

Reference Contact Information

Submit the names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application.

Application Deadlines

Fall Term — This program is not accepting applicants for the fall 2023 semester. Please consult the graduate coordinator for more details.

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Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
be in good-standing
be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.