MFA in Studio, MA in Art History, & MA Ed. in Art Education

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design, of the College of the Arts at Georgia State University, features an internationally active faculty and a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for professional careers in art and design. The school is NASAD accredited and offers an MA in Art History, MAT and MA Ed. in Art Education, and an MFA in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Textiles. These full-time degree programs encourage excellence through experimentation, cross-disciplinary pursuits, and critical analyses of existing ideas about art, art teaching, and art history. The school fosters critical thinking and dynamic artistic production within an interdisciplinary environment.

Tuiton wavers and funding
All MFA students receive full tuition waivers and monthly stipends as part of assistantships and numerous MA/MA Ed. research assistantships are granted with equal benefits. Graduate assistantships are available for all students in the MFA Studio programs, MA in Art History, and MA Ed. programs. Students are additionally elligible for competitive fellowships including the premium Welch Fellowships, which funds students for the entire three years of study, in addition to the student’s regular stipend and full tuition waiver. Students may also apply for extra, internal grant funding for research, travel, and materials twice a year.

Urban location 
The downtown location encourages connections with local art networks, such as the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary, MOCA GA, and a solid network of commercial galleries, alternative spaces, and grassroots artist organizations. Alumni, faculty, and students are very involved in the expanding and ever-evolving scene of the international hub, having founded a number of artist-run organizations, nonprofits, and creative publications.

Gallery 
The Welch School Galleries support the curriculum by curating regional, national, and international art exhibitions throughout the year, while providing a venue for thesis exhibitions. The galleries host presentations and panel discussions, providing students with access to professional artists and scholars.

Programs 
The Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series offers a year-round calendar of lectures that provides students with access to a diverse mix of renowned artists and scholars encouraging artistic discourse and leading studio critiques and workshops.

Studios & resources 
MFAs are given personal studio spaces and 24-hour access to shared studio equipment, which allows for creative exploration and research in their area of study. 

Third year opportunities
As a signature, professional experience, third year graduates are exposed to international art fairs, given the opportunity to travel, and exhibit or research. In previous years, students exhibited at Aqua Art Miami during Basel week and attended a two-week summer artist residency in Burren, Ireland . Other students have had the opportunity to go to Europe for the Venice Bienniale, Documenta 14, and the Münster Skulptur Projekte. The Art Education program also hosts a recurring summer semester in China. Additional supplemental funding is provided for students to pursue summer residencies and Art History graduate students qualify for a writing mentor series with a local art publication. These unique opportunities yield career-building experience from curator and collector networking, to professional practice, and offer experiences from focused art making and exposure to the greater, international, contemporary art scene.

For information and to apply
Please visit artdesign.gsu.edu or contact Graduate Coordinator, Wesley Harvey: T 404 413 5256, wharvey [​at​] gsu.edu

MFA submission guidelines / Graduate student handbook / Graduate curriculum