Master of Arts in Art and Design

The Master of Arts in Art and Design prepares leaders in artistic industries with embodied professional practice and pedagogy, as well as local and global engagement. You will engage in collaborative inquiry with disciplinary experts to solve problems at an advanced level. This interdisciplinary/integrated degree mirrors our desire to break free of the limits of discipline-specific constraints.

When you complete this graduate degree program, you will demonstrate competencies in: critical inquiry, research and creative practice; innovative techniques and technologies to work in art and design; transferring skills and knowledge base across disciplines to think critically and to connect research to problem-solving in creative activity; diverse historical, contemporary culture and contexts; and collaborate on our core values for the development of personal narrative that intrinsically values art.

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Check out our graduate students' work in their MAAD Capstone Virtual Exhibitions!

 

Virtual Info Sessions

January 23, 2025

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 February 27, 2025

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March 20, 2025

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April 10, 2025

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Please reach out to Graduate Coordinator Pete Hriso for a meeting. 

EMAIL

 

Financial Information

Looking for a list of the Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 Tuition and Fees?

Financial Information

Program Snapshot

Program Format: Choose from Digital Animation, Art Education or Museum Studies
Course Delivery: 100% Online
Tuition/Credit Hour: Online $393
Number of Credit Hours: 30
Entry Term: Fall
Time to Complete: 1 Year Full-Time
Application Deadlines: 

  • Priority, February 1st
  • Final, June 1st
View Catalog Apply Now
KSU digital animation rabbit

 

Degree Concentrations

 

Digital Animation 

In this concentration, you will pursue advanced creative problems in digital media including frame-to-frame animation, rigged animation, storyboarding, and visual development for film and game media. The program will also challenge you with professional levels of research, idea communication, and critical ideation and development of your concepts. Upon completing the degree, you will be prepared for advanced animation careers and pursuits.

DIGITAL ANIMATION 1 YEAR STUDY PLAN 2 YEAR STUDY PLAN
    • ANIM 6100 - Creative Problems in Digital Animation I
    • ANIM 6105 - Creative Problems in Digital Animation II
    • ANIM 6110 - Research for Commercial Creatives
    • ANIM 6115 - Emoting and Communication for Creatives
    • ANIM 6120 - Ideation and Iteration for Creatives
    • ART 6010 Context, Culture & Contemporary Practice
    • ART 6020 Methods, Theory & Criticism
    • ART 6030 Technologies, Innovation Design Thinking
    • ART 7000 Thesis: Systemic Inquiry
    • ART 7100 Thesis: Research & Final
      or
    • ART 7050 Project: Systematic Inquiry
    • ART 7150 Project: Research & Final

    Students are expected to complete 15 hours in the required courses above.

  • Name
    Position

    • Assistant Director of the School of Art and Design and Associate Professor of Graphic Design

      cbrasco@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6730
      VA 228

      website

    • Assistant Professor of Animation and Illustration

      schamb37@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6139
      VA 202

      website

    • Graduate Coordinator and Professor of Art

      phriso@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6138
      VA 239

      Website

    • Assistant Professor of Digital Media

      jking272@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6139
      VA 223A

      website

    • Assistant Professor of Animation and Illustration

      cmalon19@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6139
      VA 231

      website

Art Education 

The Master of Arts in Art and Design with a concentration in Art Education is designed for teachers who are currently teaching (nationally and internationally) and have licensure, as well as for individuals who are interested in careers within the field of art education that do not require teaching licensure. The concentration focuses on theory-informed practice and the development of student-centered, innovative teaching and learning skills. You will develop methods that facilitate opportunities for students of a broad range of ages and abilities to think critically and solve problems creatively. This concentration in Art Education aligns with The National Visual Arts Standards, and SACS and NASAD requirements for accreditation. Teachers in Georgia who complete this degree will be eligible for an infield upgrade per the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

ART EDUCATION 1 YEAR STUDY PLAN 2 YEAR STUDY PLAN
    • ARED 6100 - Exploration of Visual Arts
    • ARED 6105 - Contemporary Teaching Strategies
    • ARED 6110 - Advanced Studio Practice and Reflective Teaching Course
    • ARED 6115 - STEM and Maker Space Studio
    • ARED 6120 - Media Arts
    • ART 6010 Context, Culture & Contemporary Practice
    • ART 6020 Methods, Theory & Criticism
    • ART 6030 Technologies, Innovation Design Thinking
    • ART 7000 Thesis: Systemic Inquiry
    • ART 7100 Thesis: Research & Final
      or
    • ART 7050 Project: Systematic Inquiry
    • ART 7150 Project: Research & Final

    Students are expected to complete 15 hours in the
    required courses above. 

  • Name
    Position

Museum Studies 

Students in the Museum Studies concentration will explore the diversity and function of museums and their contributions to society on a local, regional, national, and global level. You will acquire familiarity with the practical aspects of the study, exhibition, conservation, storage of artifacts, artworks, documents, and other objects in museums. A central focus of this concentration is the role of museums in research, and their contribution to other disciplines, as well as how museums educate and disseminate information. You may specialize in a particular field of choice. Ultimately, you will learn to expertly communicate topics and issues connected to the world of museums, the arts market, libraries, archives, and non-profits.

MUSEUM STUDIES 1 YEAR STUDY PLAN 2 YEAR STUDY PLAN
    • MUSE 6100 - World of Museums
    • MUSE 6105 - Internship/Practical Museum Experience
    • MUSE 6110 - Technologies and Museum Management

    Electives: Select two of the following for 6 Credit hours

    • MUSE 6115 - Topics in Art History and Museums
    • MUSE 6120 - Art Museums and Curation in Contemporary Contexts
    • MUSE 6125 - Artifact Studies
    • MUSE 6130 - Internship II/Practical Museum
    • ART 6010 Context, Culture & Contemporary Practice
    • ART 6020 Methods, Theory & Criticism
    • ART 6030 Technologies, Innovation Design Thinking
    • ART 7000 Thesis: Systemic Inquiry
    • ART 7100 Thesis: Research & Final
      or
    • ART 7050 Project: Systematic Inquiry
      ART 7150 Project: Research & Final

    Students are expected to complete 15 hours in the required courses above.

  • Name
    Position

    • Associate Professor of Art History

      dmcclin1@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6139
      VA 236

      website

    • Associate Professor of Art History

      jsteph55@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5241
      VA 101B

      website

    • Director of Curatorial Affairs and Professor of Art

      cthom488@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6193
      ZM G07

      website

    • Part-Time Assistant Professor of Art History

      lwingfi1@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6139
      VA 202

      website

Admissions Requirements

  • Online Graduate Application - There is a non-refundable $60 application fee.
  • Transcripts - Official transcripts from EACH College and/or University you have attended. Must be in a sealed envelope from the institution or sent electronically from the institution directly to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu.
  • Grade Point Average (GPA) - Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in any related field including but not limited to: art, design, animation, education, history, art history, classical studies, archeology, or anthropology. Applicants with relevant experience are welcome to apply.
  • Letter of Application (Upload into the online application.) - Should be in the form of a narrative which describes your education, relevant experience, and/or professional background, your future goals, and how admission into the MA in Art and Design program at Kennesaw State University will help you accomplish these goals. The letter should be specific to the program and should be 2 double-spaced pages in length.

         *   Digital Animation:  A statement of creative intent that includes your artistic goals and reasons for applying to the MA. Be specific, vivid, and focused, and a 1-page description of a possible animation project representing the type of work you hope to produce.

  • Art and/or Writing Sample, relevant to concentration (Upload into the online application).
    • Digital Animation: A demo reel of animation or related work (illustration, sequential art, etc.) between thirty and sixty seconds in length. The content of the demo reel can be related to any undergraduate (or graduate-level) academic coursework and/or any professional work.
    • Art Education: 5-10 pieces of art (any medium or modality) and a 1-2 page teaching philosophy.
    • Museum Studies: One 7-10 page writing sample. This may take the form of a class research paper, capstone, or thesis, or publication.
  • Resume /CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (OPTIONAL) concerning your academic and/or professional preparation for the MA in Art and Design program at KSU.
  • Additional concentration-specific materials (OPTIONAL) – (i.e. digital media items, samples of artwork, additional writing samples).
apply now

International Student?

Visit International Student and Scholar Services to learn more. 

School of Art & Design

Kennesaw State University
School of Art & Design
41 Bartow Avenue, MD #2901
Kennesaw, GA 30144 

Graduate Coordinator: Pete Hriso
Email: graduatearts@kennesaw.edu
Phone: 470-578-6138
Office: VA 239

ksu visual arts building