Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to Graduate Studies
Are any graduate assistantships or teaching assistantships available for registered graduate students?
Depending upon funding the art department may or may not have GA and/or GTA positions available. We cannot guarantee GA or GTA positions to students.
Can I meet with someone to discuss admission to the program?
We recommend contacting a full-time faculty member in the area you intend on applying to (painting, photography, sculpture, contemporary art history, etc.) to make an appointment to meet. Faculty are available during the fall and spring semesters only. Faculty contact information and current office hours are available under the people section to the left.
Can I transfer units into the MA or MFA program?
Transferring units into the Master of Arts in Art History Program:
No more than six units of work taken in unclassified post-baccalaureate status at SF State may be transferred towards credit for the Master of Arts in Art History degree. All transfer of credit is done on a course-by-course basis by a Graduate Adviser and through Office of Graduate Studies authorization. This transfer should be arranged before the first semester of graduate studies begins.
Transferring units into the Master of Fine Arts in Art Program:
All transfer of credit must be approved on a course-by-course basis by a Graduate Advisor, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Studies. This transfer should be arranged before the first semester of graduate studies begins.
A maximum of 12 units total may be transferred towards credit for the Master of Fine Arts in Art degree.
- A student previously enrolled in any accredited MFA program may transfer up to 12 units from that program.
- A student who has taken graduate courses in an unclassified post-baccalaureate status may transfer no more than six units in studio, and six units of other, creditable, coursework, for a total of 12 units.
- A student who has accrued credits both as an enrolled candidate in an accredited MFA program and taken courses in an unclassified post-baccalaureate status may transfer no more than 12 units total.
Can I use Graduate School Foreign Language Test (GSFLT) scores to fulfill the MA in Art History foreign language requirement?
No. The Art Dept. does not accept the GSFLT to measure foreign language competence. The department administers its own reading test.
Can you reside as a part-time student in the Master of Fine Arts in Art program?
We do not allow students to enter the program on a part time basis. The first semester in the Master of Fine Arts in Art program, you take 12 units; the remaining 5 semesters, a full-time graduate student load is 9 units.. Most of our graduate courses begin in the late afternoon or early evening, but the upper division studio and academic electives are held from 9 am till 9 pm, and vary by semester and course. One of the most important aspects of graduate school is the sense of community with other graduate students in your program. A part time student does not have a consistent peer group, and a full time job would be a serious impediment to getting everything you can out of the program.
Clone of If I applied during a previous application cycle, do I need to re-submit my letters of recommendation and statement?
Yes, you should take this opportunity to review, revise and re-submit all required documents. We will not pull old copies for the current cycle.
Do you give tours of the department?
Due to our staffing shortage we are unable to provide tours. We recommend that you contact a faculty member in the area you intend to apply to see about a tour of facilities and studios.
Do you have a specific format for letters of recommendation?
You should have your recommender write the letter on her/his letterhead (if available) and sign the envelope across the seal. There's no specific format for the content of the letter, but your recommender should give specific examples of your strengths and why you would be an appropriate candidate for admission to SFSU.
Do you offer non-resident tuition waivers?
Information about other forms of non-resident tuition waivers is at this URL:
http://www.sfsu.edu/future/apply/AB540.html
Also, see the FAQ about scholarships.
Do you offer scholarships?
Please visit the Art Department scholarships page for more info.
How do I add a class after the add deadline (late add)?
Late adds are only accepted by the art department for serious and compelling reasons. The student should fill out the University Waiver of College Regulations Form. The student is responsible for filling out the form correctly and obtaining the instructor's signature, the chair's signature and the dean's signature.
How do I get a locker?
Any lockers that are not in a studio space can be rented for a small fee at the SF State Box Office in the Creative Arts building. These lockers include the lockers by the back of the sculpture studio, the lockers between Art Education and Painting and most lockers in the Creative Arts building. Box office hours during the fall and spring semesters are 12pm–4pm Wednesday through Friday. Extended hours are usually held during the first week of the fall and spring semesters.
How do I pay my lab fees?
To pay your lab fees go to the bursars office after the final add deadline, present your student ID and any lab fees you owe will show up in the system.
Lab fee payments will not be accepted by the bursars office until after the final add deadline or unless there is a fee charged to the account.
How much is the application fee and how do I pay it?
There is currently no application fee associated with submitting the Art Department application; however, when you submit the on-line application to CSU through http://www.csumentor.edu/, you will be required to pay a $55 application fee to CSU.
If I applied during a previous application cycle, do I need to re-submit my letters of recommendation and statement?
Yes, you should take this opportunity to review, revise and re-submit all required documents. We will not pull old copies for the current cycle.
What are the art history focus areas?
- Arts of Asia
- Renaissance/Baroque Art
- Arts of Spain
- Modern and Contemporary Art
- Asian American Art
- New Media Art
- History of Prints
- Queer Art History
What do I do If I am on academic probation?
Students that are on academic probation, have a GPA below 2.0, will receive a notice by email from the university about the deadline to submit their probation petition. Follow these steps, in order, to clear an academic standing probation hold:
- Make an appointment to meet with your faculty adviser . Take the academic standing petition form, a copy of unofficial transcripts and a copy of DARS report to appointment with faculty adviser.
- Meet with the department chair by making an appointment through the department office, artdept@sfsu.edu, and bring all of the same paperwork to the appointment with the department chair.
- Meet with the associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, by making an appointment through Melinda Zarrett in CA 251, and bring all of the same paperwork to the appointment with the associate dean.
What sort of studio space do you offer graduate students?
Applicants should consult with faculty in their potential area of interest to determine on-campus studio space availability.
Additionally, the Romberg Tiburon Center, located in Tiburon, is an off campus research and teaching facility of SFSU, overlooking San Francisco Bay. Graduate MFA studio spaces occupy the second floor of Building 49, a large two story warehouse with high ceilings, lots of windows and light and wooden floors. Building 49 contains a total of 18 studios, offering MFA students a unique opportunity to explore, expand, and develop their practice within various studio environments.
What standardized tests are required for admission?
Master of Fine ARts in Art: TOEFL if the applicant is a non-native speaker who hasn't received a bachelor's degree in the US. (No GRE for MFA applicants.)
Master of Arts in Art History: GRE, or GRE + TOEFL if the applicant is a non-native speaker who hasn't received a bachelor's degree in the US.
Where can I find information about the TOEFL?
Information is at this URL: http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/english-reqs.htm
