Graduate Degrees, page 2
School of Fine Arts

Master of Public Art Studies

The Master of Public Art Studies program is a two-year program administered by the School of Fine Arts and designed to meet the special training needs of individuals whose career goals are oriented toward professional work in public art. The long range objectives of the program are to provide students and professionals with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to become successful administrators and problem solvers. The program is founded on the principle of using the facilities of the university both as a practical laboratory and as a catalyst for furthering dialogue, collaboration and research. The goal of the program is to build bridges between disciplines, the university and the community.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Public Art Studies program is granted through the USC Office of Graduate Admission, which receives and processes all applications, evaluates credentials and issues notification letters. The School of Fine Arts establishes and monitors the standards under which students are admitted. Admission to the university under the standard of the School of Fine Arts is determined by the Office of Graduate Admission on the recommendation of the Public Arts Studies program. The following are the basic requirements: (1) a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university comparable in standards to that awarded at USC; and (2) applicants must have 3.0 overall GPA. Credentials for admission must include a complete record of all previous colleges or universities attended.

Thesis Requirements

A master's thesis committee comprises a minimum of two members of the tenure-track faculty from the student's home department and a professional from his or her area of emphasis (administration, history, practice). The director of the Public Art Studies program will serve on all committees. The thesis committee shall be established after the student successfully completes all course work. The committee, after a comprehensive review of the candidate's past work and professional goals, will determine if the student is to be recommended for advancement.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 40 units, usually taken during a two-year period, is required, to be distributed as follows:
First Year, FallUnits
PAS 561Administration Survey3
PAS 571History Survey3
MPW 950Professional Writing Program3
____
9

First Year, SpringUnits
PAS 562Administration and Program Development3
PAS 572History3
PAS 581Forum3
Elective3-4
____
12-13

Second Year, FallUnits
PAS 582Seminar: Contemporary Issues3
FA 400 or 500 level studio, or3
PAS 575Practice of Public Art2-6
Elective3-4
____
8-13

Second Year, SpringUnits
PAS 591Field Internship Experience, Option I2-6
PAS 593Final Project2-6

Elective Requirement

Candidates for the Master of Public Art Studies must complete a minimum of eight units of graduate level electives, chosen from any relevant area in the university, with departmental approval.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
David Henriquez
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu