Art and Design

Return to: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Acting Director: Mary Quinlan

Graduate Faculty

Leif Allmendinger, associate professor, M.F.A., Rhode Island School of Design
Michael Barnes, professor, M.F.A., University of Iowa 
Sinclair Bell, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
Douglas G. Boughton, professor, Ph.D., University of Alberta, Canada
Karen Brown, associate professor, M.F.A., California State University, Fullerton
Todd Buck, associate professor, M.S.M.E., University of Illinois, Chicago 
Steven Ciampaglia, assistant professor, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Sarah Evans, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Kerry Freedman, professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Billie Giese, associate professor, M.F.A., University of Kansas
Aleksandra Giza, associate professor, Ph.D., Silesian University (Katowice, Poland)
Rebecca Houze, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Barbara Jaffee, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Katherine Kahn, associate professor, M.F.A., Yale University
Jeff K. Kowalski, Distinguished Research Professor, Ph.D., Yale University
Yih-Wen Kuo, professor, M.F.A., Southern Illinois University
Andrew Liccardo, associate professor, M.F.A., Texas Tech University
Christine LoFaso, professor, M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago 
Li-Fen Lu, assistant professor, Ph.D., Indiana University
Kimberly Martens, associate professor, M.S.M.E., University of Illinois, Chicago
Helen Nagata, associate professor, Ph.D., Stanford University
Ashley Nason, associate professor, M.F.A., University of Tennessee
James Obermeier, associate professor, M.F.A., Indiana University
Mary Quinlan, professor, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Steven Quinn, associate professor, B.Ed., University of Colorado
Catherine Raymond, associate professor, Ph.D., Sorbonne, Paris, France 
Nina Rizzo, associate professor, M.F.A., University of Texas, Austin
Charlotte Rollman, professor, M.F.A., University of Illinois 
Kurt Schultz, associate professor, M.F.A., Northern Illinois University
Lee Sido, assistant director, associate professor, M.F.A., Northern Illinois University
Kryssi Staikidis, associate professor, Ph.D., Columbia University, New York
Frank Trankina, associate professor, M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Ann van Dijk, associate professor, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University 
Shei-Chau Wang, associate professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Harry J. Wirth, professor, B.S., University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

The School of Art and Design offers graduate programs leading to the M.A., M.S., and M.F.A. degrees. Its programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

The M.S. in art with a specialization in art education is designed for those students who wish to prepare for a specialist role in art education in addition to classroom teaching. The M.A. is designed for those students who wish to pursue a specialization in studio art or art history. The M.F.A. is primarily designed for and directed toward students who desire to achieve a current, high-level professional mastery in a discipline related to the fine arts or design. The M.F.A. is a terminal degree in the field of art.

Admission to graduate programs in the School of Art and Design usually requires a baccalaureate degree in a field of art related to the program for which the student is applying. Applicants who do not have a major in art or in their field of study may be assigned deficiencies by faculty in the program area to which the student is admitted based upon review of admissions materials. Deficiencies will be listed in the letter of admission from the Graduate School or in the student’s program of courses.

A faculty adviser in the student’s area of interest is assigned upon acceptance into the Graduate School. The student must establish contact with the adviser immediately. The adviser will assist in forming the three-member (minimum) graduate advisory committee which will guide the student in all subsequent activities required for the completion of the respective degree.

With the consent of the School of Art and Design and the dean of the Graduate School, a maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate transfer credit may be accepted from other accredited colleges or universities toward an M.A. or M.S. in art. A maximum of 15 semester hours of graduate credit from an M.A. program completed at another institution may be accepted toward the M.F.A. degree. A maximum of 15 semester hours of graduate credit earned at NIU as a student-at-large may be accepted toward an M.A., M.S., or M.F.A. degree. However, in meeting the requirements for a graduate degree in art, the credit transferred from other accredited institutions plus that earned at NIU as a student-at-large may not exceed 15 semester hours.

A graduate student admitted to any M.A. or M.F.A. program in the School of Art and Design may take up to 6 elective credits outside the school, subject to prior approval of the student’s graduate advisory committee. Courses in this category must be entered on the official program of courses; subject to prior approval of the student’s graduate advisory committee or for those enrolled in an M.S. in art, up to 9 semester hours outside the school.

The School of Art and Design may retain reproductions of any work produced in classes or presented for the one-person exhibition or presentation.

Comprehensive examinations are typically scheduled to occur during the student’s last academic year. The nature of the comprehensive examination is determined by the student’s graduate advisory committee.

Other information concerning the various programs can be obtained upon request from the graduate coordinator in the School of Art and Design.

Special Requirements for Studio Degrees

The GRE is not required for admission to the M.F.A. or the M.A. specialization in studio art. The School of Art and Design requires a portfolio from all applicants for admission to the Graduate School who wish to pursue a studio degree in art (M.A. or M.F.A.). A prospective student must submit a CD containing 15-20 images of his or her work as it relates to the intended course of graduate study. Time based media may be submitted as a DVD-Video (NTSC), CD-ROM, audio DC, URL.  An identification sheet with the name of applicant, title of work, date of execution, medium, running time (if applicable), and size must be included. The images on the CD should be at least 1100 pixels at the longest dimension with a resolution of 72 ppi. All images need to be in jpg format. No power point presentations.

Applicants may substitute film and/or electronic media in lieu of slides where applicable to the field of study. The materials must be submitted in reusable containers acceptable for the U.S. postal service mailing requirements, return postage included. All materials must be clearly identified with the name of the applicant, title of work, date of execution, medium, and return address. Although all possible care is taken, the School of Art and Design cannot assume responsibility in case of loss or damage.

February 1 is the primary date for receiving all application materials for summer, fall, or spring admission to any graduate studio degree program including portfolio, a listing of works in the portfolio, and all materials required by the Graduate School. Applicants meeting the February deadline are eligible for consideration for both graduate admissions and graduate assistantships. April 1 is the final application date for those not applying for assistantships.

CDs and/or other appropriate visual documentation to be considered for admission purposes should be sent to the graduate coordinator in the School of Art and Design; other application materials are to be submitted to the Graduate School.

Foreign Study Programs

The School of Art and Design sponsors a foreign study program designed to investigate, experience and analyze the art and culture of other parts of the world. This program was initiated in 1960 and has featured study tours to all the countries of Western Europe, to Russia, China, and Japan, as well as to many of the Middle and Near Eastern countries. Residence programs have been sponsored in Italy, France, Austria, and Mexico.

A varied foreign study program is planned for the future. Interested students should contact the director of the School of Art and Design for current information.

Course Information

All art courses designated with the phrase “may be repeated” are repeatable to a maximum number of semester hours to be determined be the student’s major adviser. Credit-hour limitations for other art courses are cited in their descriptions. Course enrollment of more than 6 credit hours per semester in one course requires consent of the School of Art and Design.

Return to: College of Visual and Performing Arts