Art and Design

Director: Jessica Labatte

Graduate Faculty

Michael Barnes, Presidential Research Professor, M.F.A., University of Iowa
Sinclair Bell, Presidential Teaching Professor, Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
Douglas G. Boughton, professor, Ph.D., University of Alberta, Canada
Todd Buck, professor, M.A.M.S., University of Illinois, Chicago
Sarah Evans, associate 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, professor, Ph.D., Silesian University (Katowice, Poland)
Kelly Gross, assistant professor, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Cynthia Hellyer-Heinz, associate professor, M.F.A., Northern Illinois University
Rebecca Houze, professor, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Joseph Insley, associate professor, M.F.A., M.S., University of Illinois, Chicago
Jessica Labatte, associate professor, M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Kimberly Martens, professor, M.A.M.S., University of Illinois, Chicago
Helen Nagata, associate professor, Ph.D., Stanford University
James Obermeier, associate professor, M.F.A., Indiana University
Mary Quinlan, professor, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Catherine Raymond, Presidential Engagement Professor, Ph.D., Sorbonne, Paris, France
Michael Rea, associate professor, M.F.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison
Nina Rizzo, associate professor, M.F.A., University of Texas, Austin
John Siblik, associate professor, M.F.A., Southern Illinois University
Kryssi Staikidis, professor, Ed.D., Columbia University, New York
Perrin Stamatis, professor, M.F.A., University of Illinois, Chicago
Frank Trankina, professor, M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Ann van Dijk, associate professor, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Amanda VanValkenburg, assistant professor, M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Shei-Chau Wang, associate professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Jullian Young, assistant professor, M.F.A., University of Denver

The School of Art and Design offers graduate programs leading to the M.A., M.S., M.F.A., and Ph.D. 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, preliminary study for the doctoral degree in art history (for those intending to become professional scholars and researchers in art history including teaching at the 4-year college or university level) or preparation for teaching art history at the two-year college level. 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 visual arts or design. The M.F.A. is a terminal degree in the field of art. The Ph.D. is a terminal degree in the field of art and design education.

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 advisor in the student’s area of interest is assigned upon acceptance into the Graduate School. The student must establish contact with the advisor immediately. The advisor 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., M.S., or Ph.D. degrees in the School of Art and Design. 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., M.F.A., or Ph.D. 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 Masters 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 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.). See specific degree programs for additional details.

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 by the student’s major advisor. 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.