College of Visual and Performing Arts

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is a dynamic arts college offering a Master of Art Education (MAE) degree, a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree, two post-baccalaureate certificate programs, and a graduate certificate in Web and Interaction Design.

Master of Art Education

The MAE degree offers traditional and innovative opportunities for the professional art teacher in curriculum design, educational issues, and reflective practices. The MAE program is supervised by the Director of the MAE Program and has its own application process, program structure, and degree requirements toward the Post Baccalaureate Initial Licensure, Professional Licensure and graduation. The Post Baccalaureate Initial Licensure and Professional Licensure course work provides multiple experiences in visual arts education by integrating individual studio practice, scholarly research, and ongoing participation in the K-12 classroom environment.

Master of Fine Arts

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers three Master of Fine Arts degree programs: Artisanry, Fine Arts, and Visual Design. These programs are separate, but share similar admission policies, program structures, and degree requirements. The MFA Graduate Program Director and the Graduate Committee oversee all MFA and degree programs and graduate student progress toward the degree. The Master of Fine Arts is generally regarded as the highest degree offered in the visual arts, and qualifies the graduate for professional work in the disciplines available through our curriculum. Careers as studio artists devoted to the expression of personal concepts, as teachers at the university level, or as a commercial artists and designers whose work is market-based and client-driven, are all possible outcomes of graduate study in the visual arts. There are also numerous allied career paths, such as curatorial practice, arts administration, art direction, and publishing, which benefit from the level of accomplishment which the Master of Fine Arts degree affords. The College of Visual and Performing Arts supports the philosophy that significant achievement in the visual arts is the product of inspired conception, critical dialogue, individualized attention to students, and maturing skill. Our state of the art facilities offer the arena for challenging explorations and the level of creative innovation which is expected of committed graduate students.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Artisanry

There is a well established program in Artisanry for students interested in pursuing a post baccalaureate “fifth year” of study at UMass Dartmouth. It is designed for those who would benefit from a critical studio environment in a community of undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students, access to our facilities, visiting artist program, and our technical and studio based curriculum. PBC students build an extensive portfolio over the year, many going on to apply to MFA degree programs, including those at UMass Dartmouth. Four areas of specialization in Artisanry include: Ceramics, Jewelry/Metals, Fibers, Wood/Furniture Design. Click here for more information.

Post-Baccalaureate Certficate in Fine Arts

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program (PBC) in Fine Arts is designed for artists who have earned the BFA or BA degree, yet would benefit from a concentrated immersion in a highly-supportive yet critical academic/studio environment. Applicants to the PBC may wish to develop their artwork for application to graduate school/professional residency or to launch a professional career. The program has four distinctive areas of concentration: Painting, Printmaking, Drawing, and Sculpture. Click here for more information.

Graduate Certificate in Web and Interaction Design

The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Web and Interaction Design prepares art and design professionals and educators for a career change or specialty change within their field. The program emphasizes usability (how people read, navigate, and interact with web-based information), accessibility (web standards, (X)HTML, CSS) and findability. Other topics covered include: web typography, visual design, the web as a social medium, content development and presentation. The program enhances candidate’s current knowledge of art and design and challenges them to develop problem solving skills, technical proficiencies, personal aesthetics, and a dedication to designing usable, accessible, findable web sites.

Candidates earn 12 credits over two semesters, attending classes eight Saturdays each semester. The courses blend face-to-face and online instruction, providing candidates a low-residency program without sacrificing personal attention. The program is limited to 16 candidates per year. Click here for more information.