Curriculum

Recommended sequence
First-year course work
Fall semester

OR
HER Q510 Studio Emphasis I: Materials and Methods in Furniture Design 6 credits	Introductory graduate course in the materials, methodologies, and general concepts used in the designing and making of furniture and related objects. Prerequisite: MFA student or consent of instructor.
HER R529 Interdisciplinary Collaboration in the Visual Arts 3 credits	A studio-based course designed to foster the cross-fertilization of ideas across media emphasis areas. Prerequisite: MFA student or consent of instructor.
HER H560 Visual Culture: A Visual Studies Approach 3 credits	An introduction to visual studies, an interdisciplinary approach to the study of visual culture that emphasizes the social ramifications of the visual. Prerequisite: graduate student or consent of instructor.
HER J530 University Visual Art Teaching Practicum 3 credits	Introduction to techniques, topics, and goals of teaching studio art courses at the undergraduate level.

Free Elective 3 credits	Prerequisite: graduate student with a BFA in studio art.

First-year fall semester credits: 15

Spring semester

HER Q520 Studio Emphasis II: Theory into Practice in Furniture Design 6 credits	Study of designing and making studio furniture within the context of professional practice. Prerequisite: Studio Emphasis I: Furniture Design.
HER R539 Urban Art Context 3 credits	Introduction to the challenges, concepts, and techniques for public art and art projects designed for civic engagement. Prerequisite: HER R529 or consent of instructor. (may be repeated)
HER J520 Project Management/Public Art 3 credits	Examination of trends in public art in the 20th and 21st centuries. Course explores challenges, opportunities, and procedures for artists working in the public sphere. Prerequisite: graduate student or consent of instructor.
HER H 5xx Art History 3 credits

First-year spring semester credits: 15

Second-year course work
Fall semester

OR
HER Q560 Studio Emphasis III: Advanced Practices in Furniture Design 6 credits	Study of advanced concepts and practices in designing and making furniture and related objects. Prerequisite: Studio Emphasis II: Furniture Design.
HER R539 Urban Art Context if repeated 0-3 credits	Introduction to the challenges, concepts, and techniques for public art and art projects designed for civic engagement. Prerequisite: HER R529 or consent of instructor.
Graduate Studio Elective 3-6 credits
HER H610 Art Theory and Criticism 3 credits	This course examines a cross-section of theories that underpin current discussions and developments in the visual arts. This course also examines the nature and goals of art criticism, including how different theories help frame the primary concerns and controversies within art criticism.

HER J510 A Critical Approach to Art: Seminar 3 credits	Art and philosophy; an examination of the interrelationship between artistic and philosophical thoughts; students will refine their analytic and perceptive skills by exercises in critical writing, readings in art criticism, and discussions.
Academic Elective 0-3 credits

Second-year fall semester credits: 15

Spring semester

HER R599 Studio Emphasis IV: Thesis Exhibit/Project 6 credits	and in final semester toward MFA Completion and public presentation of a final body of work, showing professional competence, documented by a written thesis statement. Prerequisite: Studio Emphasis III
Graduate Studio Elective 6-9 credits
Art History or Academic Elective 0-3 credits

Second-year spring semester credits: 15

Total credits: 60