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Masters in Art is a popular subject of choice. It has a diverse range; It interlinks with many other subjects, including history, theology, music, etc. A degree in Arts can give you the flexibility to study several subjects. Education in arts is considered a way to become a free thinker and life-long learner.
Master in Arts graduates can become curators, archeologists, interior designers, financial planners, and writers. Many animation artists, political leaders, marketing directors, Academy Award winners, lawyers, poets, and stage managers are art graduates or have some art training.
Masters in Arts
MA stands for ‘Magister Artium,’ which is Latin for ‘Master of Arts.’ Masters in Arts degrees are a popular choice. They are part of most modern higher education systems and are awarded by universities around the world.
The MA is a taught postgraduate degree. It is offered in most areas of social sciences, Arts, and Humanities. Sometimes Business and Law fall within the academic realm of Master of Arts as well.
A ‘Master in Arts’ is a level 7 qualification in the United Kingdom. It’s equivalent to MBA, MSc, MRes, and other postgraduate Masters degrees.
In Canada and the US, the MA is also a postgraduate (or ‘graduate’) level degree. Graduates study it as part of a more extended graduate program that eventually awards a Ph.D. or a standalone qualification.
Master in Arts candidates are often required to conduct research before completing their degree and present a thesis paper or dissertation. MA is considered a significant milestone in one’s career, demonstrating considerable additional expertise and training over and above an undergraduate degree.
Entry Requirements for Master in Arts
Like all degree programs, the entry requirements for admission vary between institutions and countries. Students need to contact the respective program office for specific details.
Students will generally require a bachelor’s degree to apply for a Master’s program. It doesn’t mean that you must have a bachelor’s in Arts to study for an Master in Arts. For most programs, any undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject will be acceptable. Some students choose MA even after earning a Bachelors’s degree in Science.
Some art schools might require applicants to have studied art courses at an earlier stage of education. Similarly, some fine arts programs will prefer to check a portfolio of your work.
But in all cases, applicants will need to demonstrate a keen interest and passion for the subject and explain why they have chosen the specific course.
Course structure and content
Art is a very diverse field. It encompasses numerous disciplines; hence the structure and course content will depend on the type of art degree you are studying. For example, fine arts degrees are likely to be more practical and probably taught in studios or workshops. In contrast, a history of an art degree is much more theory-based.
Specialization courses for master in Arts;
Options for Graduate Programs include Advertising, Animation, Architecture (M.Arch), Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Computer Arts: New Media, Fashion, Fine Art, Interior Architecture and Design, Motion Pictures and Television Photography, and many more.
MA – Fine Arts: It is a creative degree granted in disciplines such as the visual, performing, and studio arts. MA Fine arts may include creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, theatre, and painting. Assessment and study are both practical, culminating in a significant work or performance.
MA – Political Science: Master in Arts with Political Science major gives people the skills to understand and explore the constitution, legislation/lawmaking, and to navigate the complicated world of modern governing effectively. Advanced coursework would allow students to gain skills and knowledge to work in jobs ranging from being a political consultant, lawyer, lobbyist, diplomat or foreign service officer, and even an elected official.
MA Mass Communication and Media Studies: It is for individuals interested in media and public opinion research. The specialization encompasses strategic communication, media research, communication policies, communication, diplomacy, writing for print media or shooting and editing television news, etc.
This specialization is ideal for students interested in various media work fields and news gathering, writing, and editing both in print and broadcasting.
MA – Cultural Studies: Cultural studies is a relatively broad term. A masters in Arts cultural studies program can have different sub-specializations. The course content would include reviews of seminal thinkers, essential forms of art, specific historical periods, or the culture of certain economic theories.
MA – Linguistics / Language Studies – Language studies can take on different forms at different schools. For example, some universities may allow scholars to study a specific language, while others may give students a broader understanding of linguistics. These programs usually provide participants with practical language training along with conceptual knowledge of theories and histories.
The core topics covered could include language studies research, culture studies, literature and society, the language in society, second language teaching methodology, and other linguistics-related courses.
MA – Humanities: This kind of degree educate students about various aspects of society and culture. Humanities’ discipline includes subfields such as philosophy, literature, language, religion, art, and history.
Those who earn these degrees study rhetoric and logic and learn how to analyze and construct arguments. They may engage with a diverse variety of ideologies, ideas, and philosophies during their education.
Online Programs
Many online Master in Arts programs allows students to continue working as they study for their degree, as aspiring students can enroll in a flexible online degree program. Many programs offer the chance to study both on a college campus and online. Some are entirely internet-based. Opportunities also exist to enroll in international programs.
Time and Tuition Costs
Most masters degree requires 1 – 2 years to complete. The cost of a master’s degree will depend on numerous factors. For example, tuition can vary from year to year, and financial aid availability often changes.
Other factors that might be relevant include materials costs and the country of the institution.
The tuition costs vary significantly across countries and institutions. You can expect to pay between $30,000 and $80,000 per year for a Master’s program in the US. The cost range for an equivalent degree is 15,000 GBP – 35,000 GBP per year in the UK.
Salary and Career Prospects
Art graduates work for jobs and training in a wide variety of industries, such as media, marketing, public relations, design, photography, fashion, journalism, music, theatre, fine art and illustration, education, and human resources.
Since art graduates work in multiple roles and fields, it isn’t easy to estimate the salary range. According to paysale.com, the average median salary for a master’s degree holder is $63,117. It varies with factors like role, location, years of experience, type of industry, etc.
Earnings for art directors range from $42,840 to $163,430 annually. Art professors generally earn salaries of $45,370 to $88,290 yearly. Graphic Designers have annual wages of $33,410 to $59,410 annually.
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