College of Fine Arts introduces new graduate program

By: Paige Sudol, Staff Writer

 

The College of Fine Arts and Communication has announced that it will offer a new master’s degree program in interdisciplinary arts infusion, or MAIAI, starting fall 2015. Program Director Kate Collins said that the creation of this program has been a two-year-long process involving several talented professionals.
“[The new program] builds upon and responds to the success that Towson has been enjoying since 1999 when it began a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in arts integration. More and more across the state of Maryland and the nation, education leaders invested in transformation in schools are looking to the arts and arts integration,” Collins said.

According to Collins, the purpose of the program is to prepare teachers and artists to make art education in the nation’s schools more collaborative and engaging. The program includes flexible options to accommodate working students. It offers night classes, electives in three specialized areas, and different requirements for students with varying levels of preparation.
“For students who have already received the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate [since 1999], they only need 18 more credits to complete the degree. For those starting new, the degree program is a total of 36 credits where students will complete six required courses including two capstone courses and then they may select from a range of elective courses to complete the degree,” Collins said.
Collins herself will teach Drama in the Classroom and Interdisciplinary Research classes. She said that the faculty for the program will come from different disciplines in the College of Fine Arts and Communication to give students a far-reaching arts education. Collins said that the program stands out because of this.
“There are only a small number of graduate programs focused on arts integration in the country, but they are more commonly situated in colleges of education. By being situated in the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Towson, the MAIAI program is uniquely positioned to offer its students a very strong breadth and depth of knowledge from the various arts disciplines,” Collins said.
Junior Samantha Nachlas, an art education major, recognizes the quality of her education at Towson as well. She is planning to apply to art therapy programs at Florida State University and George Washington University. According to Nachlas, Towson’s art department has greatly prepared her for the next step in her career.
“I have had amazing professors who have turned into mentors,” Nachlas said. “I feel as though leaving Towson I’ll be ready to take on the world as an art educator thanks to my education.”
Students interested in applying to the Master of Arts in interdisciplinary arts infusion program must have a 3.00 GPA, 2.75 for conditional admission, and submit a resume and essay. People with teaching experience are especially encouraged to apply.

 

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