Program Mission: The Master of Arts in Art, Community Arts Option is an online program designed to strengthen the development of non-certified and non-certification seeking professionals who work or desire to work with the arts in educational settings outside of the public school system. This option does not lead to certification.

Accreditation: The Art Department of Eastern Illinois University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. 

Admission requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy for the degree program and option, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Degree and Certificate Programs”). In addition to the published university graduate degree status requirements the Art Education department requires the following: 

Candidates seeking the Master of Arts in Art, Community Arts Option must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s performance as a professional. In addition, applicants without bachelor degree in Art should have 18 semester hours of undergraduate work in art or be willing to make up deficiencies without credit toward their graduate degree. Candidates should also submit a resume, a letter of intent stating their goals for seeking this degree, a copy of a current transcript of their undergraduate degree, and a professional or scholarly writing sample. For international students, an acceptable English proficiency as established by the university.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.