Overview

The two-year Visual and Critical Studies graduate program at California College of the Arts trains artists, critics, and scholars to write professionally about today’s intricate visual landscape.

The rigorous curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study, historical grounding, social and political analysis, and the craft of critical writing. You’ll learn to investigate a broad range of media and present criticism in straightforward language, so art theory can be accessible to everyone.

Careers

Visual and Critical Studies graduates excel in a wide range of professions in visual and cultural fields. They are arts and culture journalists, critics, editors, curators, community activists, and educators, and they hold various positions in higher education and at foundations, museums, galleries, and alternative art spaces.

Many continue their studies at the PhD level in anthropology, art history, comparative literature, cultural studies, performance studies, and visual studies.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Methodologies

Strategies for Visual and Critical Studies

VCS Topics

Identity, Difference, and Power

Voices

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

More details

CCA practices rolling admissions, which means applications can be submitted for review after the priority deadlines.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

36 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Oakland, United States

Disciplines

Visual Arts Art History View 434 other Masters in Visual Arts in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application and $70 nonrefundable application fee

Resume/curriculum vitae

Two recommendation letters

Unofficial college transcripts

Proof of English proficiency (international applicants only)

Portfolio

Personal essay

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

44898 USD / year

≈ 44898 USD / year
Out-of-State

44898 USD / year

≈ 44898 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

44898 USD / year

≈ 44898 USD / year

Living costs

Oakland

United States

1055 - 1962 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Visual and Critical Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Careers

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Oakland

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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