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As far as a Master's degree in art do I have to choose a certain field of art to study?

I would love to be a ceramics professor but I would also like to just be able to study all of the fine arts.
#fine-art #college #art

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Ken’s Answer

Beginning with your bachelor's degree, it is very helpful to begin with a career focus in mind singling out a specific area of art to concentrate on to begin your studies. You may not need a master's depending upon your career trajectory to be successful in your area of interest. Getting to know yourself better to focus on an individual area is very helpful as it allows you to select an area which matches your personality traits, so that you can then talk to people who are doing what you think that you might want to do to see what they do, how they got there, and what advice and suggestions that they might have for you.


Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. You can locate them by asking your school academic advisor, favorite teachers, and the reference librarian at your local library. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Juan’s Answer

You can study any types of disciplines which allows individuals to study in a incredibly large number of topic areas. This can include dance , theatre and classical music . Also film studies , design ,ceramics ,museology and architecture. Any of these could lead to an masters degree.

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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Audriana,

Master’s Degree in Art Specialization:

Embarking on a Master's degree in art doesn't necessarily mean you have to immediately decide on a specific art field to study. A lot of Master's art programs offer you the freedom to explore and experiment before you need to pinpoint your focus. However, as you delve deeper into the program, you might need to select a specialization or concentration within the art field. The type of specialization could vary based on the institution and the requirements of the program.

Path to Becoming a Ceramics Professor:

If you're aiming to become a ceramics professor, it would be advantageous to concentrate on ceramics as your main area of study during your Master's degree. A specialization in ceramics will equip you with the essential skills, understanding, and proficiency to venture into a career teaching ceramics at a university level. Furthermore, acquiring experience and developing a robust portfolio in ceramics will boost your standing as a potential ceramics professor.

Exploring the Entire Spectrum of Fine Arts:

While a focus on ceramics can pave the way to becoming a ceramics professor, it's also feasible to study a variety of fine arts aspects during your Master's degree. Numerous art programs adopt interdisciplinary methods that let students delve into different mediums and techniques within the fine arts sphere. By enrolling in courses in diverse art forms like painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography, you can expand your artistic abilities and comprehension.

In conclusion, although you might not need to pick a specific art field at the onset of your Master's degree program, a focus on ceramics can better equip you for a career as a ceramics professor. However, you can also investigate and study other fine arts disciplines to enrich your overall artistic education.

Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:

The College Board: The College Board offers valuable insights on college majors and programs, including guidance for pursuing a Master's degree in art and selecting specializations within the field.

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD): NASAD establishes standards for art and design education programs, providing insights into the requirements and expectations for students seeking advanced degrees in art.

U.S. News & World Report - Best Fine Arts Programs: U.S. News & World Report ranks the best fine arts programs nationwide, offering information on various specializations available in Master's degree programs in art.

These sources were referenced to ensure the information regarding Master's degrees in art and specializations within the field is precise and current.

May God bless you!
James Constantine.
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