Concentrations/Majors
Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers 21 majors: Animation, Architectural Design, Ceramics, Community Education, Fashion Design, Fibers, Film/Video, Glass, Graphic Design, History of Art, Illustration, Industrial Design, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Museum Education, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Studio Education, Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM), and Teacher Education.
Dual Major
Students who choose a dual major complete the requirements of both majors. Typically, this requires an extra year of study.
Whether it is feasible to combine majors depends on the particular majors chosen. Students may need to speak with the chairs of both departments to understand if and how the requirements of both majors will fit together.
Open Majors
An open major is available to the exceptional student with a clear sense of direction. The student must complete three semesters of an existing major and then write a detailed proposal, including a curriculum outline. The advisor, the chair of the student's current major, and the Director of Advising must approve the proposal.
Minors
Eighteen credits of course work that follows a prescribed sequence constitutes a minor. The Fine Arts 3D department is the only department currently offering minors, which are offered in all five of their areas: ceramics, fibers, glass, jewelry and metalsmithing, and sculpture.
Change of Major
The college permits one change of major during a student's academic career. Students accepted as advanced transfers (sophomore or junior) must complete one semester in the major to which they were accepted before they can change majors. Students who want to change majors must complete a change of major form (available in the Registrar's Office) and obtain the signature of their current faculty advisor, the department chair of the new major, and the Director of Advising. The student must file the form before pre-registration for the semester in which the change will take effect. A change of major may require additional semesters of work to complete; students are encouraged to visit the Advising Office to discuss how a change of major affects progress toward their degree.
Independent Study
Information related to course assistantships and independent or directed studies can be found at Independent Studies and Assistantships.