Terminal MA

[tendaysleft]

I'm in the process of getting ready to apply to terminal MA programs for fall 2012, and I'm getting kind of stuck in where to apply. My field of study is modern and contemporary with a focus on critical theory and gender studies and a poststructuralist methodology, and I'd like to go to a school that would potentially open the doors to doing doctoral work (which, from what I've been reading on this forum, would discount most curatorially-focused programs).

I want to do a terminal MA first because I'm undecided on whether I would want to do doctoral work--I figured that if I did ultimately decide to pursue a PhD, a terminal MA would narrow down my field of study even further, which would be a help because at this point it's still pretty scattered. Would I be right to assume that course-based MAs are less desirable to PhD programs than MAs that have a thesis or qualifying paper?

So far, I'm thinking of applying to the following schools: McGill (Amelia Jones would be a great fit for me), NYU, Williams and SAIC are all definitely places I'm applying to. I'm also thinking about UMass Amherst, Tufts, and UBC. I might apply to Queen's University as a backup, but I'm really unsure of the reputation of their program outside of Canada.

By the way, here are my stats, for context's sake-- I just graduated from a big (really, really big) Canadian research university. I have a 3.65 GPA over 4 years, higher in my major (haven't yet calculated it). I know that's a little low, but it's mainly due to slacking off in my first year (oops)--my last two years have been quite strong. I've won a couple academic awards, I have three strong references (one from a well-known Modernist), and I have a resume full of internships, student leadership positions and volunteer experiences in the visual arts. 690V and 5 in writing on the GRE.

I guess my questions are, are there any schools all you wise Grad Cafe-ers think I've missed that might fit, especially in the Northeastern States/Canada? Any thoughts on the programs I've chosen? (Anyone actually in/completed the programs I've listed who would be willing to PM me about their experiences??) Advice? Admonishment? Guidance?

Any and all comments are very much appreciated!

oh one more important thing - exactly how important is it, for a terminal MA program, to get in touch with potential thesis advisers during the application process? Obviously essential for PhD applications, but terminal MAs? What were your experiences?

Thanks, all!

[tendaysleft]

Sorry for my lack of clarity -- I'll try to clear that up.

1. By discounting curatorially-focused programs, i meant programs like Columbia's MODA or Bard's program which seem more workforce-ready and less academic. From reading through this forum it seems like PhD programs might not recognize a professionally-oriented program like MODA as being adequate preparation for a PhD. As someone who focuses on modern and contemporary, the faculty at Columbia are pretty dreamy, but the only option for a modernist who wants to do a terminal MA there is the MODA program. Would it be odd to apply to MODA, for example, in the hopes of potentially pursuing a PhD later? Would PhD adcomms be less likely to accept someone from an MA program that was more professionally-based?

2. I can see why this was confusing--I guess in looking through MA programs I noticed that there were some that had no qualifying paper (to be honest I forget which these were--U Mass, maybe?) and that instead were course-based all the way through. If I wanted to keep PhD options open, would it be better to make sure to attend an MA program that required a QP or thesis so that I could get more in-depth research experience? (Actually this seems kind of like a no-brainer now... if I'm not sure if I want to pursue a doctorate, I should probably do some serious research and figure out if I like it!)

Also, is the only difference between a QP and a thesis the length of the paper?

That's interesting about it being detrimental to contact professors there in advance--did this graduate mention why? I would be curious to know.

Sorry if I'm coming across a bit newb-ish--I appreciate the help!

[losemygrip]

McGill would be great, but have you actually met Amelia Jones? Good luck with that.

You may not have a lot of options with terminal MAs. When you say NYU, I assume you mean Washington Square and not the IFA? I wasn't aware they gave separate MAs at the Washington Square campus. The MA at the IFA is famous (infamous?), but it's not technically a terminal MA (unless you or they want it to be).

Williams is the most famous MA program around, but to my understanding is pretty traditional. At least, that's its reputation.

Given your regional requirements, Tufts is a good option. What about UConn? Do they have one?

Qualifying paper and thesis are really just different names for the same thing. When they call it a thesis the length can tend to run on longer than it should. All the MA programs you mention are course-based AND have a thesis or qualifying paper. I kind of shared your concerns: I was an excellent student who really didn't enjoy writing all that much. But I made it through a Ph.D. nonetheless. You kinda get used to it.

[tendaysleft]

McGill would be great, but have you actually met Amelia Jones? Good luck with that.

Hah! Fascinating...

I will definitely check out Tufts. UConn has a terminal MA but I was a little wary considering I really hadn't heard much about it, or UConn's art history department at all, for that matter.

And I guess by NYU I did actually mean the IFA--sorry for the misunderstanding. And unless I've really misinterpreted their website, I thought they did award terminal MAs. I guess that's another call-and-ask question!

Actually, this might actually seem like a ridiculous question, but when I call and ask for details about the program, I'm never sure whether I'm meant to call/email the faculty graduate director, or the non-faculty program administrator. I guess I'm not sure what sort of information either is meant to provide prospective students. If I went to visit a school, for example, with whom would I meet?

[tendaysleft]

Be aware that MOST (if not ALL) PhD programs are going to want a solid piece of work within 25 pages of length, so if you go into any program, check out their course descriptions (or email the professors) and ask if any courses do this. Most of the graduate classes I know result in a culminating 40-minute presentation over written work.

Hmm. This is definitely a great point! I will definitely start taking a closer look at the course descriptions.

That point about Williams is veeery interesting... This is going to seriously change how I approach my SOP for that school. So many thoughts flying around my head right now!

[losemygrip]

IFA isn't technically a terminal MA program because they do offer the Ph.D. beyond that. Generally "terminal MA" only applies to a school that only offers the MA. An MA at the IFA is traditionally considered to be as tough as a Ph.D. at some other places. (And expensive!)

As far as UConn, if you wanted to work with someone like Amelia Jones, Kelly whats-her-name at UConn is very smart and seemed reasonably personable. She does contemporary art and gender/sexuality, among other things. I think it could be a good fallback school.

Williams has produced an outrageous number of museum directors, so if you think that's the direction you might go in the future . . . .

[Guest mckee002]

McGill would be great, but have you actually met Amelia Jones? Good luck with that.

Wait... what's wrong with Amelia Jones!? She's at the top of my list. I loved her book on Duchamp.

[losemygrip]

She's smart, but pompous and overbearing (in my experience). YMMV. She would not be someone I would want to work with personally.