Take Your Career to the Next Level with a M.A. in Art

If you want one of the best all-around values in a graduate art program in the Chicago area, look no further.  Governors State’s M.A. in Art degree prepares you to take the next step in becoming a practicing artist or to have a career in the art world as a critic, curator or professional educator.  However, regardless of the direction your career path takes, you will be taught by gifted, practicing artists who can help you to achieve your professional goals.

As part of the College of Arts and Sciences, our quality art programs are housed in the Communication, Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Division and include the permanent GSU Visual Arts Gallery.  The CVPA is committed to creating an intellectually stimulating, and visually compelling experience for the entire region through exhibits of established and emerging artist as well as our own students’ work.

GSU’s exceptional art program emphasizes intellectual curiosity, self-discipline, and technical proficiency.  Students who are accepted into the master’s program will select either an art history or studio option with approval from their advisor.  Courses include painting, printmaking, photography, digital imaging, sculpture and ceramics.  A student has the opportunity to develop into an artist in command of the medium and capable of expressing an individual view.  Our extensive art history courses range from contemporary international and regional artistic expressions to those of ancient America, Africa and Asia.

To be admitted into the art program, students must meet all university criteria and have an undergraduate degree from one of the humanities.  Prospective students need to submit a proposal that outlines academic goals with supporting rationale and a plan of study.  The proposal must be approved beforehand by a program advisor.  For the complete degree requirements, please see our website. 

In every college we have outstanding programs and world-class professors; all focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At GSU you’ll find an abundance of both.  We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.

An Overview of GSU’s College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is comprised of the following four divisions:  The Division of Chemistry and Biological Sciences; Division of Communication, Visual and Performing Arts; Division of Computing Mathematics and Technology and the Division of Humanities and Social Science. Our broad course offerings include 20 undergraduate programs, 17 minors and 10 graduate programs.   Furthermore, we have 8 certificate programs available for undergraduate and/or graduate students. 

In terms of accreditation, GSU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university is also a member of the Illinois Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs.  In addition many of the programs in the CAS have received specific accreditation.  

As an example the American Chemical Society has approved our Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree program. The American Chemical Society approves professional programs that meet the guidelines defined as high quality undergraduate education.  Another example includes our Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with Teacher Education Concentration.  The degree program has received national recognition with no conditions through the Illinois State Board of Education, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  Please see our website for further information regarding specific accreditation at the CAS.  

In terms of our professors, eighty-five percent of the faculty at GSU holds a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their discipline.  You will discover that the faculty and staff mirror the diversity of our student body and share similar experiences and backgrounds. Each of them is dedicated to their students’ success and brings a wealth of world-class research, exhibition and service to the GSU experience.

From art to criminal justice and communications to mathematics and science, the CAS offers a broad range of programs.  Also most of our classes have fewer than 30 students so you will receive personalized attention.  Visit our website to learn more about the exceptional programs at the CAS.   

Did you know that Governors State University offers several off campus learning opportunities including the Naperville Learning Center? These locations offer added convenience to students in all areas of Chicagoland.   We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.

Explore Your Options in GSU’s Mathematics Programs

The College of Arts and Sciences offers an excellent selection of degree programs in Mathematics through the Division of Computing, Mathematics and Technology.  Our Mathematics programs provide students with the skills they need to develop powers of critical reasoning and logic within the context of mathematics.  GSU students are prepared for rewarding careers in a variety of fields and advanced graduate studies.

Our minor in Mathematics can be taken to enhance your preparation for a major discipline that requires a substantial amount of work in mathematics and will help to develop additional quantitative and qualitative reasoning skills.  The minor requires a total of 23-credit hours.  All students intending to get a minor in mathematics must meet with an advisor in the Division to develop a study plan.

GSU's B.A. in Mathematics degree is a balance between theoretical and applied study.  Students receive a substantial, broad background in mathematics and develop skills in logical thinking, problem analysis, problem-solving, and computer usage.  Fields that require mathematic skills include medicine, business, education, government, computer science and engineering. There is also the option to earn an Illinois Teaching license for grades 6 through 12. Students who enroll in the B.A. in Mathematics with an Actuarial Science concentration will take courses in economics, statistics and probability and be prepared to take the first actuarial exam.

Our M.S. in Mathematics program emphasizes problem solving and mathematical inquiry. Students will be presented with course work in a broad range of mathematics including abstract algebra, probability and statistics, combinatorics, advanced calculus, the history of mathematics, financial mathematics and mathematical modeling.  Students who enroll in the M.S. in Mathematics with an Actuarial Science sequence will take coursework in advanced probability and financial mathematics and be prepared to take the first two actuarial exams.

The other offering from the Division is our Mathematics Education Certificate program.  Please see our website to learn more about all of our outstanding programs. 

Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  Each of our four colleges has stellar programs and world-class professors focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting. Our rich history, cultural amenities and a beautiful campus all contribute to making us one of the best colleges in Chicago.

  

GSU’s Computer Programs

As a part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Division of Computing, Mathematics and Technology offers undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in Computer Science.  These programs are a balance of theoretical and applied study and are intended for students interested in the application of computers and information technology to problem-solving.

A minor in Computer Science is a great choice for anyone who is pursuing a career in another field that requires a significant amount of computer use or to augment their major with additional marketable skills.  The 22-credit hour minor requires at least one course at an upper-division level. 

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree at GSU provides a solid foundation for a challenging career with rewards in our technology dependent world.  The theoretical and practical based program prepares graduates to work in a variety of settings such as business and industry, government agencies, or in research and technical organizations.  Jobs include programmers, network professionals, systems designers, software engineers and database professionals.

GSU’s Master of Science in Computer Science degree is an applications-focused program with a software engineering orientation.  It is designed for practicing professionals in the field.  As a student, you are prepared for a challenging career as a software engineering professional in a wide range of business, industrial and government settings.

Our Digital Forensics Certificate provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge in digital forensics, which is one of the fastest growing branches of computer security.  The 12-credit hour certificate is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.  Digital forensics investigators specialize in recovering, analyzing and presenting data from computers for use in investigations and as evidence. 

Finally the Division’s Information Security Certificate is a 15-credit hour program and is also open to undergraduate and graduate students.  Information security jobs are one of the fastest growing in the field of security. Organizations need specialists to protect their digital assets from computer and network attacks. 

Please see our website for all of the details and requirements of our Computer Science programs.  Our faculty’s research interests range widely and are reflected in our courses.    

At GSU we offer a wide variety of exceptional academic programs, activities and services.  In every college we have stellar programs and world-class professors; all focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Our rich history, cultural amenities and a beautiful campus all contribute to making us one of the best universities in Illinois.

A New Theatre and Performance Studies Program at GSU

One of the newer programs offered from the CAS Division of Communication, Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is our Theatre and Performance Studies (TAPS), Bachelor of Arts degree.  The TAPS program provides the opportunity for students to experience performance as a transformative agent of social, cultural, political and personal change.  The program emphasizes the importance of performing stories as a way to initiate a sustaining dialogue of shared experience across identities, diversities, and desires. 

Students in the program will develop a greater understanding of the role that storytelling has on life in general and how it is used to offer an awareness of cultural diversity and civic engagement.  Furthermore, the program provides students with the tools to develop better communication, leadership and critical thinking skills.  The Theatre and Performance Studies program is committed to making art that is provocative, innovative, insightful, engaged, and resonant whether on stage, behind the scenes or in the classroom.

As a student in the program, you will select a specialization from one of the following three choices:  Performance, Technical Theatre, and History and Criticism.  See our website to learn more about the details and requirements for the B.A. in Theatre and Performance Studies degree.  Also you can stay informed of audition announcements, production dates, course information, and campus and community happenings through our facebook page. 

Furthermore, be sure to take advantage of the excellent programs from our Center for Performing Arts such as the 2015 GSU Taste of the Center GALA event that takes place May 29^th.  The Center presents more than 50 performances each year and offers the community a diverse range of excellent, affordable cultural and arts education experiences. 

We encourage you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.  

Did You Know You Can Get College Credit for Military Service?

It only seems fair that a member of the U.S. Military who now wishes to go to college to get their degree is recognized for their years of service, and Governors State University could not agree more.  In fact, we have designed a program for just such individuals that awards college credit toward an undergraduate degree based on prior work and life experiences.

GSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program acknowledges that members of the military and many other adult students bring a multitude of talents and abilities to their college course work.  This is why we award college credit based on military service, proficiency exams and other significant learning experiences that can be used to accelerate your degree completion.  We even allow up to 80 credit hours in lower division courses earned in an earlier time period to be transferred to Governors State. 

A bachelor’s degree can help to advance your career and open doors for new opportunities.  Statistics indicate that a degree can make a big difference in your overall earning potential.  Four-year degree holders earn on average 33 percent more than those with only some college, and the difference is even higher between four-year degree holders and those with only a high school diploma. Source: “Education Pays 2013,” The College Board.

If you want a head start on your degree and are interested in learning how to earn college credit for your military service, please contact the Interdisciplinary Studies Department.  The program is intended for students who have earned college credits from a regionally accredited institution, but have to earn a bachelor’s degree. Please note that all incoming students are required to meet GSU general admission requirements.   

Also as a veteran, the GSU Veterans Resource Center is committed to easing your transition into academia.  They are there to help you access a number of resources, including job opportunities, scholarships and other free events and initiatives geared specifically toward the student veteran community.

Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We have a highly diverse student body and our courses are taught by gifted professors. Our rich history, cultural amenities and a beautiful campus all contribute to making us one of the best colleges in the Chicagoland area.

Criminal Justice - Restorative Justice Concentration

Dr. Carolyn Boyes-Watson, author of Peacemaking Circles and Urban Youth - Bringing Justice Home, defines restorative justice as “a broad term which encompasses a growing social movement to institutionalize peaceful approaches to harm, problem-solving and violations of legal and human rights.”   She adds that examples of restorative justice range from “international peacemaking tribunals such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa to innovations within our criminal justice system, schools, social services and communities.” 

In the book, Changing Lenses, Howard Zehr states that restorative justice asks the questions, “Who has been hurt? What are their needs? Whose obligations are these? What are the causes? Who has a stake in the situation?” And finally, “What is the appropriate process to involve stakeholders in an effort to address causes and put things right?”  This is unlike traditional criminal justice methods where questions typically revolve around what laws were broken, who did it and what punishment do they deserve.  

In restorative justice, collaborative, community-based or community-oriented techniques are used as a way to respond to crimes and offenses.  The approach relies less on traditional judicial processing and more on the victim, community and offender-centered practices that hold offenders accountable for their actions.  The process helps to ensure the consequences of harms and offenses meet the specific needs and desires of victims and community members, while improving offender competencies so as to prevent future harmful behavior on the offender's part.

At Governors State, we offer a Restorative and Community Justice Concentration in our B.A. in Criminal Justice program as well as a five-course Restorative Justice Certificate.  In the program, students study the historical, global and cultural influences on contemporary restorative justice programs and practices.  In addition students take part in practice-oriented workshops to acquire hands-on practice and skill development in restorative justice techniques.  Please see our website for the program’s requirements and information.   

Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice

Did you know that Governors State University offers several off campus learning opportunities including the Naperville Learning Center? These locations offer added convenience to students in all areas of Chicagoland.   We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.