Graduate Studies
Emily Carr offers robust and innovative Master of Applied Arts (MAA) programs in Visual Arts, Media Arts and Design. This professional, terminal degree prepares students to engage in a range of diverse and expanding sectors of culture and creative industry. Graduates from our program will be able to demonstrate signifcant expertise in the application of creative knowledge in their field.
The MAA is naturally interdisciplinary. Courses in research, theory and studio practice integrate methodological threads that span diverse fields of cultural production. Seminars offer a constructive environment for discourse and critique, while a series of lectures and studio visits from renowned artists informs and supplements student practice. Master of Applied Arts cohorts are chosen with attention to the unique combination of attributes students bring, resulting in balanced and dynamic study groups.
The MAA is delivered through two distinct but interrelated programs: Resident and Low-Residency. Resident cohorts progress through the program in 21 months of fulltime study. Low-Residency cohorts progress through the equivalent program in 28 months, with equally challenging but more flexible delivery model built around 3 summer intensive residencies in Vancouver and rigorous online curriculum.
Emily Carr is proud of its internationally renowned faculty who guide students through the learning process with ongoing analysis, critique, and support.
We also offer a Master of Digital Media degree at our Great Northern Way campus.
The Resident Master of Applied Arts program offers focused study in the following streams:
- Design
- Media Arts
- Visual Arts
The Low-Residency Master of Applied Arts program offers study in one stream:
- Visual Arts and Media Arts
The Faculty of Graduate Studies is planning two new streams in the Low Residency Program: Transformation Design and Illustration.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies admits a limited number of design, media and visual arts students to each program. Both the Resident and Low-Residency programs feature intensive theory and research seminars with rigorous studio classes. Students learn to locate their own practices within broader fields of inquiry through writing projects, critiques of studio work, presentations and an internship.
Graduate students work in a range of disciplines and come together from around the world create a unique environment of interaction and exploration. They benefit from access to broad-based resources and extensive facilities in traditional and new technologies. A diverse and dedicated faculty, as well as a host of visiting artists and lecturers, support and encourage individual student research and production.
Students acquire a profound understanding of their own practices through ongoing presentation, analysis and critique. In addition, students complete a formal internship within the creative and cultural industries or a self-directed internship or residency. The internship ensures that each student engages in relevant work or research that provides practical experience in a professional context.
At the end of the final semester, students produce an integrated thesis project comprised of a body of independent visual work and a thesis essay. A final exhibition presents their visual thesis projects to the public at large.
What our students have to say about the MAA program:
"The Low-Res program has provided a unique opportunity for me to pursue a graduate degree while continuing to work at making films. The resulting workload can be considerable at times, but the group, online process has been both stimulating and rewarding." Rick Beairsto, Low-Res MAA program student
“The aspect of the program that contributed most to my learning was the faculty and their accessibility - especially my dialogue with my supervisor. As the program is multi-disciplinary and accepts a small number of people, the opportunity to work with designers and artists from different backgrounds was inspiring.”Defne Corbacioglu, Design stream, Resident MAA student (Grad 2010)
“I enjoyed that there’s a lot of room for personal growth as an artist, and much support for students that wish to take new directions in their work.” Erdem Tasdelen, Visual Arts stream, Resident MAA student (Grad 2010)
