Art | Master of Professional Studies (Community Engaged Art)
*This program will be open in Spring 2026.
The Master of Professional Studies (Community Engaged Art) at Fort Hays State University is a fully online graduate program designed for artists who want to deepen their impact through creative community engagement.
Ideal for both visual and performing artists, the program emphasizes the use of art as a catalyst for social justice, sustainability, and cultural awareness, with a strong focus on serving underserved communities.
The interdisciplinary curriculum combines coursework in studio practice, community engagement theory, and social entrepreneurship. Through this holistic approach, students develop and lead community arts initiatives that address real-world challenges and generate meaningful, measurable social change.
Program Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| ART 890 | Introduction to Community Engaged Art | 3 |
| ART 891 | Foundational Theories of Community Engaged Art Education | 3 |
| ART 892 | Qualitative Research Methods in Community Engaged Art Education | 3 |
| Concentration | ||
| Select 10 credit hours from the following: | 10 | |
| Internship in Community Engaged Art | ||
| Program Development and Assessment in Community Engaged Art | ||
| Project Implementation in Community Engaged Art | ||
| Seminar in Sociology (Social Inequality) | ||
| Select six credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Social Entrepreneurship and Grassroots Social Action | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Directed Electives | ||
| Select six credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Problems: Drawing I | ||
| Problems: Painting I | ||
| Problems: Sculpture I | ||
| Problems: Photography | ||
| Problems: Printmaking I | ||
| Problems: Ceramics I | ||
| Problems: Graphic Design | ||
| Problems: Drawing II | ||
| Problems: Painting II | ||
| Problems: Sculpture II | ||
| Problems: Design II | ||
| Problems: Printmaking II | ||
| Problems: Ceramics II | ||
| Graduate Readings in Art History | ||
| Seminar: Ancient Art History | ||
| Seminar: 20th-Century Art History | ||
| Principles of Civic Leadership | ||
| Principles of Organizational Leadership | ||
| Ethical Leadership | ||
| Community Theory and Development | ||
| Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Graduate School Graduation Requirements
All Graduate degrees1 require:
- Maintain a C or higher in all coursework.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. (Refer to program)
- A minimum of 30-75 hours of Graduate course work. (Refer to program)
- Comprehensive Examination or equivalent assessment is required. (Master of Liberal Studies requires a Comprehensive Examination and Concentration Exam)
- Degree completion within 8 years.
- 1
Refer to degree program for any additional requirements.
Note for MLS and MPS degree concentrations:
Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) programs are administratively housed within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences but are listed in the catalog within the academic unit related to the relevant concentration area for ease in navigation.
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) programs are administratively housed within the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences but are listed in the catalog within the academic unit related to the relevant concentration area for ease in navigation.