10 Best Mfa Programs In Long Beach, CA (2022 Updated)

This museum apparently has a very good arts administration program for students. How do I know this? Several years ago, I chanced upon the museum at a fortuitous time: 1) Lou Reed, who had recently died, I believe, had a sonic/accoustic sort of sound room that I was able to enter with with a pal who is a retired Hollywood sound engineer; 2) Babette Mangolte, who has done some camera work for, among others, Jean Pierre Gorin and, I believe, Chantal Akerman, was not only hung–her work, folks, not her….–but also supported by the aforementioned museum administrators in training, who handed out white gloves that had to be used to finger Ms. Mangolte's work. O.K. That was a bit much for me. And the best of her nude NYC art happenings photography work from the seventies as photography at that particular exhibit is not my favorite homage to Marcel DuChamp's 'Nude Descending a Staircase.' But guess what? Mangolte's work was well placed. It was not only right around the corner from the Lou Reed sound cave, but also near some interesting photographs of places in or near decay. There was a haunting photograph of a piano of Elvis's at Graceland at the museum right between Lou Reed's sound room and the Mangolte exhibit. A grand or a baby grand. With real Tennessee light. And a bad carpet. Just like some of the King's hair dos sometimes. In any case, I was reminded of the beauty of that shot of Elvis's piano when I saw a shot or two that would make magnificent movie stills from Robert DuValle's and Robert Downey, Jr.'s recent "The Judge." DuValle meets Downey, Jr. in an Indiana funeral home near the beginning of the movie. There is a shot of a casket in the back that is DuValle's wife and Downey, Jr's Mother and some funereal flower arrangements and one character who knows both the Father–played by DuValle–and his son–played by Downey, Jr.–going out of a door to the left of the frame as the viewer watches. Boy. That light and those flowers and that casket and the scenario had everything to do with Elvis in this University Art Museum at Cal State Long Beach the day I was there and then some. And as for nudes descending a staircase, there was some apt still motion kind of photography. Of a figure showing and not showing through wood slats. Amazing stuff. And in the back of the museum was great conceptual art. The best, in fact, because not at all intended: A small, glass room encased mini-library of catalogues of past exhibits at this museum and at others and a computer at which one can access the visual arts. A repository of art that was unvisited. Empty computer just like Elvis's piano was empty; just like Lou Reed was recently deceased and reminiscent now as I write this of the coffin in "The Judge." A museum within a museum. A hall of mirrors of fun shows former and future. So now go and see!…Not just it. But all of them. The works and the artists. And, if you get hungry or thirsty, there is an excellent student coffee and sandwich place right around the corner. And there is plenty of disabled parking and it is close to the museum and to the student outdoor cafe.JeanneMarie T

This is an otherwise excellent museum that has debased itself by permitting a major donor to fund the permanent exhibition of their incredibly mediocre art. The university should be ashamed it has consigned itself to this agreement in perpetuity. Absolute shills for the donors patronage. And of course the donor is just as shameless. Read about it in the LA times titled ‘The artist in CSULB’s new exhibit is a major donor. That’s bad, and so is the art’Thomas

If your a college student looking for something to do on campus look no further. Friendly staff and great environment. Exhibits change every semester so there is always something new to see. Plus it's free. The museum also host other events so it's good to stop by and see if there is something going on you might be interested in.Sven A

I applied to the adult studies program to finish up my bachelors degree in late 2010. This means I actually attended classes at a satellite campus, not the main campus in Azusa. The satellite facilities are excellent and your graduation ceremony is held at the same time as the convention students. This was a very touch, in that it facilitated family coming to see your college graduation. Although I only visited the main a few times, somehow they make you feel connected to the entire university. I was extremely pleased with the caliber of instruction that each instructor provided. Every aspect of this school is well managed and professional. I completed a bachelors degree Human Development and successfully transitioned into a teaching credentialing program at a state school. I read some reviews below giving the school one star…. the reasons should not be a surprise…. "they don't approve of same gender relationships", "they have strict rules"…. Well, yes, it is a Christian college and they CLEARLY point out what they believe and what they reinforce when going through the admissions process. In the end, this school is a great choice, if you are looking for a college that has very low teacher to student ratios, this is it. If you are looking for a school that is safe for you or child, this is it. If you are looking to complete your bachelors, but can't make it Azusa, look into one of their satellite campuses.Marcos Nunez

I honestly don't know what Azusa Pacific University staff members do all day. I wonder if APU staff work hard enough to earn their salaries. I am a current Azusa Pacific University student who was accepted for admission in the middle of June. I requested a transfer credit evaluation more than one month ago, but it took MORE THAN A MONTH for APU staff to begin my transfer credit evaluation. Their lame excuse is that they have not received a required form that must be submitted. APU staff did NOT inform me that my transfer credit evaluation was taking a long time because of a change in administration (a new dean). I am STRONGLY considering transferring to a different school, one in which I can receive PERSONALIZED ATTENTION. Zero stars for Azusa Pacific University staff!!!! If I could give NEGATIVE five stars, that's what I would do!!Samuel CHOI (Sam)

I would have given this school a better review however the way they have handled covid has made me lose so much respect for this school. They have made the students lives a living hell, class is not only mandatory but your camera has to be on and if it’s not we don’t receive credit for class. If we have more than a certain amount of absences they take up to 3% off of our grade for every additional absence… ridiculous. Not to mention they raised tuition for students instead of giving us some of our money back because of the certain circumstances. They will find any way possible to charge you money. Even if you miss chapel they charge you money! RidiculousBrooke Bietz

My son did his MS here for two years. We couldn't see his university when he was studying and on his convocation in 2020 because of covid. So we decided to visit it now. The campus is so vast some say over 200 acres…that my son drove us through the university. Beautiful layout, the Japanese garden and the pyramid are landmarks of the university. As a state university it's very affordable. There are lots of student housing around. There are different sections of university for each branch of learning with huge buildings. The long beach bus service is free for students. According to my son the staff is great and so are the classes. Student recreation center and medical facilities free for students. My son enjoyed learning in this university and we were impressed to see it…..👌🏼👌🏼🙂🙂👍🏻Sagar Gosavi

My experience at CSULB as an international student: —I majored in Studio Art so I spent a lot of time in the studio and outside just to look at the nature for inspiration. — CSULB has a beautiful campus with people from all over the world. School of Art is on upper campus. So it’s a bit of a walk from students parking. — I had the opportunity to work at the pyramid, a state of the art volleyball/ basketball facility. Really interesting building! — International department is helpful but it seems like they are overloaded. — All the advisor are helpful and willing to work with you, so I really appreciate that. Thanks CSULB for having me!Minh Anh Emma Tran

Park view dorms. No AC during heatwave. We had two window fans, two desk fans and two floor fans. The temperature inside the dorms was 95* at 10:00 PM. Try studying and sleeping in that heat. Trash cans overflowing outside of dorms. Cockroaches on walls. Ant infestation inside dorm rooms. Art building has no AC. Third world country conditions in So Cal. Absolutely disgusting. They serve left over meals from the previous day. Example: Fajitas was served two days in a row. The second day they ran out of tortilla’s and chips so they served mashed potatoes with the fajitas. Yum! No excuses. Fix the issues CSLB.Brad howard

If you are taking classes here because it is a part of a high school option, then avoid at all costs. I took a class through here a while back and when it came time to transfer, I was given credits but no gpa. I talked with their HQ, and was told that they "ful filled" what was on their end. Now I have to fill out another document, which will take "anywhere between one to three weeks to be filed", pay for ANOTHER COPY of my transcripts (which they would otherwise give me a 'B' for, but the registrar "doesn't have the authority to do") meanwhile I'm about to be rejected from all the schools I applied to because these people can't be bothered to put 3.0 on the bottom of my transcripts (or at least include a letter to the universities explaing that y'all dont do gpa). Thanks for nothing Antiochsydne seals

Disappointing institution. Unorganized, poorly executed curricula, and overpriced for the quality of education. If you have the money to spend for its easy admission and insulting level of education, apply. Otherwise I recommend either attending a state school or researching curricula for these kind of programs and reading the books attached to them. This is pretty much what you do at Antioch – you pay $8K a quarter to receive a list of books to read. Class discussions and in-class learning is low-grade and ridiculous. Not a hater, just very disappointed I paid so much for this experience. Glad I was able to realize this and switch schools after two quarters.Miken Janus

I'm writing this comment because apparently this is the only way I'll get this schools attention. I've been trying to get reimbursed for some grant money the last couple days because my tuition was paid for by the G.I. bill and they keep blowing me off and not returning my phone calls or emails, one staff member literally said they threw away my phone number. Dealing with this school has been a nightmare and you'd think this problem would be able to be solved in about 15 minutes.Eric Tilton

Best decision!! UWLA has 3 pillars: Competence, performance and engagement. Each law professor understands the critical perspectives in and about law, each have the ability to transfer knowledge to action and the amount of time they invest in preparing for lectures & exams. They’re unflagging in their efforts to give us actual role models in each possible field of law. Plus who doesn't love a view while studying?!!Mercedeh Ahdoot

BEST experience of my life…. Never expected to say that about law school. But if it wasn't for the staff's professionalism, professors deep understanding of the subject, and the students effort to help each other out, I don't know if i would be able to say this was the BEST decision of my life. Highly recommend making UWLA your choice for law school because it will be the GREATEST decision you will ever make.Rita Karasik

Best decision ever to study in this law school as an international student! Great faculty with deep passion deliver not only the academic knowledge from law books, but also lawyering skills honed from years of successful law practice. Strongly recommend this fantastic law school to any international students seeking quality and cost-effective law education.Diana Ding

Roski's a decent art school. I took an introductory design class here, and appreciated the seriousness and intensity of the teaching. Yet it seemed they were trying a bit too hard to be taken seriously, judging art by some arbitrary "elite" standard. This seems like a more traditional art school, one that teaches the classical disciplines of painting and sculpture rather than a place for experimental work. They favor students who've already proven themselves with natural talent. I left my class here a bit miffed, a bit discouraged. I had received a pretty low grade, especially given the amount of work I put in. They want people who are already artists. That means they don't want a considerable portion of the student body.Casey Penk

A great place to get your creative juices flowing. Terrarium class = super fun little piece of cool-ity you can take home, nice people. Katie explained everything well so replication at home is possible. Definitely would love to try other things here.Ora Bishop