The Status of 3rd Cycle Programs in Fine Art Faculties in Turkey

The 3rd Cycle Programs in Turkey is called as Proficiency in Arts in some Fine Arts Faculties. It is accepted to be equivalent to the PhD Status in necessary formalities and in academic positions. The Problem statement is underlying that there are discussions regarding the name of the 3rd cycle programs. Some disciplines suggest it to be called as ‘PhD.’ while the others prefer to call the program as ‘Proficiency in Arts’. There are problems based on the relation between the balance of theoretical and practical works in 3rd cycle thesis studies. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the general approaches regarding the 3rd cycle programs in arts in Turkey. Some disciplines e.g. painting, sculpture etc. may offer the main synthesis work to be based on a unique practical study as an applied piece of art in the end of the thesis study. Disciplines like interior architecture and environmental design, etc. offer the work as both theoretical and practical proposals as outcomes of wide analysis studies composing from visual and literature based research. Departments like graphics are concentrating on the work of the final study and the main context to be the balance of practical and theoretical.Doctoral thesis should carry at least one of the following qualities:∘The use of innovative scientific approach in the thesis∘Development of a novice scientific method∘Application of a known method to a new field.Proficiency in Art thesis must have artistic value and should include at least one of the following qualities and a report that documents and explains such a study:∘Development of an original artistic study.∘Development of an original project.∘Giving/organizing a concert or recital that requires creativity.∘Organizing a drama/play that requires creativity.These programs attempt to provide the students with the opportunities to acquire the necessary knowledge accumulation in their fields, to organize independent research activities, to interpret scientific data and facts by deeply reviewing them, to develop new synthesis based on these data and facts or to develop an original and high quality artistic study with creativity.