Art History, MA MA
The Department of Art History offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts degree. The graduate program prepares students for either a career in the arts or for PhD-level work at other universities. Course offerings cover the full range of western art, including film studies and electronic arts. Non-western courses in Pre-Columbian, Asian, Islamic, and African art are also offered.
The Art History MA can be combined with the to prepare students for leadership and development roles in nonprofit arts organizations, including museums and galleries, performing and community arts centers, and arts service organizations and charities.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus
Admission RequirementsÂ
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet  plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- A minimum of 15 credits in Art History.
- Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with applicant’s academic or professional activities and potential.
- A writing sample to the Department of Art History, for example, an undergraduate art historical term paper.
- A reason statement to the Department of Art History, explaining one's reasons for applying to the program.Â
- Strongly recommended, though not required: background in languages, history or classics. Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses.
The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree.
Credits and Courses
Thesis Track: MA in Art History with an Emphasis on Methods and Criticism
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits in Art History, of which a minimum of 21 credits must be 700- to 900-level courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý700 | Proseminar in Art History 1 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý891 | Art Museum Internship | 3 |
| 6 credits of ARTHISTÂ 990 Thesis Research | 6 | |
| 9 credits of other 700- to 900-level Art History courses (excluding ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý703 and ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý704) | 9 | |
| 9 credits of additional graduate-level Art History courses | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
 Must be taken in the student's first fall semester.
Of the total 30 credits, 12 credits must be distributed across three of the following four areas: Ancient-Medieval; Early Modern; Modern (1850-the Present including Film); and non-Western. At least 9 of these credits must be taken in courses numbered 700 or above.
The following courses may not be used to satisfy the distribution requirement, although they will count toward the overall number of credits needed to graduate:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý703 | Introduction to Art Museum Studies I | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý704 | Introduction to Art Museum Studies II | 3 |
Under special circumstances, 3 credits in 700- to 900-level work may be substituted for 3 of the 6 credits of thesis research. In addition, students may take a maximum of 6 credits of independent research (890, 891 and/or 999); however, these credits may not be taken in the first 6 credits of graduate work in the Department, and not until all deficiencies (if any) have been satisfied. Furthermore, they may not be counted toward the required 21 credits of 700- to 900-level courses. They will count, however, toward the overall number of credits needed to graduate. Upon petition to the director of graduate studies, a student may be permitted to take up to 6 credits in appropriate areas outside Art History (e.g., anthropology, literature, history, music history, philosophy, film).
Thesis
In addition to completing all the coursework required for the degree, the student must write a thesis on a subject selected in consultation with the advisor. This study must demonstrate the student’s ability to organize material and their familiarity with relevant research methods and art-historical literature. The student must pass an oral defense of the thesis.
Curatorial Track: MA in Art History with an Emphasis on Museums and Curatorial Practice
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits in Art History, of which a minimum of 27 credits must be 700- to 900-level courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý700 | Proseminar in Art History 1 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý891 | Art Museum Internship | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý703 | Introduction to Art Museum Studies I | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý704 | Introduction to Art Museum Studies II | 3 |
| 6 credits of ArtHist 991 Thesis Exhibition | 6 | |
| 12 additional credits in 700- to 900-level courses | 9 | |
| 3 additional credits in graduate-level Art History courses | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Must be taken in the student's first fall semester.
Of the total 30 credits,12 credits must be distributed across three of the following four areas: Ancient-Medieval; Early Modern; Modern (1850-the Present including Film); and non-Western. At least 9 of these credits must be taken in courses numbered 700 or above.Â
Under special circumstances, 3 credits in 700- to 900-level work may be substituted for 3 of the 6 credits of thesis research. In addition, students may take a maximum of 3 credits of independent research (890, 891 and/or 999); however, these credits may not be taken in the first 6 credits of graduate work in the Department, and not until all deficiencies (if any) have been satisfied. Furthermore, they may not be counted toward the required 27 credits of 700- to 900-level courses. They will count, however, toward the overall number of credits needed to graduate. Upon petition to the graduate advisor, a student may be permitted to take up to 3 credits in appropriate areas outside Art History (e.g., anthropology, literature, history, music history, philosophy, film).
Exhibition
The student on this curatorial track must also organize an exhibition accompanied by a scholarly catalog on a subject selected in consultation with the advisor. This exhibition must demonstrate the student’s ability to organize material and their familiarity with relevant research methods and art historical literature. The exhibition is considered the equivalent of a formal thesis and the accompanying written work must be submitted to the Graduate School in appropriate format.
Areas for Distribution Requirement
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses by Distribution Area | ||
| Ancient-Medieval | ||
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý312³Ò | Minoan and Mycenaean Art and Archaeology | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý313³Ò | Greek Art and Archaeology | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý314³Ò | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý315³Ò | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý316³Ò | Roman Art and Archaeology | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý323³Ò | Age of Apocalypse: Western European Art after the First Millennium | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý324³Ò | Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý325³Ò | Early Medieval Art in the West | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý326³Ò | Chivalry and Spirituality: French Gothic Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý327³Ò | Caliphs, Emirs, & Kings: Art & Architecture of Medieval Spain | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý328³Ò | Frankish Art of the Crusader Period in the Levant | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý329³Ò | Late Medieval Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý412³Ò | Cities and Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý413³Ò | Greek Sculpture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý720 | Colloquium in Medieval Art/Architecture: | 3 |
| Early Modern | ||
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý333³Ò | High Renaissance Art in Italy | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý341³Ò | Art of the Dutch Golden Age | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý342³Ò | Art and Society in Renaissance Florence | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý353³Ò | American Art: Colonial Period - 1870 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý357³Ò | Rococo to Revolution: European Art, 1750-1850 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý431³Ò | Renaissance Architecture in Italy | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý447³Ò | Topics in Early Modern Art: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý730 | Colloquium in Renaissance/Baroque Art/Architecture: | 3 |
| 1850 to the Present (including Film) | ||
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý307³Ò | Film Directors: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý308³Ò | Film Styles: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý349³Ò | American Postmodernism 1960-2000 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý354³Ò | American Art: 1870 - Present | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý355³Ò | American Folk Art | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý356³Ò | American Architecture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý358³Ò | Realism to Post-Impressionism: European Art, 1850-1900 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý364³Ò | Modernism and the Avant-Garde, 1900-1960 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý365³Ò | History of Photography | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý366³Ò | German Painting, 1800-1933 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý368³Ò | History of Modern Design | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý369³Ò | Introduction to Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý376³Ò | History and Theory of New Media Art | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý377³Ò | Art and Performance | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý462³Ò | Frank Lloyd Wright | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý463³Ò | Cubism and its Inheritance | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý465³Ò | Dada and Surrealist Art | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý469³Ò | American Artists Revealed: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý470³Ò | Topics in American Art: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý750 | Colloquium in American Art: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý760 | Colloquium in Modern Art/Architecture: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý761 | Colloquium in Film History, Theory, Criticism: | 3 |
| Non-Western | ||
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý343³Ò | Art and Culture of Spain and Latin America, 1500-1750 | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý367³Ò | Latin American Modernisms | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý371³Ò | African Art | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý372³Ò | Art of the Inca and their Ancestors | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý373³Ò | Art of Ancient Mexico and Central America | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý375³Ò | Art of the Aztec Empire | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý380³Ò | Chinese Painting | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý382³Ò | Chinese Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý383³Ò | Japanese Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý384³Ò | Art and Immortality in Ancient China | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý386³Ò | Art, Ritual, and Ethnicity of China | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý387³Ò | Buddhist Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý474³Ò | Maya Art | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý481³Ò | Topics in Chinese Art: | 1-3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý482³Ò | Topics in Non-Western Art: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý740 | Colloquium in Latin American Art: | 3 |
| ´¡¸é°Õ±á±õ³§°ÕÌý770 | Colloquium in Non-Western Art: | 3 |
Application to all graduate programs are completed through the 51ÁÔÆæ Graduate School. Please see their website for detailed information about the application process and contact them with questions.
We also have provided information about applying to one of the Art History graduate programs and our admissions criteria:
Teaching and Research Assistantships are the primary form of financial support for Art History graduate students. These positions provide a salary and tuition remission. Some small scholarships are also available. Click below for more details.