MA Degree Program

Program objectives are to equip students with knowledge in a specific field of art and visual culture; to foster critical analysis of the major theories and documents of art history as a practical tool for individual research; to provide field opportunities through museum internships or archaeological excavations; and to develop strategies for the presentation of research in a clear and persuasive manner.

Program Admission General Art History

1. For Fall semester admission with assistantship, completed materials must be received at the University by February 15. Applications received after April 1 cannot be guaranteed consideration for the Fall semester. For Spring semester admission, the deadline is November 1.
2. For the concentration in General Art History, an undergraduate course in each of the major areas of art history is desirable: American, ancient, medieval, renaissance, baroque, and modern. If, after evaluation of the student’s transcript, the art history faculty perceives a deficiency in these areas, the student may be required to successfully complete courses that will not count toward the Master of Arts degree.
3. A letter of intent, explaining the applicant’s motivation and objectives in pursuing a graduate degree in art history.
4. A sample of undergraduate writing, preferably in art history.
5. Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a college faculty member who knows the student well.

Note General Art History

Applications forms for assistantships are also available from the Department of Art.

Prerequisites for Admission to Degree Candidacy General Art History

The student shall apply for admission to degree candidacy upon the completion of 18 semester hours of graduate work. All candidacy requirements listed below must be satisfied before registering for more than 18 hours of coursework at the graduate level. To be approved for admission for candidacy, the student shall have:

1. A grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
2. Fulfilled all departmental prerequisite requirements.
3. A planned degree program that meets all departmental and graduate school requirements. Pass Qualifying Examinations
4. Pass Qualifying Examinations
   • Foreign language translation exam: The language is usually French, German, Italian or another research language appropriate to the student’s field of study, to be approved by the Graduate Academic Advisor.  The exam will consist of a 300-500 word passage chosen by a faculty member and must be translated within a two-hour period. Two additional attempts are allowed.
   • Image Identification Exam: For the concentration in General Art History the examination covers works of art and visual culture from various regions and time periods, ancient to modern. Two additional attempts are allowed.
5. The student must establish a history of satisfactory ratings in periodic review, a semi-annual evaluation of each student’s general level of achievement by all area graduate faculty. Two unsatisfactory ratings will result in dismissal from the program.

Program Requirements General Art History

1. A total of 30 semester hours for the concentration in General Art History.  
2. The completion of ARTH 6123 or ARTH 6166 (see concentration requirements) and  ARTH 7130.

General Art History:

A minimum of 24 semester hours in art history (including the required ARTH 6123  or ARTH 6166   and ARTH 7130 , with no more than 9 semester hours in 6000-level courses.

Up to 6 hours of elective credit outside the field of art history may be selected with the permission of the advisor. Included among these electives would be:

• ARTH 6381 - Art Curatorial Tech Credit Hours: (3)
• ARTH 6660 - Museum Collections ** Credit Hours: (3)
• ARTH 6661 - Collections Research Credit Hours: (3)
• ARTH 6662 - Museum Exhibitions ** Credit Hours: (3)
• ARTH 7661 - Museum Practices ** Credit Hours: (3)
• ARTH 7662 - Museums & Communities ** Credit Hours: (3)

• Students selecting the thesis option (see item 3, below) will complete one elective course from the above listed options AND ARTH 7996 - Thesis. Students selecting the comprehensive examination option (see item 3, below) will complete two elective courses from the above listed options.

Note:

Students should consult with their academic advisor as to the required and recommended courses appropriate to their area of concentration.

Other Requirements Gen Art History

1. Twenty-one semester hours of 7000 level courses, including no more than 3 credit hours for the thesis option (see below).
2. Satisfactory completion of the qualifying examinations
3. Either a completed thesis and successful oral defense or a comprehensive examination and successful oral defense. NOTE: Students who elect to complete a thesis should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before beginning the writing process. Students who elect to take a comprehensive examination should make arrangements with their degree advisor and major area professors before their final semester, in order to prepare suitable exam questions or writing assignments for their examination and defense.
4. Graduate Assistantships. Students with assistantships are required to take 9 hours each semester. Assistantships are renewed based on the following:
   1. 1.Students must attain the required 3.0 grade point average and maintain a good record in their assistantship work assignments.
   2. 2.Students must make satisfactory progress toward the degree. In order to maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree during the first two semesters of study, the student must:
      1. 1.pass the qualifying exam administered by the concentration, and
      2. 2.     take the foreign language translation exam.
   3. 3.Students who fail to successfully complete these examinations by May 1 of the Spring semester will not receive a high priority for assistantship renewal for a third semester of study.