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

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 African American – African Diaspora Art Histories, 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:

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

Prerequisites for Admission to Degree Candidacy

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.
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 African American -African Diaspora Art Histories with Museum Studies Certificate, 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

1. The total semester hours vary from 30 to 33 depending on the concentration. 
2. The completion of ARTH 6123  or ARTH 6166  and ARTH 7130 . 

African American and African Diaspora Art Histories with Museum Studies Certificate:

• ARTH 6183 - Visual Arts Of Africa Credit Hours: (3)
• ARTH 6185 - African American Art Credit Hours: (3)

Note:

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

Other Requirements

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. Students must attain the required 3.0 grade point average and maintain a good record in their assistantship work assignments.
   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. pass the qualifying exam administered by the concentration, and
      2. take the foreign language translation exam.
   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.