Art History - M.A.

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Art History provides a comprehensive understanding of art across various periods, regions, and movements. Students specialize in a chosen area, conducting independent research and producing an original thesis that demonstrates their expertise. The program prepares graduates for careers in the art world, including archivists, curators, and high school art history teachers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts degree in Art History offers a range of perspectives on art, theory and cultural production across historical periods, geographic regions and significant movements. When specializing in one area for the thesis, students may choose to focus in periods and genres related to faculty research and expertise.

Outline:

• Major Requirements:
• ARTH 52001 ART HISTORY METHODOLOGIES (3 credit hours)
• Art History (ARTH) Graduate Electives (11 credit hours)
• ART 67199 M.A.
THESIS I (16 credit hours)
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 32
• Thesis: The thesis is a significant project or body of work done independently of other coursework.
Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to conduct research or produce a significant, original project in a discriminating and disciplined manner. The thesis topic should be one that will further the student’s knowledge and ability in the specialty by demonstrating skill as a researcher or studio artist. The outcome should be an effort that serves as a foundation for the pursuit of independent work when the graduate program is completed. At this stage, students are expected to work in close consultation with their thesis advisor.

Assessment:

• Candidacy Review Examination: Successful completion of the Candidacy Review Examination is a requirement in every School of Art graduate program.
In the Art History major, the examination is given in the third semester of full-time coursework. Successful completion of the examination designates the student as a candidate for the degree.

Careers:

• Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries:
• Archivists (7.9% faster than the average, 8,100 number of jobs, $56,760 potential earnings)
• Curators (12.6% much faster than the average, 14,500 number of jobs, $56,990 potential earnings)
• Additional Careers:
• Art history at the high school and introductory college survey level
• Museum registrars and museum technicians
• Language Requirement: A reading knowledge of a language other than English is required.
• Coursework Limitation: No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grade Requirement: Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
• Program Learning Outcomes:
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of art from a range of historic and cultural traditions.
• Observe, describe and interpret art objects, events and concepts within their cultural context.
• Engage with a variety of methodologies and theories relevant to different fields of art history.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of written and oral analysis.
• Demonstrate advanced research skills and knowledge in a particular artist, collection, period or movement through the thesis.
• Access and utilize relevant primary and secondary source material in diverse formats, including digital technology.
• Become engaged citizens of a global community and recognize the role of art and cultural production as they foster communities, reflect identities and understand social systems.