The Master of Arts in Art History prepares students with the course work, language skills, and research experience needed for further graduate study or work in a museum or educational setting. The curriculum is structured to provide both breadth and depth of inquiry through a variety of approaches to art history. We recommend that courses be broadly selected to take full advantage of the multiple approaches, expertise, and insights of the Art History faculty.
Degree Requirements
Plan A – Thesis Option
The thesis option emphasizes art historical research, problem solving, and communication skills. Candidates who plan to continue study at the doctoral level should select Plan A.
Requirements:
* Six of the minimum 24 required credit hours may be taken in related areas such as anthropology, historic preservation, history, literature, philosophy, studio art, or women’s studies.
** The foreign language competency requirement may be satisfied by any of the means established by The Graduate School.
Plan B – Non-thesis Option
The non-thesis option emphasizes course work to deepen the candidate’s foundation in the knowledge, theory, and methods of art history. Candidates who plan careers in a visual arts related fields that do not require a Ph.D. – professional placements in galleries, museums, art organizations, arts administration, etc. -- may want to select this option.
Requirements:
*Nine of the minimum 30 required credit hours may be taken in related areas such as anthropology, historic preservation, history, literature, philosophy, studio art, or women’s studies.
** The foreign language competency requirement may be satisfied by any of the means established by the Graduate School.
Foreign Language Requirement
Master’s candidates in Art History must offer course work or substantial proof of ability to use more than one foreign language. This may be done in several ways.
Establishing a Graduate Committee
Students who have completed one or two semesters of course work should consult with an advisor and DGS to establish a Graduate (or Advisory) Committee.
This committee must consist of three or more qualified members, of which at least one must be a full member of the Graduate Faculty and at least one other an associate member. Faculty who are not members of the Graduate Faculty may not chair your committee but may serve on it; normally, your advisor chairs the Graduate Committee.
This committee advises on the preparation, research, research, and writing of Master’s theses and conducts an oral or written exam on the thesis or a review of the exhibition.
Applications
Apply for admission by completing the application online provided by The Graduate School.
Contacts
For more information about the graduate program in Art History, please contact the current Art History Graduate Advisor, Dr. Jane Peters (859.257.1716).
For more information about Art History at UK, visit the Art History Events & Activities UK website.