Revision of the Art History graduate program description for the 2008 Graduate Bulletin - no curricular changes
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.
Admission requirements
Experience suggests that applicants from a wide variety of educational backgrounds may earn a MA degree in Art History. It is recommended that those without an undergraduate art history major consult with the Art History graduate advisor before applying. Depending on one’s prior preparation, some students may be required to take selected preparatory courses that will not count toward the graduate degree requirements.
Application Procedures and Deadlines
The Graduate School, which is the administrative unit for all graduate students, and the Art History graduate program, which is responsible for the academic curriculum, require different application materials.
Application for admission to the Graduate School requires:
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• completed application form for the Graduate School (on-line application form available at www.gradschool.uky.edu).
• one official transcript sent by each institution of study previously attended.
• official GRE scores.
• application fee.
Application materials for the Art History graduate program should be sent to the Graduate Advisor for Art History (Art Department, 207 Fine Arts Bldg., University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0022), and include:
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• brief résumé.
• personal statement which explains your interest in art history graduate study, experience, and plans.
• sample of research, such as an undergraduate research paper.
• one official transcript sent by each institution of study previously attended.
• two letters of recommendation.
The application deadline for those wishing to be considered for a teaching assistantship in Art History is February 1. Please include an additional letter indicating your interest and credentials for an assistantship with your other program application materials to the Graduate Advisor at the address given above. All other application dossiers must be complete no later than May 1. Applications are reviewed in the spring semester for fall admission.
Degree Requirements
Plan A – Thesis Option: Candidates who plan to continue study at the doctoral level should select Plan A. This option emphasizes art historical research, problem solving, and communication skills.
Requirements:
- 1) minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate course work.*
- 2) foreign language reading competency in German and one other language (French often recommended). **
- 3) satisfactory completion and oral defense of a thesis.
* Six 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.
Plan B – Non-thesis Option: Plan B emphasizes course work to deepen the candidate’s foundation in art historical knowledge, theory, and methods. Candidates who plan careers in visual arts 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:
- 1) minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate course work.*
- 2) foreign language reading competency in German and one other language.**
- 3) satisfactory completion of final comprehensive exam.
* 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.