Programs

The faculty in art history offers degree programs leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the major fields of Western art, sub-Saharan African art, and East Asian art. The faculty also offers programs leading to a certificate in curatorial studies and in historical preservation. Both degree programs are designed to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive knowledge of the major historical periods. The Ph.D. program, in addition, allows for specialization in one of the major fields.

Applicants should have a strong liberal arts background, with a minimum of six art history courses as prerequisite for admission. Students may be asked to make up deficiencies prior to or in the first year of the graduate curriculum by taking undergraduate courses for graduate credit, auditing undergraduate classes, or through supervised readings. Although not a prerequisite, reading proficiency in one foreign language must be demonstrated within the first year of the program.

Requirements for the Ph.D. include 14 courses, worth 48 credits; a qualifying examination in one of the major art historical periods; and acceptance of the dissertation. In addition, students must have a reading knowledge of German and one other foreign language. One proficiency examination must be taken by the second term of study. After the student completes eight courses, the faculty will review his or her work to determine if the student will be allowed to continue for the Ph.D.

The M.A. program is designed for those who do not plan to pursue the Ph.D. and for those pursuing the certificate in curatorial studies or the certificate in historical preservation. Requirements include 10 courses (30 credits), one foreign language, a master's essay, and a comprehensive examination.

The curatorial studies certificate, which is awarded separately, requires one course in curatorial training and three curatorial internships (12 E credits total). Students must take at least one exhibition seminar, for which they earn 3 credits toward their degree. Students in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are eligible to pursue a curatorial studies certificate.

Similarly, students in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are eligible to pursue a certificate in historic preservation, which is also awarded separately, and requires two core courses, two elective courses, and an approved internship (15 E credits total). Electives are chosen from an approved list.

There are no residence requirements for either degree program. Students who have earned an M.A. degree elsewhere are welcome to apply for admission to the Ph.D. program. The curriculum is flexible and allows students to explore interests in such areas as African studies, American studies, Asian studies, classics, archaeology, gender studies, medieval studies, renaissance studies, baroque studies, Russian and Slavic studies, and theory and criticism.

Further information on program requirements may be obtained from the art history graduate office in Voorhees Hall or online at http://arthistory.rutgers.edu.