Programs

The faculty in art history offers degree programs leading to the master of arts (M.A.) and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The M.A. is designed to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive knowledge of the major fields of Western art, sub-Saharan African art, East Asian art, Islamic art, and the art of the Americas. The Ph.D. program, in addition, allows for specialization in one of the major fields. The faculty also offers an M.A. track in Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (CHAPS), which can be pursued independently or as part of the Ph.D. degree. Two certificate programs, in curatorial studies and in cultural heritage/historic preservation, are available to M.A. and Ph.D. students.

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. For the M.A. track in Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies, which is multidisciplinary in focus, applicants with a strong interest or experience in preservation issues from disciplines other than art history are encouraged to apply.

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 two foreign languages (in certain fields, German will be required). One proficiency examination must be taken by the second semester 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 historic preservation. Requirements include 10 courses (30 credits), one foreign language, master's essay, and a comprehensive examination. The M.A. track in Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies is a 30-credit program that combines coursework with supervised internships. Requirements include a master's thesis, examination, and 6 credits of internship/field study. A dual-degree program is offered jointly by Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (CHAPS) and Rutgers University School of Law-Newark. A four-year course of study, this program leads to the M.A. in art history with a specialty in Cultural Heritage Preservation and to the juris doctor (MA./J.D.).  The law school will accept 9 credits from the M.A. program and CHAPS will accept 12 credits from the law school. Students are accepted independently for both graduate professional programs after separate application to each. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) will be accepted in place of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 

The curatorial studies certificate, which is awarded separately, requires one course in curatorial training and at least one exhibition seminar, for which students earn 3 credits per course toward their degree. In addition, students take three curatorial internships. Students in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are eligible to pursue a curatorial studies certificate.

The certificate in cultural heritage/historic preservation, under the auspices of CHAPS, is also awarded separately, and requires two core courses, two elective courses, and an approved internship. 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.