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History of Art and Archaeology (MA)
نظرة عامة على البرنامج
History of Art and Archaeology (MA)
The MA Program in the History of Art and Archaeology at the Institute of Fine Arts is designed for students who want to study the history and role of the visual arts in culture and society through detailed, object-based examination, historical analysis, and critical interpretation. This degree program is constituted as a broad learning experience supported by numerous opportunities for intellectual inquiry, guided by leading scholars, and enhanced by access to New York area museums, curators, and conservators, archaeological sites, and NYU's global network.
Program Description
The Institute's MA in the History of Art and Archaeology is intended for students with a developed interest in the visual arts who wish to earn an advanced degree without the commitment to a multi-year doctoral program. The MA degree will prove useful for students interested in careers in art museums, galleries, auction houses, cultural centers, arts foundations, archaeological site management and development, art conservation, or eventual doctoral work in art history or archaeology.
Program Structure
The program is two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study for those with established professional careers who wish to continue working while attending the Institute. For part-time study, each student devises a course of study together with the Director of Masters Studies; a typical course load for part-time students would be two courses per semester for the first two years, and one course per semester in the final year of study.
Admissions
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:
- Academic Transcripts
- Test Scores (if required)
- Applicant Statements
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of Recommendation
- A non-refundable application fee
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 40 credits, comprised of the following:
- Required Courses: 8 credits
- FINH-GA 2046: Lecture: (Foundations I course)
- FINH-GA 2045: Lecture in Conservation for Art Historians (Foundations II course)
- Distribution Requirement: 16 credits
- Complete four courses in different major areas. Two courses must be classroom seminars.
- Elective Courses: 12 credits
- 3 courses in Lecture/Seminars/Colloquia
- Other Elective Credits: 4 credits
- Total Credits: 40 credits
Distribution Areas
- Pre-modern Asia
- Pre-modern Africa and the Middle East
- The Ancient Mediterranean and Middle East, including Egypt
- Pre-modern Europe and the Americas
- Post-1750 Global
- Museum and Curatorial Studies
- Material Studies of Works of Art
- Architectural History
Additional Program Requirements
Language Requirement
Students are required to pass a language examination in French, German, or Italian. Other languages will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the Academic Office.
Master's Thesis
A master's thesis is required. The thesis will be of substantial length (9,000 words) and should provide a comprehensive treatment of a problem in scholarship, competently written, and may be of publishable quality.
Sample Plan of Study
A sample plan of study is provided to guide students through the program: 1st Semester/Term:
- FINH-GA 2046: Lecture: (Foundations I course)
- Elective (Seminar/Colloquium)
- Elective (Seminar/Colloquium)
- FINH-GA 1000: French Language Instruction (option to sit for exam) 2nd Semester/Term:
- FINH-GA 2045: Lecture: (Foundations II course)
- Elective: (Seminar/Colloquium)
- Elective: (Seminar/Colloquium)
- FINH-GA 1002: German Language Instruction (option to sit for exam) 3rd Semester/Term:
- Elective: (Seminar/Colloquium)
- Elective: (Seminar/Colloquium)
- Elective: (Seminar/Colloquium) 4th Semester/Term:
- Elective: (Seminar/Colloquium)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Critically investigate the role of the visual arts in culture through object-based examination as well as historical and theoretical interpretation.
- Effectively communicate original, independent research and interpretations of secondary material through written and oral presentation.
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of critical issues in the field of art history or archaeology through the composition of an essay on a single topic.
Policies
University-wide policies and Graduate School of Arts and Science policies are available on the respective policy pages.
