Program Overview
Introduction to the PhD Program
The UC San Diego Visual Arts PhD Program offers two PhD degrees: Art History, Theory and Criticism, and Art History, Theory and Criticism with a Concentration in Art Practice. The program is designed to provide innovative research opportunities, embracing the intersection of art, media, and design practice with history, theory, and criticism.
Program Requirements
The program requirements for the PhD in Visual Arts include:
- Coursework: 72 units for students without an approved MA, and 36 units for students with an approved MA.
- Language Requirement: Competency in reading, understanding, and interpreting texts in two languages other than English is required for VA76 students, and one language for VA77 students.
- Qualifying Materials and Exams: Students must prepare two bibliographies, write a qualifying paper and a dissertation prospectus, and take written and oral examinations.
- Dissertation and Defense: Students must research and write a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their Advisor and Committee, and orally defend their dissertation.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the PhD in Visual Arts includes:
- VA76: Art History, Theory and Criticism: 18 courses, 72 units, with a general field emphasis, core requirements, and elective requirements.
- VA76 for Students Entering with Approved MA: 9 courses, 36 units, with a general field emphasis, core requirements, and elective requirements.
- VA77: Art History, Theory and Criticism - Art Practice: 18 courses, 72 units, with a general field emphasis, core requirements, and elective requirements.
Language Requirement
The language requirement for the PhD in Visual Arts can be met in one of three ways:
- Passing the department's in-house Language Exam.
- Passing one approved graduate-level language course.
- Passing two approved upper-division undergraduate language courses.
Advising Faculty
The Visual Art faculty is made up of scholars and artists working across the programs. Current PhD faculty include:
- Memo Akten
- Benjamin Bratton
- Lisa Cartwright
- Malik Gaines
- Grant Kester
- Jordan Rose
- Kuiyi Shen
- William Tronzo
- Robert Twomey
- John Welchman
- Mariana Wardwell
- Pinar Yoldas
Committee Constitution and Management
The Committee is constituted through request and consent between the student and other faculty, with the guidance and approval of the Advisor(s). The Committee must be formally appointed by Graduate Division.
Qualifying Exam and Advancement to Candidacy
The Qualifying process occurs throughout Year Three, and includes the preparation of two bibliographies, a qualifying paper, and a dissertation prospectus, as well as written and oral examinations.
Dissertation and Defense
The dissertation is a written document that observes the same regulations and conventions as VA 76, except that the length requirement is slightly shorter for VA77 students. The defense is an oral examination where the candidate responds to questions from the Committee.
Grades and Evaluations
Only courses in which a student received grades of A, B, or S are allowed toward satisfaction of the requirements for the degree. A graduate student must maintain a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (B average) to continue in good standing.
Time Limit
The duration of the PhD program is five to eight years. University and departmental regulations stipulate that the maximum tenure of graduate study at UC San Diego or Total Registered Time Limit (TRTL) is eight years.
PhD Handbook
The department website and catalog are great resources for students to learn generally about the PhD program and progress towards their degree. The full PhD Handbook provides detailed instructions and robust program information available to students throughout their academic career.