Program Overview

---

Introduction to the MA in Art History Program

The Master's Degree in Art History and Visual Studies is a competitive, funded, two-year program of study that provides students with broad knowledge of the fields of art history, visual studies, and material culture. In addition to coursework, MA students complete a scholarly thesis project in which they develop a specific research focus among the visual cultures of East Asia, the Islamic world, medieval Europe and Byzantium; Early Modern Europe (Renaissance and Baroque); or Modern and Contemporary (18th to 21st centuries).

Program Information

Overview

The MA in Art History and Visual Studies is a 30-credit hour program that includes 24 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in art history or related disciplines, plus 6 credit hours of Thesis Research. The curriculum is oriented towards interdisciplinary global perspectives.

Career Opportunities

With an MA degree in Art History, students can pursue a range of careers in the arts and culture sectors, including museums, galleries, libraries, and other civic and non-profit organizations, or undertake further graduate study in an academic or professional program.

Application Procedure

The Art History Program welcomes applicants with an outstanding scholastic record. We expect that you will have a BA degree in Art History or a cognate discipline suitable to the study of art history and visual culture and a sincere commitment to the demands of graduate study.

• Application deadline: February 1, 2026
• Required supplementary materials:
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Curriculum vitae (résumé)
  • Academic writing sample
  • Two letters of recommendation

Funding

The Department of Art & Art History offers a limited number of Teaching Assistantships (TAs) for incoming and continuing students that include full tuition waivers, stipends, and benefits through the Tuition Benefit Program. Additional funding for MA research and conference travel is available from the Department’s Etta Keith Eskridge Travel Awards.

Program Requirements and Policies

Coursework

The MA degree in Art History is comprised of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including 24 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in art history or related disciplines, plus 6 credit hours of Thesis Research.

• Overall requirements:
  • 24 credit hours of graduate-level coursework
  • 6 credit hours of Thesis Research
• Model calendar of graduate study:
  • Semester 1: ARTH 6800, ARTH 6810, ARTH 6030-6080
  • Semester 2: ARTH 6810, ARTH 6030-6080, 6000-level course
  • Semester 3: 6000-level course, ARTH 6970
  • Semester 4: 6000-level course, ARTH 6970

Supervisory Committee

Towards the end of the first semester and no later than Spring Break, you should discuss with your advisor possible topics for your MA research and form a three-member supervisory committee.

• Committee composition:
  • Two members from University of Utah full-time Art History Program faculty
  • One member from another department (optional)
• Committee responsibilities:
  • Helping you shape an effective course of study
  • Assessing and approving your qualifying paper
  • Reading and approving your MA research
  • Administering the final MA research defense

Language Requirement

You must show standard proficiency in at least one foreign language approved by your supervisory committee.

• Proficiency certification:
  • Should take place in the second semester of graduate work
  • Assumes a reading-comprehension level expected of a student who has completed one year of college foreign-language instruction or the equivalent

Qualifying Paper

You must submit a qualifying paper to your supervisory committee by August 15th.

• Qualifying paper requirements:
  • Demonstrates competency in graduate-level art historical research and critical writing
  • Initially approved by your advisor
  • Submitted to your committee by August 15th

Admission to Candidacy

Once your supervisory committee has approved your qualifying paper, you will be admitted to candidacy for the Master's Degree.

• Requirements for admission to candidacy:
  • Approved qualifying paper
  • Completed Program of Study
  • Completed Report of Comprehensive Examination (Qualifying Paper)
  • Completed Application for Candidacy

Prospectus

After advancing to candidacy, you must present a brief (3-5 page) prospectus to your Supervisory Committee for approval.

• Prospectus requirements:
  • Identifies the MA research topic
  • Outlines the scope of the project
  • Specifies the research to be undertaken
  • Includes a preliminary bibliography

Travel Awards

The Art History and Visual Studies Program offers a limited number of Etta Keith Eskridge Travel Awards for graduate student research.

• Award requirements:
  • Intended for students whose research and MA thesis projects will directly benefit from research-related travel
  • Maximum award amounts: $700 for domestic travel, $1300 for international travel

Thesis Project Requirement

MA candidates must complete a thesis project on an approved, specialized topic appropriate to the field of Art History.

• Thesis project requirements:
  • Demonstrates independent research
  • Typically consists of a written report on a focused topic related to the study of artifacts and/or visual media
  • Can take different forms (e.g., traditional scholarly research paper, museological object file, exhibition prospectus)

Dismissal Policy

All graduate students are expected to maintain standards of professional and ethical conduct.

• Grounds for dismissal:
  • Gross professional, legal, and/or ethical misconduct
  • Failure to effectively amend deficiencies in work or conduct within 45 days of notification

Minimum Registration

You must maintain minimum registration (Fall and Spring) of one course per semester until you complete all requirements for the MA in Art History.

• Registration requirements:
  • Minimum of one course per semester
  • Minimum of 9 credit hours during each semester for teaching and research assistants

Graduate School Policies

For all Graduate School policies, please refer to the Graduate School’s Navigating Graduate School and Graduate Policy pages.

• Policies:
  • Family Leave
  • Masters Programs Calendars and Deadlines
  • Minimum Registration
  • Dismissal Policy

Safety and Wellness

See the SafeU website for all safety-related information, reporting, and support resources, training, and more at the University of Utah.

Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Statement

The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106.