Program Overview

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Graduate Program

The Department of Art History offers a graduate program that explores cultural, formal, and theoretical concerns central to the visual arts. Incoming classes are kept small to ensure a close working relationship between students and professors. A particular strength of the program is the faculty's range of research interests. Academic concentrations include the art and architecture of:

• ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, East Asia, and the Americas
  • medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Europe
  • modern and contemporary art and architecture in Europe, the United States, and Africa

Through the department's close relationship with programs in Classics, African-American studies, African studies, women's studies, film studies, history, and comparative literature, students can readily incorporate an interdisciplinary focus into their coursework and research. The program emphasizes both broad education in the history of art and highly developed specialization. Students have the opportunity to develop teaching skills through the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity (TATTO) program. Every incoming student is awarded financial support which covers tuition and provides a stipend for five years (subject to annual review).

Graduate Admissions

In addition to the requirements listed on the Admissions page of the Laney Graduate School, the Art History Department requires a writing sample of approximately 20 pages and TOEFL or IELTS results, if applicable.

Graduate Program Details

• Graduate Program Requirements
• Fields of Study
• Fellowships and Opportunities
• The Mellon Graduate Fellowship
• Graduate Course Schedules
• Graduate Program Alumni

Graduate Program Structure

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the history of art, as well as specialized training in their area of interest. The faculty's range of research interests and the department's close relationship with other programs allow for a highly interdisciplinary approach to the study of art history.

Financial Support

Every incoming student is awarded financial support which covers tuition and provides a stipend for five years (subject to annual review). This support is intended to allow students to focus on their studies and research without financial burden.

Teaching Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to develop teaching skills through the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity (TATTO) program. This program provides students with hands-on experience in teaching and allows them to develop their skills in a supportive environment.

Interdisciplinary Focus

The program's close relationship with other departments and programs allows students to incorporate an interdisciplinary focus into their coursework and research. This can include studies in Classics, African-American studies, African studies, women's studies, film studies, history, and comparative literature, among others.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications for the Art History graduate program for Fall 2026 is January 1, 2026.