Program Overview

History of Art, PhD

The graduate program in History of Art is designed to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the history of art and a deep understanding of the theories and approaches pertaining to art historical research. The program emphasizes collaborative working relationships among students and faculty in seminars. Each PhD student benefits from supervision by a primary advisor in their field of study, while continuing to work closely with other department faculty.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Ph.D. program in History of Art should upload and submit all required application materials and supporting documents through the online application. Applications must be completed by December 15. The department strictly limits the number of students it admits each year to foster close student-faculty relationships and provide for the greatest flexibility in developing each graduate student's individual curriculum.

Financial Aid

All graduate students entering the program are guaranteed five years of support, contingent upon satisfactory progress year by year. This support covers the individuals full tuition costs and health insurance, and includes a stipend annually. ABD students are strongly encouraged to apply for external grants and fellowships to support their dissertation research and writing.

PhD Requirements

In discussion with major and minor field advisors, History of Art Ph.D. students develop areas of concentration and courses of study to suit their intellectual interests and commitments. Students are encouraged to explore course offerings in other departments, in consultation with their principal advisor or the DGS. All students entering the Ph.D. program must complete four full semesters of coursework and pass the required language exams before being approved to take their qualifying exams.

• Four full semesters of coursework
• Passing the required language exams
• Qualifying exams (two written exams and an oral defense)
• Dissertation proposal
• Dissertation research and writing
• Successful defense of the dissertation

Art History Fields

The department offers expertise in various art history fields, including:

• Ancient art
• Medieval art
• Early Modern and Renaissance art
• Modern art

Ancient Art

The department affords students of ancient art the opportunity to work with a faculty that includes experts in Greek, Roman, Mediterranean, Ancient Near Eastern, and Ancient Americas art and architecture. Facilities of special relevance to students of ancient art include the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum and the extraordinary holdings of the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Medieval Art

The department has given special emphasis to the study of medieval art, with expertise in Early Medieval, Gothic, Islamic, Italian, German, and Mediterranean art and architecture. Students also avail themselves of local expertise through the departments of History, English, and Modern Languages and Literatures.

Early Modern and Renaissance Art

The department's program in the Early Modern period encompasses the art, architecture, and culture of Italy, Northern Europe, and the Islamic world from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century. Graduate students in these areas participate in the programs of the Charles Singleton Center for the Study of Pre-Modern Europe.

Modern Art

A diverse and challenging curriculum in modern art and criticism is offered by a research faculty of international prominence, supplemented by occasional visiting scholars and museum curators. Students oriented toward the study of criticism and aesthetic theory can also broaden their perspective and develop their critical skills by taking courses offered through various departments.

Career Opportunities

Recent PhD students have gone on to academic, administrative, and museum positions at institutions around the world, including Aarhus University, American University of Paris, Arcadia University, Baylor University, Columbia University, Dallas Museum of Art, DePaul University, Florida State University, Getty Research Institute, Howard University, Kings College London, Marshall University, National Museum of Denmark, Notre Dame University of Maryland, Oberlin College, Portland State University, University of Chicago, University of Pittsburgh, University of San Francisco, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Wellesley College.