Program Overview

Program Overview

The Art History PhD program at Temple University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of art history. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits beyond the master's degree or 60 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree.

General Program Requirements

• Number of Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 30
• Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60

Required Courses

PhD for Students Entering with a Master's Degree

The plan of study includes:

• ARTH 5601: Historiography of Art History (3 credits)
• Electives (6 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 1, Fall)
• Electives (9 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 1, Spring)
• Electives (9 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 2, Fall)
• ARTH 9994: Preliminary Examination Preparation (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 2, Spring)
• Select one from the following: ARTH 9998 or ARTH 9999 (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 3, Fall)
• ARTH 9999: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 3, Spring)
• Total Credit Hours: 30

PhD for Students Entering with a Baccalaureate Degree

The plan of study includes:

• ARTH 5601: Historiography of Art History (3 credits)
• Electives (6 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 1, Fall)
• Electives (9 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 1, Spring)
• Electives (9 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 2, Fall)
• ARTH 9891: Directed Research (3 credits)
• Electives (6 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 2, Spring)
• Electives (9 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 9 (Year 3, Fall)
• ARTH 9994: Preliminary Examination Preparation (6 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 6 (Year 3, Spring)
• ARTH 9998: Pre-Dissertation Research (3 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 3 (Year 4, Fall)
• ARTH 9999: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 4, Spring)
• ARTH 9999: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 5, Fall)
• ARTH 9999: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 5, Spring)
• ARTH 9999: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 6, Fall)
• ARTH 9999: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 6, Spring)
• ARTH 9999: Dissertation Research (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 1 (Year 7, Fall)
• Total Credit Hours: 60

Language Examination

Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of two foreign languages necessary to complete research in the given field. The language examinations are taken with the permission of the student's primary advisor.

Culminating Events

• Qualifying Paper: Required for students entering the program with a bachelor's degree, the qualifying paper demonstrates command of scholarly research and writing.
• Doctoral Examinations: Consist of two written exams and an accompanying oral examination to demonstrate critical knowledge of current research and historiography in the student's primary field of interest.
• Dissertation Proposal: Demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research, and must be approved by the Department's Graduate Faculty.
• Dissertation: An extended written study that shows evidence of the candidate's original thought and research, making a contribution to the field of Art History.