Program Overview

Introduction to the Art History Ph.D Program

The Art History Ph.D program at Queen's University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of art history. The program is structured to allow students to complete their degree in four years.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the Art History Ph.D program are set according to the general requirements for degree programs specified in the Graduate Calendar. Students are required to complete three term-length courses at the 800 level, one of which must be outside the candidate's special area of interest and another with their thesis supervisor. Students must then prepare for the Doctoral Field Essays to be examined in Comprehensive Exams.

Language Requirements

Students are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of languages other than English that are deemed necessary for their particular field of study. This must be demonstrated prior to the submission of the Thesis Proposal.

Schedule

The program is structured as follows:

• Year 1:
  • 3 half courses at the 800-level (2 in one term, 1 in the other)
  • Pass any needed language requirements
  • Establish topics for the Doctoral Field Essays by the end of the Winter term
  • Read for Doctoral Field Essays over the summer
• Year 2:
  • Prepare Doctoral Field Essays and study for Comprehensive Exams in the fall
  • Submit Doctoral Field Essays and take Comprehensive Examinations
  • Prepare the thesis proposal, submitted and approved by the end of the term
  • Begin dissertation research
• Year 3:
  • Dissertation research, begin writing
• Year 4:
  • Finish writing and defend the thesis

Courses

Students normally register in two art history seminars each term, in addition to any language courses that may be needed. The selection of courses is made in consultation with the supervisor or Graduate Coordinator. Requirements include:

• Completion of the three required term-length courses at the 800-level
• The Field Essays consisting of ARTH 904 and ARTH 905
• The Research Seminar (ARTH 908)

Thesis

After successfully passing the Comprehensive Examinations, students register in ARTH 908 (Research Seminar) directed by their thesis supervisor(s) and read in the area of their thesis research to define a topic. The student then submits a Thesis Proposal to the Art History Graduate Committee. Proposals are normally presented at the end of the term following completion of the comprehensive Field Essays.

Funding

The School of Graduate Studies and Research at Queen's University offers graduate students four years of guaranteed funding. The funding package may be comprised of Queen's Graduate Awards, Teaching Assistantships, and named internal fellowships. Upper-year Ph.D. students may be awarded a teaching fellowship. Students are urged to seek outside funding, and those with at least an 80% overall average must apply for SSHRCC or OGS to qualify for Queen's funding after their first year. Several Bader Fellowships for doctoral research in Europe may be awarded annually to students who have completed coursework and language requirements, successfully completed their Comprehensive Exams, and had Thesis Proposals approved.