Program Overview

Master's in Art History Program

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the Master's in Art History Program are set according to the general Requirements for Degree Programs specified in the Graduate Calendar. There are two options to complete the program:

• Option A (Pattern I):
  • Four term-length courses in art history (of which, if appropriate, one term-length course may be taken in another discipline)
  • A Master's Thesis of 20-25,000 words, which can follow a traditional format, or manuscript, project, or portfolio format
• Option B (Pattern II):
  • Six term-length courses in art history (of which, if appropriate, one term-length course may be taken in another discipline)
  • A Major Research Paper of 10-12,000 words

The decision on which option the student shall follow is made in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and approved by the Art History Graduate Committee, normally at the end of the second term of study in the program.

Research

Option A (Pattern I): Master's Thesis

• Students will choose a potential supervisor for a thesis topic and notify the Graduate Coordinator in Art History
• After preliminary research, a Thesis Proposal shall be approved by the Art History Graduate Committee before preparation of the thesis can begin
• Students preparing the Master's thesis register in ARTH 899 and must obtain the electronic publication "General Form of Theses" from the School of Graduate Studies
• The thesis is submitted in electronic format and sent to be bound, and the student may graduate at the next convocation

Option B (Pattern II): Major Research Paper

• The student shall choose a potential supervisor for the research paper topic and notify the Graduate Coordinator in Art History
• After preliminary research, a Research Paper Proposal shall be approved by the Art History Graduate Committee before preparation of the paper begins
• Once the supervisor and candidate are satisfied that the research paper is complete, it shall be submitted to the Art History Graduate Committee, which shall select two readers
• Once it has been passed and any required changes made, the research paper is sent to be bound, and the student may graduate at the next convocation

Schedule

• Option A (Pattern I), normally 18-24 months:
  • Year 1: 4 half courses, choose a topic for the thesis, and submit a thesis proposal by the end of the Winter term
  • Year 2: Finish researching and writing the thesis, and defend the thesis by the end of the Winter term
• Option B (Pattern II), normally 16-18 months:
  • Year 1: 4 half courses, choose a topic for the Major Research Paper, and submit a proposal by the end of the Winter term
  • Year 2: 2 half courses, and submit the Major Research Paper by the end of the Winter term

Courses

• Courses should be chosen in consultation with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Art History and the instructors concerned
• Students normally register in two art history seminars each term, one of which should be taken with their proposed supervisor, in addition to any language courses that may be needed
• A complete list of the graduate courses offered in Art History can be found in the Graduate Calendar

Funding

• All applicants to the program with an "A" average (80% minimum) in their last two years automatically compete for named Queen's University Graduate Fellowships
• Queen's Graduate Awards and Teaching Assistantships are used to ensure M.A. students up to two years of competitive support
• Employment as teaching assistants also helps to familiarize students with the skills and duties of a teaching career
• The Joseph S. Stauffer Foundation Scholarship is available to a student entering the second year of the Master's program who intends to write a thesis on a topic in Canadian art or architecture
• Students with at least an 80% average must seek outside funding and must apply for SSHRCC and OGS awards in order to qualify for a second year of funding at Queen's
• Teaching assistantships may be awarded