COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Art History offers a detailed and academically rigorous structure that combines strong research training with flexible career-oriented pathways, beginning with admissions requirements that, in addition to general graduate school criteria, require a writing sample and strongly recommend a CV or résumé, while applicants to the museum studies (non-thesis) track must also meet requirements for the Museum Studies Certificate Program, ensuring readiness for both academic and applied learning environments. Once admitted, students choose between two study plans, each requiring 30 total credit hours, with Plan 1 (Thesis Option) focusing on research through 24 hours of coursework including core classes like ARH 550 and ARH 552, along with electives across diverse areas such as Medieval, Renaissance, Modern, American, and Asian art, followed by 6 hours of thesis research culminating in a written thesis and oral defense, while Plan 2 (Museum Studies Option) integrates coursework with professional training through museum-focused courses like Museum Studies, an internship (MUSM 500), and a capstone paper and presentation based on practical experience. Both plans require students to complete coursework covering Western and non-Western art, study periods before and after 1700 CE, and pass a foreign language reading proficiency test, typically in French or German, reflecting the program’s scholarly depth. Students may transfer up to 12 credit hours (with additional allowances due to the joint structure with University of Alabama at Birmingham), and high-achieving undergraduates can apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) to begin graduate work early. All students must complete a comprehensive final assessment, either a thesis defense or capstone presentation, and adhere to a strict six-year completion limit, while regular faculty reviews ensure steady academic progress and alignment with professional goals, making the program both intellectually demanding and professionally valuable for careers in academia, museums, and cultural institutions.