History of Art and Architecture Graduate Programs

Our graduate programs emphasize both breadth and depth and are characterized by close working relationships between students and faculty. Our graduate students have gone on to prominent careers in teaching, the museum world, commercial galleries, and art law. With faculty who are leading authorities in their respective fields, the department prides itself on the very high quality of the student experience at all levels.

Joyce Cheng's class visits the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

The Department of the History of Art and Architecture (HA&A) is home to a rich variety of faculty research interests in the history, theory and criticism of visual and material culture from antiquity to the present day. HA&A is especially well-known for its focus on the art and architecture of the Pacific Rim—the Americas and East Asia in particular—as well as the Mediterranean world. In addition to these regional foci, the department currently has faculty research clusters in urbanism and architecture; modern and contemporary art; and museum, curatorial, and exhibition studies.


Graduate Degrees Offered

The Department of the History of Art and Architecture offers a doctoral program (PhD), a master of arts (MA) program, and an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in museum studies. The department's free-standing MA program awards a terminal master’s degree. A separate application is required for admission to the PhD program.

Students may apply and be admitted to the PhD program with or without having already completed a master’s degree. Students entering the PhD program with an MA already in hand may petition to waive some coursework requirements to more quickly progress through the PhD curriculum.


Funding

The Department of the History of Art and Architecture now offers fully funded PhD fellowships for competitive candidates. In addition, students focusing on architectural history are eligible for the Marion Dean Ross Fellowship. Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies for further details.


Career Resources

Departmental Resources

The Department of the History of Art & Architecture provides a wealth of career resources. Students can arrange for mock interviews and job talks. Together with the Art History Association, the department hosts roundtables and workshops aimed at a variety of career tracks in the arts.

University Resources

The University’s Career Center office offers scheduled appointments; walk-in hours; workshops; samples of cover letters, curricula vitae, and résumés to download; and a list of useful publications for graduate students seeking both academic and non-academic positions. The Graduate School offers professional development opportunities focused on helping graduate students advance their careers. With events ranging from career fairs and information sessions to preparatory workshops, they support a wide range of career paths. In addition, the Center for Teaching and Learning provides pedagogical workshops, training, and resources for graduate students, postdocs, and faculty.


Visit Us

We look forward to meeting students interested in our graduate degree programs.


Apply Now

Applications to the graduate program are considered once a year for the following fall term. Applications and supporting documents must be received by December 15.