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Home › Prospective Students › Degrees › M.A. – Art History

M.A. – Art History

The Master of Arts in Art History provides a broad based and methodologically critical foundation essential to pursuing a career in Art History, whether in a university or museum setting. The Art History faculty offers an extensive range of specialties, theoretical approaches, and methodologies. Students are encouraged to develop diverse critical methods and originality of thought as well as a thorough knowledge of the history of art. Graduate students may take advantage of course offerings in related departments such as Architectural History, History, Classics, Anthropology, Media Arts, Women’s Studies, Religious Studies, and English, among others. In addition, they may participate in the activities of the African-American Studies Program, the American Indian Studies Program, the Southwest Institute for Research on Women, the Latin American Area Center, the University of Arizona Medieval, Renaissance, and Reformation Committee, and the Group for Early Modern Studies Graduate Certificate Program.

THE MASTERS OF ARTS IN ART HISTORY CONSISTS OF TWO OPTIONS:

Option A

The thesis track is typically taken by those who are interested in continuing for a PhD or pursuing an advanced teaching career in Art History through stressing scholarly research skills.

Option B

The non-thesis with comprehensive oral examination track emphasizes breadth of knowledge and practical training for teaching at the community college level, and is typically for students interested in working in art museum education, galleries and other commercial visual arts enterprises.

SUBJECT AREAS

The course requirements are designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop a depth of knowledge in a major field, while also acquiring a breadth of knowledge about the history of art in general. MA students are strongly encouraged to take a range of courses from several different professors. The major field should be chosen with the assistance of the major advisor. Some of the criteria for limiting the major area might include geographic, chronological, medium, or methodological considerations. Courses are available in the Art History Division, as well as in other departments on campus.

Subject Areas within Art History:

  • American
  • Ancient
  • Architectural History
  • Contemporary Art and Theory
  • Latin American
  • Modern
  • Museum Studies (Certificate Program)
  • History of Photography

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

30 units are required to complete the Master of Arts in Art History degree.

Please see the Graduate Advising page, and the Art History Graduate Handbook for specific program requirements.

Program RequirementDescriptionRequired Number of Units
MethodsARH 511A or ARH 511B3 units
Major Field4 ARH courses in major field. One of these courses may be taken in a substantially different discipline, outside the School of Art12 units
Electives4 electives in art history to provide breadth12 units
Thesis or Oral ExamARH 909 or ARH 9103 units
SeminarsAt least 3 seminars in the coursework in addition to Methods are required.

Please see the Graduate Advising page, and the Studio Art Graduate Handbook for specific program requirements.

ACCELERATED MASTER’S DEGREE (UA uNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY)

The Accelerated Master of Arts in Art History provides an opportunity for high-achieving University of Arizona undergraduate students in the a BA in Art History or a BA in Studio Art to use 12 units of graduate coursework towards both their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, giving students the possibility to receive both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in 5 years. This program is intended both for students interested in enhancing their qualifications for careers in galleries, libraries, archives and museums, as well as for students interested in admission to other graduate programs (such as Library and Information Science, Conservation, and Arts Administration). Accelerated Master of Arts students must have an excellent academic record and the ability to balance their coursework in a face-paced program. Students will typically be invited by their art history professor to apply to the program.

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Degrees

  • B.A. – Art History
  • B.A. – Studio Art
  • B.A. – Design Arts & Practices
  • B.F.A. – Art & Visual Culture Education
  • B.F.A. – Studio Art
  • Minors in Art
  • M.A. – Art & Visual Culture Education
  • M.A. – Art History
  • Master of Fine Arts in Art
  • Ph.D. – Art & Visual Culture Education
  • Ph.D. – Art History
  • Museum Studies Certificate Program

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Max M. Jackson Coordinator, Recruiting - Admissions and Enrollment
maxj@arizona.edu Slonaker House, Room 203
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Melanie J Marsh Program Assistant
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520-626-1194
Kimberly Moore Financial Aid Professional II
kmoore657@arizona.edu Slonaker House, Room 201
520-276-5935
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Lindsay Clark Coordinator, Student and Alumni Engagement
linds@arizona.edu Slonaker House, Room 201
520-621-9430

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University of Arizona School of Art
4 weeks ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are over the moon 🌙 to welcome Emily Miu as a first year student this fall!

At first, Emily's path to college was blocked by barriers that were steering her away from what she wants to explore and she considered not attending at all.

That changed after attending the Visions program offered by Scottsdale Arts. Through this program, Emily had the opportunity to work with professional artists and visited us for a workshop.

Through our partnership with Visions, we were able to offer Emily scholarships so she can start her journey as a Wildcat this August! Her parents were misty eyed at the Visions '22 opening reception, saying that she would likely not have attended college at all, if not for Visions and the School of Art!

"The scholarship opportunities I gained from this program made me change my major in college and goals for my academic future" - Emily Miu

Congratulations and welcome!
... See MoreSee Less

We are over the moon 🌙 to welcome Emily Miu as a first year student this fall!

At first, Emilys path to college was blocked by barriers that were steering her away from what she wants to explore and she considered not attending at all.

That changed after attending the Visions program offered by Scottsdale Arts. Through this program, Emily had the opportunity to work with professional artists and visited us for a workshop.

Through our partnership with Visions, we were able to offer Emily scholarships so she can start her journey as a Wildcat this August! Her parents were misty eyed at the Visions 22 opening reception, saying that she would likely not have attended college at all, if not for Visions and the School of Art!

The scholarship opportunities I gained from this program made me change my major in college and goals for my academic future - Emily Miu

Congratulations and welcome!
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University of Arizona School of Art
1 month ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are looking for models for our fall courses!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/9951?c=arizona
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Model (On Call) (Part Time)

arizona.csod.com

Model for Art classes as scheduled/needed involving drawing from the figure.Applicants must be willing to pose partially clothed and nude for the dura...
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University of Arizona School of Art with Arizona Arts at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We're so proud of all of our 2022 graduates! This one holds a special spot in our hearts. ❤️

Lauren Paun is graduating with her BFA in Art & Visual Culture Education (emphasis on Community and Museums) and 3D Art. She has been a student employee in the School of Art for two years, working with our social media accounts. You might have talked to her about being featured here! Lauren has been an integral part of our team, doing a lot of heavy lifting to find the fabulous work y'all are creating and sharing it here.

"I would just like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have had such an incredible position within the School of Art; I loved supporting and promoting the amazing artists that attend this school and feel so lucky to be able to learn and create beside them. I have loved every minute working here for the past two years and we'll miss it terribly-- but I am so excited to continue my journey and pursue my career in museums. A special thank you to my friends, family, professors, and supervisors for the constant love and support!!"

We could fill encyclopedias with praise for Lauren but hopefully this small note of gratitude can be enough. Good luck!! 🥺😭
... See MoreSee Less

Were so proud of all of our 2022 graduates! This one holds a special spot in our hearts. ❤️

Lauren Paun is graduating with her BFA in Art & Visual Culture Education (emphasis on Community and Museums) and 3D Art. She has been a student employee in the School of Art for two years, working with our social media accounts. You might have talked to her about being featured here! Lauren has been an integral part of our team, doing a lot of heavy lifting to find the fabulous work yall are creating and sharing it here. 

I would just like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have had such an incredible position within the School of Art; I loved supporting and promoting the amazing artists that attend this school and feel so lucky to be able to learn and create beside them. I have loved every minute working here for the past two years and well miss it terribly-- but I am so excited to continue my journey and pursue my career in museums. A special thank you to my friends, family, professors, and supervisors for the constant love and support!!

We could fill encyclopedias with praise for Lauren but hopefully this small note of gratitude can be enough. Good luck!! 🥺😭Image attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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Congrats, Lauren!! 🙌💐

Congratulations on a job well done. 👏Very proud of you and your accomplishments.

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University of Arizona School of Art with Arizona Arts at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

Graduation celebrations continue! Let's hear it for one of our newest PhDs, Kasey Stuart! 🎓

"I'm Kasey Stuart and I am graduating with my PhD in Art History and Education. My research explores and questions preservice teachers' reliance upon social media as a resource for lesson plans. Currently, I am developing a program to help art educators critically analyze and amend lesson plans found online before they have brought into K-12 classrooms."

Thank you for doing this critical work that keeps teachers relevant to their students, while also making sure they are intentional and accurate!
... See MoreSee Less

Graduation celebrations continue! Lets hear it for one of our newest PhDs, Kasey Stuart! 🎓

Im Kasey Stuart and I am graduating with my PhD in Art History and Education. My research explores and questions preservice teachers reliance upon social media as a resource for lesson plans. Currently, I am developing a program to help art educators critically analyze and amend lesson plans found online before they have brought into K-12 classrooms.

Thank you for doing this critical work that keeps teachers relevant to their students, while also making sure they are intentional and accurate!Image attachment
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Congrats to Kasey!

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University of Arizona School of Art is at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are so glad to see everyone enjoying the incredible work done by our MFA graduates in the 2022 MFA Show! Featured in the @uazmuseumofart is Venessa Ball and her intricate project titled Crosscut: Mining and domesticity, creating a life in spite of and because of the mine.

“As a mining state, Arizona is among the leading producers of copper in the United States.
These large operations required an extensive workforce, from laborers, to geologists, engineers, and company representatives. The mine would often provide housing, schoolhouses and
gathering spaces in the surrounding area, creating an entire town owned by the company itself. Like so many other small communities in America these “boomtown” economies were built on what they believed to be stable and consistent growth. Should the ore deposit run out or the company no longer have the funds to dig any deeper, what then happens to the community? What should also happen if the very commodity the mine needs to keep going just happens to be right under the ground on which they built the town? If you ask the former townspeople of Ray-Sonora, AZ… there is no more town. In 1966, their town was demolished to continue the mine operations.
Thirty years after Ray-Sonora was removed from the map, in 1996, the Magma Copper mine where my father and grandfather worked for decades—and that had provided so much stability for my family—officially closed, because it was deemed too costly to continue operations.
The only way my father could continue his career in mining was to relocate his family to another mining town. This wouldn’t be the last time this happened in my childhood. Chasing the ore was my father’s way of ensuring our family always had a stable and comfortable life.
The delicate patterns cut from family and historical photographs highlight the tension often felt by my family and so many mining families as they attempted to build a life in the shadow of a brutal and unstable industry, dependent on an unsympathetic capitalist economy.” - @venessaball
... See MoreSee Less

We are so glad to see everyone enjoying the incredible work done by our MFA graduates in the 2022 MFA Show! Featured in the @uazmuseumofart is Venessa Ball and her intricate project titled Crosscut: Mining and domesticity, creating a life in spite of and because of the mine.

“As a mining state, Arizona is among the leading producers of copper in the United States. 
These large operations required an extensive workforce, from laborers, to geologists, engineers, and company representatives. The mine would often provide housing, schoolhouses and
gathering spaces in the surrounding area, creating an entire town owned by the company itself. Like so many other small communities in America these “boomtown” economies were built on what they believed to be stable and consistent growth. Should the ore deposit run out or the company no longer have the funds to dig any deeper, what then happens to the community? What should also happen if the very commodity the mine needs to keep going just happens to be right under the ground on which they built the town? If you ask the former townspeople of Ray-Sonora, AZ… there is no more town. In 1966, their town was demolished to continue the mine operations. 
Thirty years after Ray-Sonora was removed from the map, in 1996, the Magma Copper mine where my father and grandfather worked for decades—and that had provided so much stability for my family—officially closed, because it was deemed too costly to continue operations. 
The only way my father could continue his career in mining was to relocate his family to another mining town. This wouldn’t be the last time this happened in my childhood. Chasing the ore was my father’s way of ensuring our family always had a stable and comfortable life.
The delicate patterns cut from family and historical photographs highlight the tension often felt by my family and so many mining families as they attempted to build a life in the shadow of a brutal and unstable industry, dependent on an unsympathetic capitalist economy.” - @venessaballImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
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University of Arizona School of Art is at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

“Small. Confused. And in Awe.”

In case you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, the 2022 MFA Exhibition is featuring this incredible body of work created by Florence Von Grote! The illustrations are based on treasured memories from the places Florence has lived. The little animals are stand-in protagonists inhabiting, exploring and experiencing dream-based worlds.

“Small. Confused. And in Awe. is based on memories of the places I have lived. Events, people, and places are contorted and blended together into a half-imagined/half-remembered architecture. The nod to children’s book illustration invites the viewer to blur the boundaries between animal and human, reality and imagination.” - @flovong

Featured images are:
Traveler
Progress photo
Cartographer
Gardener
Loiterer
Collector

We urge you to check out Florence’s amazing work in the @uazmuseumofart before the show ends on May 14!
... See MoreSee Less

“Small. Confused. And in Awe.” 

In case you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, the 2022 MFA Exhibition is featuring this incredible body of work created by Florence Von Grote! The illustrations are based on treasured memories from the places Florence has lived. The little animals are stand-in protagonists inhabiting, exploring and experiencing dream-based worlds. 

“Small. Confused. And in Awe. is based on memories of the places I have lived. Events, people, and places are contorted and blended together into a half-imagined/half-remembered architecture. The nod to children’s book illustration invites the viewer to blur the boundaries between animal and human, reality and imagination.” - @flovong 

Featured images are:
Traveler
Progress photo
Cartographer
Gardener
Loiterer
Collector

We urge you to check out Florence’s amazing work in the @uazmuseumofart before the show ends on May 14!Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
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  • Shares: 1
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Phone: 520.621.7570

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