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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.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

CFA Student Services

Lindsay Clark Coordinator, Recruitment
linds@email.arizona.edu Slonaker House, Room 201
520-621-9430

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University of Arizona School of Art

6 days ago

University of Arizona School of Art

“Inside, Outside” is an impressive series of collages by School of Art student, Breanna Romero.
.
Growing up I had a slight obsession with collecting Teen Vogue publications as well as anatomy textbooks. I was always drawn to the editorials within the magazines, but also the detailed and meticulous illustrations within the textbooks. This obsession would lead to myself finding beauty within the human body, its ability to contort and take numerous forms. Created through scans of my old magazines and textbooks, I wanted to combine the similarities I found into a photo spread of my own publication that meets in-between fashion magazine and informative medical textbook.
- @icedchaiwithoatmilk
... See MoreSee Less

“Inside, Outside” is an impressive series of collages by School of Art student, Breanna Romero.
.
Growing up I had a slight obsession with collecting Teen Vogue publications as well as anatomy textbooks. I was always drawn to the editorials within the magazines, but also the detailed and meticulous illustrations within the textbooks. This obsession would lead to myself finding beauty within the human body, its ability to contort and take numerous forms. Created through scans of my old magazines and textbooks, I wanted to combine the similarities I found into a photo spread of my own publication that meets in-between fashion magazine and informative medical textbook. 
- @icedchaiwithoatmilkImage attachment
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University of Arizona School of Art

2 weeks ago

University of Arizona School of Art

This gorgeous manipulated digital photograph is titled "Triangular Melons," and is by recent @uarizonaphoto MFA Alumna, Leah Netsky!
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My work considers the growing interaction between animal and plant life, science and technology. I use physical and digital manipulation of subjects to explore the human drive to edit, define, and control the organic. I have recently been working on a series of "future fruit" which play on genetic modification in fruit production. This image imagines how melons might be designed in the future.
- @leah_netsky
... See MoreSee Less

This gorgeous manipulated digital photograph is titled Triangular Melons, and is by recent @uarizonaphoto MFA Alumna, Leah Netsky!
.
My work considers the growing interaction between animal and plant life, science and technology. I use physical and digital manipulation of subjects to explore the human drive to edit, define, and control the organic. I have recently been working on a series of future fruit which play on genetic modification in fruit production. This image imagines how melons might be designed in the future.
- @leah_netsky
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University of Arizona School of Art

2 weeks ago

University of Arizona School of Art

These beautiful photographs are from Tamrin Ingram who received her MFA from the Photography, Video and Imaging program here at the UArizona School of Art!
.
These two photographs contain the shadow of my granny.
In one she photographs her youngest daughter (my mother, now passed) on a swing set, and the shadow of mother and daughter is cast on the background. In another the same shadow of Granny is cast upon the freshly dug grave of her husband. I was struck by these self-shadow portraits of her, both photographs are quite plain yet both seem to whisper something about heartache, parenthood, and loss. In one, a wife documents the final resting place of newly dead husband, in another a mother documents her daughter just after the death of father and husband, and on the edge of it all is myself, daughter and granddaughter left with only shadows and dirt and two haunting photographs, seeing them at a time long before they ever saw me.
... See MoreSee Less

These beautiful photographs are from Tamrin Ingram who received her MFA from the Photography, Video and Imaging program here at the UArizona School of Art!
.
These two photographs contain the shadow of my granny.
In one she photographs her youngest daughter (my mother, now passed) on a swing set, and the shadow of mother and daughter is cast on the background. In another the same shadow of Granny is cast upon the freshly dug grave of her husband. I was struck by these self-shadow portraits of her, both photographs are quite plain yet both seem to whisper something about heartache, parenthood, and loss. In one, a wife documents the final resting place of newly dead husband, in another a mother documents her daughter just after the death of father and husband, and on the edge of it all is myself, daughter and granddaughter left with only shadows and dirt and two haunting photographs, seeing them at a time long before they ever saw me.
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University of Arizona School of Art

4 weeks ago

University of Arizona School of Art

This fantastic illustrative piece is called SIMPLIFY by School of Art student, Caroline Berkey!
.
“I would hope my illustrations speak more for themselves than any written statement would. I also wouldn't want to discourage any viewer from applying a personal meaning to my work, especially since the nuance of visual narrative is so special. This piece means a lot to me. I made this piece while experiencing the worst artist block I've felt, to my memory. I made this piece when I didn't want to make anything at all. I made this piece at the beginning of a global pandemic, when all of my goals and plans were flipped upside down, and I ashamedly felt relieved. I made this piece because I think it's funny and honest. S I M P L I F Y.” @caro.carlitos
... See MoreSee Less

This fantastic illustrative piece is called SIMPLIFY by School of Art student, Caroline Berkey!
.
“I would hope my illustrations speak more for themselves than any written statement would. I also wouldnt want to discourage any viewer from applying a personal meaning to my work, especially since the nuance of visual narrative is so special. This piece means a lot to me. I made this piece while experiencing the worst artist block Ive felt, to my memory. I made this piece when I didnt want to make anything at all. I made this piece at the beginning of a global pandemic, when all of my goals and plans were flipped upside down, and I ashamedly felt relieved. I made this piece because I think its funny and honest. S I M P L I F Y.” @caro.carlitos
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University of Arizona School of Art

1 month ago

University of Arizona School of Art

Congratulations to Alex Turner for his recognition in the 2020 Lens Culture Black and White Awards. Alex placed 1st in the Single Image Category for his beautiful image, “29 Humans (Smugglers) and 12 Horses , 1-Week Interval, Patagonia Mountains, AZ, 2019” from the series “Blind River”! ... See MoreSee Less

Congratulations to Alex Turner for his recognition in the 2020 Lens Culture Black and White Awards. Alex placed 1st in the Single Image Category for his beautiful image, “29 Humans (Smugglers) and 12 Horses , 1-Week Interval, Patagonia Mountains, AZ, 2019” from the series “Blind River”!
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  • Likes: 9
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University of Arizona School of Art

1 month ago

University of Arizona School of Art

Beautiful acrylic portrait from School of Art student Sara Al Dabbagh. This work features her rendition of a Sumerian Noblewoman in the desert of Sumer, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Sara is a third year Bachelor of Fine Arts student majoring in Studio Art with emphasis in Two-Dimensional studies.
“I am a woman from Iraq, and I have always desired to have myself be represented in art and modern culture. I made this piece, to show the beauty of Iraq.” @artist.sakalda
... See MoreSee Less

Beautiful acrylic portrait from School of Art student Sara Al Dabbagh. This work features her rendition of a Sumerian Noblewoman in the desert of Sumer, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. 
Sara is a third year Bachelor of Fine Arts student majoring in Studio Art with emphasis in Two-Dimensional studies. 
“I am a woman from Iraq, and I have always desired to have myself be represented in art and modern culture. I made this piece, to show the beauty of Iraq.” @artist.sakalda
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School Of Art

P.O. BOX 210002
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J. Gross Gallery Rm 101d
Tucson, AZ 85721-0002

Email: artinfo@cfa.arizona.edu

Phone: 520.621.7570

Fax: 520.621.2955


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