2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/faa/art-history-ma/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/

for the degree of Master of Arts in Art History

This program provides basic preparation for teaching at the college level, background in the history of art for museum work, and preliminary study for the doctoral degree. In addition to the general requirements, the prerequisite for admission is ordinarily an undergraduate degree in art history or a strong preparation in related humanistic studies. Applicants with little background in art history but who have done exceptionally well as undergraduates in other disciplines will be seriously considered. A thesis or scholarly essay is required for completion of the degree.

Admission

Applications are considered for Fall Semester admissions only. Submitting GRE test scores is currently optional. International applicants need to submit a recent English Proficiency test score of 96 (TOEFL) or 6.5 (IELTS), or an exemption, for admissions.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience for master and doctoral students.

Facilities and Resources

Resources for graduate students in art and design include the Krannert Art Museum’s excellent permanent collections and changing exhibitions; the Ricker Library of Art and Architecture, one of the largest art and architecture libraries in the nation; the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; School of Art and Design facilities, which include extensive computer laboratories, digital photography and video editing equipment, wireless networking, ink-printing facilities, ceramic, woodworking, and metal shops, rapid prototyping and laser cutting, black/white and color darkrooms, shooting studios, and a wide selection of production and presentation equipment via reservation and checkout facility. A variety of lectures, symposia, musical programs, dramatic productions, and other cultural events associated with a large and progressive university complement the Art and Design Facilities.

Financial Aid

Fellowships, assistantships, and tuition and service fee waivers are awarded each year on a competitive basis, with consideration given to the applicant’s grade point average and, in the case of applicants for the M.F.A. programs, quality of creative work.

for the degree of Master of Arts in Art History

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate studies requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.

Thesis Option

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | ARTH 593 | Theory and Methodology | 4 | | Art History Graduate Seminars | | 16 | | 500-level ARTH seminar courses, chosen in consultation with advisor | | | | Additional graduate hours in the history of art and/or architecture | | 4 | | ARTH, ARCH, or LA course that is primarily art historical | | | | Must be a 400-level course with a graduate section or 500-level course | | | | ARTH 599 | Thesis Research (min applied toward degree) | 2 to 8 | | Electives (any remaining hours) | | 0 to 6 | | Language Requirement: Proficiency in a language outside of English and appropriate to the student's field of study must be demonstrated by the end of the first year of residence. | | 0 | | Total Hours | | 32 |

Other Requirements

Grad Other Degree Requirements Single Column

Non-Thesis Option

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | ARTH 593 | Theory and Methodology | 4 | | Art History Graduate Seminars | | 16 | | 500-level ARTH seminar courses, chosen in consultation with advisor | | | | Additional graduate hours in the history of art and/or architecture | | 4 | | ARTH, ARCH, or LA course that is primarily art historical | | | | Must be a 400-level course with a graduate section or 500-level course | | | | Electives | | 8 | | Language Requirement: Proficiency in a language outside of English and appropriate to the student's field of study must be demonstrated by the end of the first year of residence. | | 0 | | Total Hours | | 32 |

Other Requirements

Grad Other Degree Requirements Single Column

for the degree of Master of Arts in Art History

1. Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with key artistic monuments and modes of art production from various global contexts.
2. Students will be able to analyze and interpret works of art and architecture situated in a variety of historical and social contexts, and in comparative perspective.
3. Students will be able to use visual and verbal primary sources, secondary sources, and core critical frameworks of art historical analysis to develop and articulate persuasive arguments about works of art and the cultures that produced them.
4. Students will be able to engage in art historical writing at the level of an emerging professional scholar. This involves the critical application of standard art historical methods and marshaling visual and textual evidence to support interpretive claims.

for the degree of Master of Arts in Art History

School of Art & Design

School of Art & Design\ Art & Design faculty\ School Director: Brooke White\ Director of Graduate Studies: Terri Weissman\ Associate Director of Design: Lynne Dearborn\ 138 Art and Design Building, 408 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820\ Graduate Office: (217) 333-0642

Graduate Studies Advisors:

MA; PhD in Art History: David O'Brien\ MA; EdM; PhD in Art Education: Laura Hetrick\ MFA in Studio: Emmy Lingscheit and Conrad Bakker\ MFA in Industrial Design: Carlos Aguiar\ MFA in Design for Responsible Innovation: Nekita Thomas

College of Fine & Applied Arts

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Admissions

Ellen de Waard: edewaard@illinois.edu\ Graduate College Admissions Requirements