Art History PhD Program Requirements
It is expected that a student will take a minimum of three courses each semester, excluding language courses. There is no core curriculum; at least ten courses should be taken in the History of Art (at least six at the 300-level; exceptionally, a 100-level course may be taken as an independent study with the special permission of the instructor and with the assignment of additional, graduate-level work). As the program has a strong interdisciplinary component, at least four graduate-level courses should be taken outside the department. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to read those languages necessary to their research fields as determined by their faculty advisors; exams must be passed in at least two foreign languages before taking the preliminary examinations. Matriculating students should consult the current Ph.D. Program in the History of Art Guidelines. (link at right)
Preliminary examinations are taken after completion of course work. The major and minor fields are identified by students in consultation with their principal advisers and the Director of Graduate Studies (minor fields may be outside the department, e.g. Latin American Studies, Film Studies, Literature, Economics, etc.). Major and minor field written exams are followed by a first oral examination. A second oral examination focuses on a dissertation prospectus of 10-15 pages. A final dissertation defense follows the completion of the thesis. The examining committee is appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and will consist of at least 4 and no more than 5 members (3 members must come from within the department; usually one member comes from outside the department). Ph.D. students must maintain a minimum B average (3.3) to remain in the program. Students receiving fellowship funding must maintain at least an A- average (3.7). Fellowships may also be withdrawn from a student for the incompletion of course work. The Ph.D. degree should be completed within five years. For a detailed explanation of the organization and requirements of the Ph.D. program, also consult the Ph.D. Program in the History of Art Guidelines.