Frequently Asked Questions

if your questions are not answered below please contact the Director of Graduate Studies of the program you are interested in for additional information 

What is a competitive GPA for applicants?

On average, new students have an overall college GPA of 3.7 or above. We also look at prospective student's faculty recommendations, personal statements, and research papers as part of the selection process.  Some of our graduate programs may require additional materials. 

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Do I need to take the GRE?

The GRE is now optional for individuals applying to the Art History Ph.D. program; the Computational Media Arts & Cultures Ph.D. program (CMAC); the Digital Art History & Computational Media (DAH-CM) master's program; and the Master of Fine Arts in Experimental & Documentary Arts (MFAEDA).

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Do foreign nationals need to submit English Language Exam scores?

If your first language is not English, you must submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test with subscores. Any of these exams must have been taken within the last 2 years.

Minimum scores for each test are as follows:

  • TOEFL:  90
  • IELTS:  7.0 for the Academic
  • Duolingo English Test: 125

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How selective is the process of being admitted?

We admit very few students each year (fewer than 8), so our program is quite competitive. This small size, however, creates an intimate atmosphere for learning and a unique opportunity for teaching experience. Your GPA, faculty recommendations, personal statement, and writing sample are weighed by several professors in our department, including persons knowledgeable in your area of interest.

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What are the language requirements for the Ph.D. programs?

The language requirements for each student are determined by their advisor. The minimum requirement for all students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Art History is at least two foreign languages. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Computational Media are required to pass one foreign language exam and one machine learning exam.

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What kind of teaching assistant (TA) opportunities are available?

Each Ph.D. student in residence is required to serve as a TA one semester during the academic year while in years 1 - 5.  (Students serve as a grader, as opposed to a full TA, in their second semester.)  Additional teaching opportunities are available for more advanced Ph.D. students.

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