Application Procedure
The application cycle for 2026 admission is open.
Ph.D. in Art History & Visual Culture
Fall admissions only
The application deadline for Fall 2026 admission closes on December 11, 2025.
The GRE is optional for prospective students applying to the Art History & Visual Culture Ph.D. program
Students must have distinguished undergraduate academic records with either a major in Art History or a demonstrated interest in visual culture. It is highly recommended that students acquire the necessary language skills for their research before they begin their graduate work. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to read those languages necessary to their research fields as determined by their faculty advisors; research competency exams must be passed in at least two non-English languages before taking the preliminary examinations. Foreign applicants who speak English as a second language must have minimum TOEFL scores of 90. Please note that your 10-page writing sample should now be uploaded directly with your online application in the Writing Sample section – the department no longer requests a hard copy. (Read: How to submit your writing sample)
The Graduate Bulletin is available online at: https://graduateschool.bulletins.duke.edu/
MFA in Experimental & Documentary Arts
The application deadline for Fall 2025 admission closes on January 29, 2026.
The GRE is optional for prospective students applying to the MFAEDA program
Application to the MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts consists of two main components, the Graduate School application form and a portfolio of work.
MA in Digital Art History & Computational Media (DAH-CM)
The application deadline for Fall 2026 admission closes on January 29, 2026.
The GRE is optional for prospective students applying to the DAH/CM master's program
To apply, prospective students must submit an online application through the Duke University Graduate School. Applications must include a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, writing sample as well as transcripts. International applicants must submit English language proficiency test scores if English is not their first language.
Ph.D. in Computational Media, Arts and Cultures (CMAC)
** The CMAC program is not admitting students in Academic Year 2026-27. **
To apply, prospective students must submit an online application through the Duke University Graduate School. Foreign applicants who speak English as a second language must have minimum TOEFL scores of 90. In addition to the application, the CMAC Ph.D. program requires the submission of a writing sample of 10-20 pages and a design/production portfolio. Click below for details about the writing sample and portfolio found on the CMAC web site.