Art, Art History & Visual StudiesApplication Procedures
Ph.D. in Art History & Visual Culture
Application deadline: December 15, 2023
Fall admissions only.
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; exams must be passed in at least two foreign languages before taking the preliminary examinations. GRE scores must be submitted; foreign students 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 GRE is optional for prospective students applying for Fall 2024 admission
The Graduate Bulletin is available online at: https://registrar.duke.edu/university-bulletins/graduate-school
MFA in Experimental & Documentary Arts
Application to the MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts consists of two main components, the Graduate School application form and a portfolio of work.
JD / MA Program in Law and History of Art
JD/MA candidates do not need to apply separately to the Graduate School - the regular law school application is all that's required. In addition, the Graduate School waives the GRE requirement for JD/MA and JD/MA applicants, so there's no need for an additional standardized test.
MA in Digital Art History and Computational Media
Application deadline: March 5, 2024
The GRE is optional for prospective students applying for Fall 2024 admission
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. For the 2023 application cycle, scores from the GRE General exam are optional. International applicants must submit English language proficiency test scores if English is not their first language.