Art history students study more than the history of art.
Art history classes teach evaluate and interpret works of art and architecture and how they fit in to historical and artistic time periods. As an art history student, you will study not only art, artistic trends and artists, but also how that art relates to, reflects and affects human history. There are many different considerations for students deciding whether or not to pursue a master's degree in art history.
Educational Prerequisites
In order to be admitted into an art history master's program, you will need to have a bachelor's degree. You will have to submit official transcripts, and you will likely be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Each individual school will set its own admission policies, and some may require that you have a background in art history, as well as grade-point average requirements. For example, the University of Colorado requires a grade-point average of at least 3.0, a score of 500 or higher on the verbal portion of the GRE and a background in history and literature, as well as an "extensive background in art history." Additionally, some schools, such as UCLA, will only admit students who plan on obtaining a Ph.D. Some programs may have less stringent requirements, and students will want to select a program based on their qualifications and needs.
Program Requirements
Most master's programs in art history require one or two years to complete, with around 30 to 40 credit hours needed. Each school sets its own class requirements, but it is likely that the school will determine which classes you will have to take based on the specialty you choose. At most schools, including Yale and UCLA, you will be required to take a few general art history courses, and then choose a field of study. A field of study can include: Greek and Roman art, Latin American Art, European Art, medieval and Byzantine art, Renaissance and Baroque art, or modern and contemporary art. The remainder of your credit hours will usually be taken in your field of study. Some schools will also require you to take foreign language courses. Also, most schools require you to write a thesis at the end of your graduate classes, but there are some schools that have non-thesis tracks which allow you to take a comprehensive exam instead.
Types of Classes and Typical Assignments
Most master's programs have traditional seminar classes. Classes often use photographic slides, as well as trips to local art museums to accompany classroom work. In addition to taking classes in specific types of art in your field of study, you will also take classes in art history theory and research methods. Typical art history assignments will ask you to make an argument, and then use art to defend that argument. You may be required to look at individual design elements, such as color, rhythm or composition and how the artist uses those artistic elements. You may also have to determine how an object fits into a certain style, or compare two works from different styles. Other assignments will ask you to discuss how a particular artistic element fits into history, and what those elements mean. You may also be asked to critique a piece of artwork based on a specific set of criteria.
Art History Career Options
Several different career options exist for people who hold master's degrees in art history. Many students who obtain a master's degree in art history go on to obtain a Ph.D. as well. A Ph.D. will prepare you for higher level curator work in museums, but there are many career opportunities available for students holding master's degrees. In addition to working in museums and galleries, you can teach, work in art and slide libraries, or become a writer.
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