Art History, MA

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The MA in Art History offers a wide range of specializations in the advanced study of art history, visual culture, and critical theory, including the art of China, Japan, the Pacific, South Asia, Southeast Asia, global modern and contemporary art. In addition, there are opportunities for training in exhibition curation, documentation, collections management, and other practical areas. Applicants for the degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent from a recognized foreign institution. An undergraduate major in art history is desirable, but not necessary. In support of the application for admission, all applicants are required to arrange for three original letters of recommendation, and a sample of written work (preferably an art history seminar or term paper) to be sent directly to the art department prior to the application deadline. The application form for graduate admission should be sent under separate cover to Graduate Division.

Plan A Requirements:

Plan A is designed for students who aim to pursue an MA thesis as their cumulative experience.

Plan A students must complete 30 credit hours, including:

ART 670 - Art Historical Methodology Credits: 3
9 credit hours of art history graduate seminars
ART 700 - Thesis Research Credits: V (6 credits)

Plan B Requirements:

Plan B is designed for students who aim to pursue a capstone project as their cumulative experience, including but not limited to curatorial, collections management, documentary, or digital humanities projects.

Plan B students must complete 30 credit hours of which 18 must be taken in courses numbered above 600 including:

ART 670 - Art Historical Methodology Credits: 3
9 credit hours of art history graduate seminars
ART 701 - Plan B Capstone Credits: V (6 credits)

Notes:

In either plan, up to 6 credits of upper-level courses (including language courses) can be counted for elective credit. A maximum of 9 credits of electives may be taken outside of Art History.

Students in either plan who are considering continuing their art history studies at the PhD level are encouraged to complete coursework, especially in a research language, beyond the minimum MA Plan A or Plan B requirements.

The more suitable plan will be mutually determined by the faculty and the student.

For more information on the MA in Art History, contact the Art History Graduate Director <gradarth@hawaii.edu>.