art history phd california

History of Art PhD

The Department of History of Art offers a two-stage integrated master's and doctoral program (MA/PhD) in preparation for college teaching, writing, and specialized curatorial careers. Students are not admitted to work for a terminal MA degree, though students may apply for the MA after meeting Stage I requirements toward the PhD. Students work closely with faculty in courses, seminars, and on independent research projects to develop independent thought and a thorough knowledge of the field and its critical methods. Cross-disciplinary work in Berkeley's distinguished departments of languages and literature, philosophy, rhetoric, film studies, women's studies, history, and the social sciences is strongly encouraged. A student may opt for a more formal relationship with other departments through Designated Emphases programs, including film studies; folklore; women, gender, and sexuality; and critical theory.

Contact Info

[email protected]

416 Doe Library #6020

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 3, 2024

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

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What are you looking for?

Graduate studies, ph.d. program in art history at the university of southern california.

The Ph.D. program in art history at USC draws its strength from a dynamic and productive faculty in the fields of American, European, British, Mediterranean, Latin American, and Asian art.  Studying objects in their complex physical, cultural and intellectual contexts, our program is committed to a historically situated, materially engaged, and theoretically nuanced approach to art history and visual culture.

Graduate admissions standards are competitive and based on evidence of an outstanding record in art history. USC requires that Ph.D. students be admitted to both the USC Graduate School and the Dornsife Department of Art History. We do not accept applicants for a terminal Master of Arts degree in art history, although students may be eligible for the MA if they do not complete the doctoral program.

How to Apply

The Visual Studies Graduate Certificate provides Ph.D. students with the tools and knowledge necessary to think critically about visual objects and experiences and to bring that thinking to bear on their ongoing scholarly work and doctoral research. Students will combine the sustained analysis of specific representations with attention to broader philosophical frameworks and historical conditions. This certificate is designed for students enrolled in a Ph.D. program at USC whose scholarly work includes a significant focus on visual culture. Rather than attending to visual forms (e.g. art, film, photography, advertising, digital media, illustrated books) in isolation from one another, the certificate considers the overlaps between images, texts and material objects was well as the alternative modes of interpretation such overlaps demand.

Visual Studies Graduate Certificate

Works in Progress is a series of talks organized by the graduate cohort that supports the ongoing work of our scholarly community by providing opportunities for intellectual exchange. Talks are held throughout the academic year and offer a platform for members of our scholarly community to test ideas and to receive feedback on in-process work in preparation for conference presentations, publications, research, and other opportunities. Each presentation is followed by a lively open discussion. Please be in touch with the WiP coordinators at  [email protected]  to learn more.

The graduate guidelines include a detailed description of requirements and expectations needed to earn the Ph.D. in Art History.  Copies of previous years can be requested at  [email protected] .

AHIS PhD Program Graduate Guidelines Fall 2024 – Summer 2025

AHIS PhD Program Graduate Guidelines Fall 2023 – Summer 2024

Departmental forms needed for current Art History graduate students to register for the following classes:

AHIS 590 Research leading to graduate degree

AHIS 790 Research leading to the Doctorate

Getty Consortium Seminar (Winter2025)

Application to the Getty Consortium program is due annually in October prior to the start of the seminar in January. Upon acceptance,  AHIS 790 is required for USC credit of 3 or 4 units. This is an accredited seminar at the Getty Research Institute for graduate students attending institutions in the Southern California region, including the University of California, Irvine; the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of California, Riverside; the University of California, San Diego; the University of California, Santa Barbara; and the University of Southern California.

Graduate seminars are regularly held on site or work with collections in area museums including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) ,  the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) ,  the Getty Center ,  the Getty Villa  and the  USC Fisher Museum of Art among others.

Art History (AHIS) graduate courses are at the 500 level or above.

Current Graduate Seminars

Contact – Graduate Studies

Director of graduate studies.

Elizabeth Massari Staff Graduate Advisor

Tracey L. Marshall Staff Graduate Advisor – ABD

Application deadline: December 1.

The doctor of philosophy in the Art History program normally requires at least three years of course work and two years of dissertation research. Applicants may be admitted directly into the program after receiving the BA Other applicants may already hold an MA in art history or the equivalent from USC or another ​accredited school.

Every student will be subject to departmental screening procedures, which involve periodic review by the art history graduate committee. The committee may recommend at any time, after a written warning, based on a student’s grades, evaluation of instructors or rate of progress toward the degree, that a student be dropped from the program. Such recommendations will become effective at the end of the semester during which the recommendation is made.

Course Requirements

Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy units total 60. Up to 32 master of arts units from USC or 16 from other institutions may be transferred with approval of the faculty. Transfer work applicable to the PhD program must have been completed within 10 years of the date of application. AHIS 500   , or equivalent, is required of all graduate students. Four units are for work on the ​dissertation. (Two units of dissertation credit each semester — including summer — for a minimum registration period of two semesters.)

Foreign Language Requirements

All candidates must pass reading proficiency examinations in a minimum of two languages, normally French and German or the requisite languages in Asian art. Substitutions and/or additions may be made with faculty recommendation and approval of the chair of the Art History Department when appropriate to the student’s program. Additional foreign language beyond the minimum may be required depending on the student’s program of study. All language requirements must be completed prior to taking the qualifying exam.

Screening Examinations

Passing the following procedures are prerequisite to continuation in the doctoral program, as stated in the departmental graduate guidelines. Before the student has completed 24 units, the first-year examination must be passed. Before the student has completed 48 units, the second-year review must be passed.

Qualifying Examination

At the end of the second year, the student will nominate a five-member qualifying exam committee for the qualifying examination that includes one member from outside the Department of Art History. The student is expected to pass the qualifying examination in a major field and satisfy the requirements for the minor and outside fields by the end of the third year. Forms for permission to take the qualifying examination must be submitted at least 60 days before the date of the scheduled examination. The written portion of the examination will be followed by an oral examination. The oral examination will be given to discuss in greater depth the student’s knowledge of the dissertation proposal; the oral lasts approximately two hours. After passing the qualifying examination, the student will be admitted to candidacy for the PhD.

Dissertation

Following the completion of the qualifying exam, the qualifying exam committee will be reduced to three members, including one member from outside the department, who will guide and finally approve the dissertation.

Welcome Prospective Graduate Students!

History of art application deadline: december 3, 2024.

We look forward to your inquiries about our program and your applications to work with faculty in a diverse, global range of fields in the arts and visual cultures.

• We’re here to answer questions and help you to envision joining our community, develop a program of advanced study and research, and join in our creation of a vibrant, inclusive environment.
• We’re ready to assist you with the application process alongside the Graduate Division and Office for Graduate Diversity.

Contacting Faculty:  We encourage you to reach out directly to the individual members of our faculty with whom you might be interested in working. These communications are a customary component of the application process. They offer an opportunity for you to quickly communicate who you are, share your research interests, and convey why you are reaching out (i.e. why you are especially interested in seeking their mentorship). Even if the faculty member has insufficient time to meet with prospective applicants in advance, they still appreciate receiving introductory emails of this kind.

Department-specific questions about the application process:  Please contact [email protected]

General questions about graduate admissions:  Please see the following sites.

Steps to Apply, UC Berkeley Graduate Division,  https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply/

Office for Graduate Diversity,  https://grad.berkeley.edu/graduate-diversity/

Applying to the Doctoral Program 

The Department welcomes applications for advanced study in the fields, periods, and specializations of the faculty in History of Art. We encourage prospective applicants to read carefully the graduate program description, familiarize themselves with the teaching and research areas of the faculty and related departments, and adhere precisely to application deadlines and requirements.

Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee, which is comprised of five faculty members assisted by the Graduate Affairs Officer, in consultation with the faculty at large and in accordance with UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division. Applicants awarded admission, with or without fellowship support, will be notified by the University’s Graduate Division by late March, and must accept or decline any award by April 15. 

Your application will be kept on file in the Department for two years. Please note that supporting materials cannot be returned and will not be retained beyond the two-year limit. For information on reapplying, or reactivating a past application, please consult the  Graduate Division .

Important Factors  

• The faculty seeks exceptional candidates whose academic and professional preparation and achievement demonstrate that they will be able to make rapid progress toward a doctorate degree in History of Art and to complete their studies with distinction.
• We do prefer previous study in a discipline in the humanities or social sciences, involving historical content and the acquisition of research and interpretive skills, as well as effective writing abilities
• We welcome applications from those with B.A. degrees who have a strong foundation in the humanities and a set of clear intellectual interests in History of Art.
• We also welcome applications from students who have received an M.A. at UC Berkeley or other universities.

PLEASE READ AND CONSIDER BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION: 

The Department does not offer a terminal master’s program , and students who have yet to establish a field or fields of proposed study, who lack previous study in fields with historical content, or who have yet to begin study of a primary research language may be better served by applying to an MA program at another University or an MA program in a cognate department at UC Berkeley.

Admission to this program follows a thorough review of each applicant’s complete dossier; no individual component, score, or statement will ensure admission. The Department does not report on the results of prior admissions. 

After careful review of this page, the graduate program description, as well as their own prior study and experience, prospective applicants may wish to contact individual faculty with specific questions regarding the doctoral program. Please keep in mind that faculty may not respond in detail to such inquiries due to the volume of applications.

Application Materials 

• All applications for Fall 2023 admission (with or without fellowship consideration) must be submitted online by  December 4, 2023 at 8:59pm PST . 
•  We will only accept applications for the Fall semester.
• Please note that the Department will not review your application until we have received all documents along with the $120 application fee for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or $140 for all other applicants (payable online).
• Applicants must complete the  online application  which will open September 15, 2021
• If you wish to be considered for University fellowships and/or Foreign Language Area Scholarship (FLAS), you must complete the Financial Aid Statement.

Applications Components

Statement of Purpose

The faculty considers the Statement of Purpose to be one of the most important parts of your application. We look for a clear, well-written essay of appropriate length (2 pages single spaced) that demonstrates a sophisticated sense of the field of art history and that indicates the scholarly direction you wish to take. Another important factor affecting the decision of the Graduate Admissions Committee is the compatibility of your research interests with those of our faculty. Please review our current faculty members and their fields of expertise on the  Faculty Webpages . Please note that we also require a Personal History Statement. 

Writing Sample

All applicants are required to submit one writing sample of approximately 20 pages. The sample should be a formal, scholarly piece of writing that preferably addresses analytically a topic that is historical in nature. Post-MA applicants should submit their master’s thesis.  

Admissions FAQ

Can i contact a faculty member before applying.

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Can I visit the campus before applying?

Students are welcome to set up an appointment to meet with the Graduate Student Affairs Officer . The university offers walking tours of the campus daily

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Does Berkeley offer application fee waivers?

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Are there any prerequisites? Do I need to have majored in art history?

No. Students come from a variety of academic backgrounds.

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What are the specifics regarding the writing sample?

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How long should my paper be?

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How long should my Statement of Purpose and/or my Personal History Statement be?

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What is the difference between the Statement of Purpose and the Personal History Statement?

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Is the TOEFL required? What is the minimum score?

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Is the GRE required? How important is it?

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Can I have more than three Letters of Recommendation?

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Do I have to complete the entire application again if I applied last year?

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When will I be notified?

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Does History of Art accept applications for both fall and spring?

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Are scholarships available?

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If I am admitted, can I defer my admissions?

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Graduate Admissions

The Department welcomes applications from candidates with a BA degree in art history or other related disciplines with demonstrated intellectual investment in the advanced study of art and its histories. We also welcome applications from those with a MA degree from UCLA or other institutions. Academic preparation and professional accomplishments should reflect capacity and/or potential for original academic research as well as strong interpretive and writing skills. Applicants are encouraged to become familiar with not only the faculty’s fields of teaching and research but also other departments and programs on campus that may be relevant to his or her future studies. In addition to the University-wide graduate admissions minimum requirements , applicants must show evidence of having taken and passed with a grade of B or better at least three courses (upper division and/or graduate) in the history of art or allied fields that address material culture.

The Department offers a two-stage graduate program toward the PhD. Students are not admitted for a terminal master’s (MA) degree. The MA is awarded in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD and is granted with the successful completion of the first stage of the program, typically at the end of the second year (6th quarter) in residence. The admissions Graduate Review Committee may waive the M.A. requirements, at the time of admission, for students matriculating with a M.A. degree in Art History or adjacent discipline from another institution. Following Academic Senate policy on duplication of degrees, a student who enters the program with a M.A. degree in Art History from another institution is not eligible to receive a second M.A. degree in Art History from UCLA.

In addition to the University-wide graduate admissions minimum requirements , applicants must show evidence of having taken and passed with a grade of B or better at least three courses (upper division and/or graduate) in the history of art or allied fields.

Application Process

Fall Quarter admission only; t he next deadline is November 30, 2024.

The UCLA Graduate Division utilizes an on-line application through Slate , with online letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and the capacity for the upload of other documents. The Graduate Division application, including supporting material, will ONLY be accepted electronically. If you do not submit all materials online, you will not be considered for admission.

For questions regarding the admissions process,  please contact the Student Affairs Officer, Kerry Allen .

The UCLA Art History department is exercising caution with regard to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and accordingly, our staff are working remotely for the time being. If you need academic counseling from our Student Affairs Officer, Kerry Allen , we encourage you to email her during regular business hours, which are 9 am-12:30 pm, and 1:30pm-6pm Mondays through Fridays (excluding holidays). The SAO is also available for calls or virtual meetings (on Zoom) but kindly ask for you to email her beforehand to set up a time to talk during regular business hours. Thank you for your patience.

Click here to access the online application.

Application Checklist

• Basic Information  including your academic history and the program to which you wish to apply, as well as the $135 non-refundable application fee (for US citizens and permanent residents) or $155 for all other applicants.
• Statement of Purpose  of approximately 500 words
• Personal Statement  of approximately 500 words (serves as Diversity Statement for certain fellowships, such as the Cota-Robles)
• Three Letters of Recommendation  from those who can evaluate the applicant’s preparation and potential for academic success in a doctoral program. Letters to be uploaded/submitted by referee.
• Writing Sample  of two 10-15 page or one longer research paper, or MA thesis if applicable (or sample chapter if length is sufficient). Limit 30 pages; please note that the  bibliography does  not  count towards the 30 page limit.
• Transcripts , one from each institution attended, uploaded online, and may be  unofficial transcripts .  NOTE:  An official copy of transcripts is only required if you are offered admission to our program. If you need to send in an official transcript,  Transcript Request Forms  are available to be printed and submitted to your college or university registrar(s). Official transcripts must be delivered in sealed envelopes by mail to the Department, either sent directly from the institution or mailed by the applicant.
• Foreign Language Survey : Please fill out the Foreign Language Survey form using  Adobe Acrobat Reader . Using other programs, such as Preview on Mac OS X, can cause your form data to be corrupted.   Please upload the survey to your online application under the Supplemental Documents section.
• GRE scores  ( not older than 3 years/36 months to the month of the application deadline ): admissions due to complications surrounding COVID-19. GRE Scores must be sent directly from ETS. The institutional code for UCLA is R4837. Use 2301 (Art History) as the Department/Major Field Code. GRE score requirement has been WAIVED FOR FALL 2024.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores  ( required of international applicants  only whose first language is not English). Official Score Reports can be ordered from ETS. The institution code for UCLA is 4837. The department code is 26.

Please send any non-electronic materials to: UCLA Art History Admissions Attention: Student Affairs Officer Dept. of Art History 405 Hilgard Avenue, 100 Dodd Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1417

Why pursue a PhD in Art History? The UCLA PhD program in Art History prepares students for careers as college-level teachers, writers, curators, and museum or art world professionals. It is designed to encourage interdisciplinary critical thinking and engagement with a variety of approaches to art history, and supports close interaction between students and faculty.

How do I apply? UCLA’s Graduate Division has launched a new online application process in recent years. Complete the Graduate Division’s online application, which can be accessed on their website, and upload supporting documents. Please consult the guideline provided above, “Application Process” and “Application Checklist,” for important details.

When are applications due? November 30th of each year.

How many students apply each year; how many are accepted? The UCLA Department of Art History is highly competitive. On average, 100 applicants apply each year. On average, we accept approximately 6-8 students each year.

What makes a strong application for graduate school? The Graduate Review Committee (GRC) values applications that reflect a serious engagement with art historical questions and problems, a focused intellectual direction, and a strong scholarly record. Preparatory training in foreign languages is also highly desirable.

What makes a strong Statement of Purpose? A strong statement of purpose is concise, clearly written, and provides a substantive account of the applicant’s intellectual and research interests as well as aspirational direction in Art History.

Do I have to identify which faculty I would like to work with in my application material? No.

What GPA do I need to be accepted? The Graduate Review Committee (GRC) expects a GPA of 3.5 or better.  However, students are accepted on the basis of the entire admissions package and not on any one element.

Can I apply if I don’t have a BA in Art History? Yes.  The minimum requirement to be considered for our graduate program is that you have taken 3 art history courses at the undergraduate or graduate level with a grade of B or better in each.

What if I haven’t taken the 3 Art History courses required for entry into the program? At the discretion of the Graduate Review Committee (GRC), applicants demonstrating exceptional promise who are short on the 3 required courses in art history could still be admitted to the program. In some cases, additional coursework in the field may be required upon admission.

Does the Department offer just the MA degree? No. The Department does not offer a terminal MA.  The MA degree   is awarded only as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD and is   granted with the successful completion of the first stage of the program.

If I already have a MA, can I apply directly to the PhD program? Yes. Students with a MA degree in art history or another discipline can apply for admission to the PhD program. The Graduate Review Committee (GRC) will determine the equivalency of the MA on an individual basis.

How long does the PhD program take to complete? The normative time to degree for the PhD is  seven years  from the term of admission. For students entering at the PhD level (i.e., with a MA in hand), the normative time to degree is  five years  from the term of admission.

Can my Letters of Recommendation be sent electronically? Yes, the three recommendation letters should be submitted online by your referees.

What should my GRE test scores be? GRE score requirement has been WAIVED FOR FALL 2024.  admissions due to complications surrounding COVID-19. Although no minimum score has been established for admission, successful applicants in recent years have scored on average between 160-165 on verbal reasoning.  GRE scores may not be older than 3 years/36 months to the month of the application deadline.

When should I take the GRE exam? Please consult the  GRE website  for details about where and when the test is administered.  It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for the Department to receive your scores.  The GRE score should not be older than three years at time of application.

What are the institution and department/major codes for the GRE exam? Institution code: 4837 Department/major code: 2301

Can my writing sample be a chapter of my thesis?  In a language other than English? Yes to both.

Can prospective students arrange for a campus/department visit, including sitting in on a class? Yes.  For campus visits, go to  this Graduate Division link .  To sit in on a class, you must obtain permission from the professor teaching the class.  For contact information, go to  Faculty  and click on the names of individual professors.

What kind of funding is available? The Department makes every effort to support all incoming art history graduate students with multi-year funding packages.  Additionally, there is  Graduate Division funding , as well as funding from state, federal, and private sources.  For more information about funding, subscribe to the  Grad Fellowship List .

Where should additional application materials be sent? Non-electronic supplementary materials should be sent to:

UCLA Art History Admissions Attention: Student Affairs Officer Dept. of Art History 100 Dodd Hall Los Angeles, CA  90095-1417

Who should I contact if I have questions about admissions to the program? Kerry Allen, Student Affairs Officer OR Professor Meredith Cohen, Director of Graduate Studies .