M.A. Requirements

The M.A. Program offers students contact with diverse art historical methods and the opportunity to study the major periods of American, European, and Asian art and architecture. Students are expected to achieve more detailed understanding of one major field and two minor fields within the history of art and architecture. Twelve courses (36 credit hours), as well as a master’s thesis are required. In accordance with University and Departmental regulations, M.A. candidates in the history of art and architecture must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Course Requirements
Thirty-six hours of graduate courses at the 500 level or above are required, with a grade of "B-" or higher in each. The Graduate School allows no transfer credit toward the M.A. Students who receive two failing grades will not be permitted to remain in the program. Four courses are required: ARTH 501 Library Methodology, ARTH 801 Theory and Interpretation, and ARTH 804-805 Master’s Thesis. Each is offered once a year. Students are expected to take a least three courses in the art and architecture of their major field of study. At least three of their remaining courses must be distributed between two fields not contiguous in time and/or place with the major field. The remaining courses may be in the major or in any other field (see section 3) as students and their advisors deem useful. Students may receive permission from the Director of Graduate Studies to include in their programs courses offered by other departments. Full-time students are expected to enroll in a minimum of three courses each semester. Course requirements for the M.A. can thus be satisfied in four semesters.

2. Language Requirements
Language preparation is essential to a student’s success in this program and in the profession. Reading knowledge of one foreign language is required for the M.A. This language is ordinarily French, German, or Italian, but it may also be a language that is related to the student’s major field. The language is selected in consultation with the graduate advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Proficiency in the language should be demonstrated during the first semester of study and no later than the end of the first year. Students will satisfy the language requirement by passing a test administered by one of the language departments at the University or by the Graduate Program, consisting of the translation (with the aid of a dictionary) of a prose passage. Competence in languages is assumed in all graduate courses.

Language exams are administered at intervals in the academic year and by arrangement with the Graduate Director. While students who fail an exam may retake the test, failure to pass a second exam in a language will affect decisions on financial aid and admission to the Ph.D. program.

Students lacking at least one foreign language will not ordinarily be admitted to the program. Students should also realize that serious scholarship in art and architectural history often requires reading knowledge of a number of languages and that admission to the Ph.D. program will be contingent on demonstrating reading ability in a second language. Students should consult with the Graduate Director and their major field advisor about the languages required for work in their chosen field. In a number of fields three or more languages are essential. Students with a language deficiency should plan either to acquire language background before enrolling or to take language courses at Virginia, which may require their taking more time to finish the M.A. program. Students with foreign language deficiencies are urged to take language courses or an intensive language program prior to entry into the graduate program. This is especially important for students who wish to proceed to the Ph.D. program.

3. Major Field and Minor Fields
No later than the beginning of the second year, but usually at the end of the first year, students choose one major field and two minor fields from among the following: Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance/Baroque, Modern, American, South Asian, and East Asian. The Director of Graduate Studies must approve the choice.

4. Master's Thesis
Candidates research and write a master’s thesis during their second year, in the course of which they take the master’s thesis courses, ARTH 804-805. The master’s thesis should be about 50 pages in length (including footnotes but excluding bibliography and illustrations); and it may be based on a paper submitted for a graduate course. The M.A. thesis is evaluated by a three-person committee. The advisor for the M.A. thesis will serve as the first reader, and the Graduate Committee will approve a second and third reader (one reader may be from outside the program). Students ordinarily defend their master’s thesis orally before their committee in May of their fourth semester.

Questions? E-mail the Howard Singerman, Director of Graduate Studies.