Master of Arts

M.A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The M.A. Program in the History of Art and Archaeology at the Institute is designed for the student who wants to study the history and role of the visual arts in culture and society through detailed, object-based examination, historical analysis, and critical interpretation. The degree program is constituted as a broad learning experience supported by numerous opportunities for intellectual inquiry, guided by leading scholars, and enhanced by access to New York area museums, curators and conservators, archaeological sites, and NYU’s global network.

The Institute’s M.A. in the History of Art and Archaeology is intended for students with a developed interest in the visual arts who wish to earn an advanced degree without the commitment to a multi-year doctoral program. The M.A. degree proves useful for students interested in careers in art museums, galleries, auction houses, cultural centers, arts foundations, archaeological site management and development, art conservation, or eventual doctoral work in art history or archaeology.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The program is designed for two years of full-time study, or three years of part-time study. A total of 10 four-credit courses (40 credits total) are required to complete the M.A. degree.

COURSE DISTRIBUTION

There are two required courses: Foundations I (FINH-GA.2046.001), which is focused on the historiography and methodology of art history; and Foundations II. Courses that pertain to the material dimension of art history and fall under the Foundations II/Technical Studies of Works of art section of course offerings can fulfill the Foundations II requirement.

In addition to the two required Foundations courses, students will take eight courses in lectures, seminars, and colloquia (see DEFINITION OF COURSES below). At least four of these eight courses must come from different distributions. Two of these courses must be seminars from different distributions.

  • Pre-Modern Asia
  • Pre-modern Africa and the Middle East
  • The Ancient Mediterranean and Middle East, Including Egypt
  • Pre-modern Europe and the Americas
  • Post-1750 Global
  • Museum and Curatorial Studies
  • Technical Studies of Works of Art
  • Architectural History

DEFINITION OF COURSES

Colloquium: A colloquium provides an analysis or overview of the state of the literature on a given art historical topic or problem, with extensive reading, discussion, and presentations. There may be a final paper.

Lecture: Lecture courses explore topics or periods, giving overviews of major issues as well as detailed analysis of specific problems and works of art. Students are responsible for assigned and recommended reading, and may produce short papers and/or take an exam.

Seminar: A seminar is a focused advanced course that explores a topic in depth. Seminars are often based on exhibitions or collections in the New York area. Students are expected to produce a substantive paper that demonstrates original research.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Language Proficiency: M.A. students must demonstrate proficiency in reading one modern research language other than English that is relevant to their studies. Proficiency is demonstrated by passing an examination administered by the Institute of Fine Arts. Students focusing on a field of study in which their primary language other than English is relevant may be granted an exemption from the language requirement pending submission of an exemption form signed by their advisor and the Director of Masters Studies.

Master’s Thesis: Completion of the M.A. thesis is a requirement of the M.A. degree. The thesis will be of substantial length (8,500 - 9,500 words) and provide comprehensive treatment of a problem in scholarship, be competently written, and may be of publishable quality. The topic can be developed from papers written for a class or from independent research. Students in the conservation program can include technical studies in the master’s thesis, provided the thesis retains its focus on art history or archaeology. The student will, in consultation with a Faculty Advisor, conduct research and write an 8,500-9,500-word Master’s Thesis on a topic within art history.

M.A. PROGRAM SCHEDULES

TYPICAL FULL-TIME M.A. SCHEDULE

YEAR ONE

Fall Semester: 3 courses, 12 credits

  • Foundations I (enrollment required for all first-year MA students)
  • Sit for a language exam in December (recommended)

Spring Semester: 3 courses, 12 credits

  • Foundations II
  • Sit for a language exam in May (required)
  • Begin formulating ideas for thesis

Summer: 0 courses, 0 credits

  • Students who qualify for the summer Shelby White/Leon Levy Travel Grant will be registered for Maintenance of Matriculation by the Academic Office.
YEAR TWO

Fall Semester: 3 courses, 12 credits

  • Students who were unable to pass a language exam in year one must do so by this semester
  • Fulfill remaining Seminar and Distribution requirements
  • Confirm thesis advisor
  • Submit thesis description, outline, and annotated bibliography

Spring Semester: 1 course, 4 credits

  • Submit Spring graduation request to NYU (via NYU-Albert)
  • Complete thesis and receive approval from two readers

TYPICAL PART-TIME M.A. SCHEDULE

Fall Semester: 2 courses, 8 credits

YEAR ONE

  • Foundations I (enrollment required for all first-year MA students)
  • Sit for a language exam in December (recommended)

Spring Semester: 2 courses, 8 credits

  • Foundations II + another course
  • Sit for a language exam in May (recommended)

Summer: 0 courses, 0 credits

  • Students who qualify for the summer Shelby White/Leon Levy Travel Grant will be registered for Maintenance of Matriculation by the Academic Office.

YEAR TWO

Fall Semester: 2 courses, 8 credits

  • Option to sit for a language exam

Spring Semester: 2 course, 8 credits

  • Option to sit for a language exam
  • Begin formulating ideas for thesis

YEAR THREE

Fall Semester: 1 course, 4 credits

  • Students who were unable to pass a language exam in year one or two must do so by this semester
  • Fulfill remaining Seminar/Distribution requirement
  • Confirm thesis advisor
  • Submit thesis description, outline, and annotated bibliography

Spring Semester: 1 course, 4 credits

  • Submit Spring graduation request to NYU (via NYU-Albert)
  • Complete thesis and receive approval from two readers

M.A. FELLOWSHIPS

The Institute of Fine Arts offers four fellowship opportunities for eligible students admitted to the M.A. program. Admitted students will receive additional information in their acceptance letters in early spring regarding application processes and deadlines.

Institute of Fine Arts Fellowship
Full fellowship for a Master of Arts in the History of Art and Archaeology student who demonstrates financial need and academic merit.

Harriet Griffin Fellowship
Full fellowship for a Master of Arts in the History of Art and Archaeology student who demonstrates financial need and academic merit.

Ehrenkranz Fellowship*
Full fellowship for a Master of Arts in the History of Art and Archaeology student who demonstrates financial need and academic merit with an interest in the fields of African and/or Asian art with a preference for those studying Afro Asian subjects.

Estrellita B. Brodsky Fellowship for Latin American Art History*
Partial fellowship for a Master of Arts in the History of Art and Archaeology student who demonstrates financial need and academic merit with an interest in the field of Latin American Art.

*Available to students every other academic year.

PROGRAM CONTACT

Academic Office
Alison Bean, Academic Advisor
Telephone: 212-992-5807
Email: IFA-AO-admin@nyu.edu