The majority of our MA students in Art History choose to complete the museum studies concentration. Alumni have gone on to diverse and rewarding careers in the museum world. Our partnership with the Denver Art Museum forms a central part of the museum studies program. Note that DU also has a museum studies concentration within the MA in Anthropology and some courses are cross listed. Graduate admissions questions should be directed to Dr. Annabeth Headrick the Admissions Coordintator.

Current students should direct their questions to Dr. Elizabeth Owen the advisor for graduate students in the M.A. in Art History.

Download Advising sheet (PDF or Word)
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Director of Museum Studies: Dr. Gwen Chanzit, 720-913-0153.

The Program

Course Work

Course Requirements Before Fall 2008	Credits	Course Requirements for Students Entering Fall 2008 & after	Credits
Art History classes	20	Art History classes	16
Seminars	10	Seminars	8
Methods	5	Methods	4
Research Practicum	5	Research Practicum	4
Museum Methods and Principles	5	Museum Methods and Principles	4
Museum Studies Electives	15	Museum Studies Electives	16
		Masters Paper	4
Total Quarter Hours	60	Total Quarter Hours	56

Museum studies electives include

ARTH 3838 Connoisseurship, taught at the DAM by Chief Curator Timothy Standring

ARTH 3872 Conservation, taught at DU by DAM and other conservators.

ARTH 3656 Curatorial Practicum, students design and mount an exhibition from world class contemporary art collectors

ARTH 3661 Learning in Museums

ARTH 4652 Museum Internship, may be completed at the Denver Art Museum, Belmar Laboratory for Art and Ideas, Museum of Contemporary Art or other venues approved by the Director of Museum Studies, Dr. Gwen Chanzit.

Sometimes travel and other courses have a museum focus and may count toward this requirement.

Qualifying Exam

A qualifying examination is used by the art history faculty to determine a student's strengths and weaknesses and to help with program planning. It must be taken before the first week of classes.

Language

The student must demonstrate reading ability in a second language at the level of the 4th semester or 6th quarter of college study. An exam may be taken in the Department of Languages and Literatures or proof of a grade of B+ or better in the final quarter or semester of language may be submitted. French or German are recommended for students considering further study for the Ph. D. All students must provide a written plan to the Graduate Advisorfor completion of this requirementat the beginning of their MA program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Upon completion of qualifying exam and language, the student should contact the office to ensure that advancement to candidacy forms have been completed.

Comprehensive Exam

Upon completion of course work the student takes on an exam written by the faculty specifically for that individual. It combines course work in broad essay questions.

Masters Research Paper

An expanded, publishable paper is the Final requirement. Download Guidelines--PDF

Application and Admission Information

Before applying, you should have successfully completed at least 5 undergraduate art history courses, including a survey of art history, and 1 year of college-level language, although preference will be given to students with 2 years of college-level language. Some nonwestern art history is encouraged and 2 studio art classes are preferred. Submit an application, 3 letters of recommendation, a research paper, GRE scores, transcripts, and a letter outlining your reasons for graduate study and your professional goals. If you would like more information click here click here. Beginning in 2008-2009, the application deadline will be February 15. Applicants will be notified of the decision by March 15. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. To arrange a tour of The School of Art and Art History please call 303.871.2846 or email Jason Kellermeyer

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