Master of Arts in Art History
Degree Requirements
(60 quarter hours)
- Art History Courses—40 hours
- Art History Seminars—10 Hours
- ARTH 4301 Seminar in Art History Methods—5 hours
- ARTH 4302 Research Practicum—5 hours
- Total—60 hours
Qualifying Examiniation
A qualifying examination is used by the art history faculty to determine the newly admitted student's strengths and weaknesses and to facilitate program planning. The exam is normally taken on the Friday before the first week of classes.
Language Requirement
Demonstration of reading proficiency in one modern foreign language is required for all MA candidates. An exam is offered each quarter by the Department of Languages and Literatures, or the student may take the fourth semester (or sixth quarter) of a college language course and receive a B+ or better to demonstrate reading proficiency. A language should be chosen, in consultation with the graduate advisor, that supports the student's research interests and career plans, keeping in mind that some Ph.D. programs still require French and German. This requirement must be met before the student advances to candidacy.
Comprehensive Examinination
The comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the student's retention and synthesis of art history course work taken at the University of Denver. Students are encouraged to take the test as soon as possible after the final quarter in which they are enrolled in course work. Planning for this examination is done with the supervision of the graduate advisor.
Master's Research Paper
MA degree students are required to write a research paper of publishable quality. Although work on the thesis should not begin prior to passing the comprehensive examination, students often choose subjects on which they have already conducted some research during prior seminars or lecture classes. Guidelines should be obtained from both the graduate studies office and the School of Art and Art History.