2013–2014 The Bulletin - USS at Tufts - Tufts University

Art and Art History >
coursework, plus a short description of the thesis
content and research plan. If approved by the
department at this preliminary, prospectus stage,
the student may then proceed to the proposal stage
in close consultation with the advisor. By the
second Friday of classes of the senior year, a
three-to-five page proposal must be submitted to
the director of undergraduate studies listing the
thesis title, department advisor, and at least one
additional committee member, and also including a
lengthier description of the proposed project
accompanied by a full research bibliography. The
department in mid-September grants or denies
approval for the proposed thesis to move forward.
Completed senior theses are due the third to last
Friday of April, to be considered for the department’s
Caviness Thesis Prize. Theses are publicly
presented in ten-minute talks at a luncheon held
the day after the conclusion of spring classes.
Defenses are conducted in late April or early May.
After the defense, a final copy of the thesis, in
electronic form, must be submitted to the Tisch
Library archive and to the department. Seniors’
theses are taken into consideration when awarding
academic honors or department prizes.
GRADUATE ProgrAM
The Department of Art and Art History offers the
Master of Arts degree in Art History, which has
two tracks. The M.A. program normally takes two
years to complete.
Entering graduate students choose one of the
following tracks:
• M.A. in Art History
• M.A. in Art History and Museum Studies
Applicants for the master of arts degree are expected
to have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
The undergraduate major in Art History is the
best preparation for this program, but not mandatory.
Applicants who have undergraduate degrees in
other fields but have minored in Art History or
have taken three or four undergraduate art history
courses are also encouraged to apply.
The following is required for application: a
verbal GRE general test score, a recent writing
sample, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation,
and reading knowledge of one foreign
language.
Master of Arts: Art History
The master’s program in art history is designed to
provide a broad historical understanding of the
visual arts, in addition to developing critical
thinking and methodological skills. Students
engage these ideas through course work, seminars,
independent research, and teaching experience.
Students complete their degrees either by writing a
thesis or submitting two qualifying papers; either
option involves an independent research topic
designed by the student in consultation with a
faculty advisor. M.A. students from our program
are successful in applying to and completing Ph.D.
programs.
Requirements for the M.A. degree in Art History:
• Reading knowledge of one foreign language
upon entry
• Eight semester courses in art history at the
advanced (100 and above) level
Historiography and Methodology (FAH 101)
At least three (3) seminars
Optional one second foreign language course
in lieu of a lecture course
• Comprehensive Exam
• At least one semester TA or RA (subject to
enrollments and funding)
• M.A. thesis or two Qualifying Papers.
For inquiries about the program, please
contact the Director of the Graduate Program,
Associate Professor Christina Maranci, at
Christina.maranci@tufts.edu or 617-627-5288.
Master of Arts: Art History and Museum Studies
The master’s program in Art History and Museum
Studies is designed to give students advance
qualification in art history and a broad introduction
to museum work. The program is offered for those
hoping to work in art collection-related fields. It
provides students with skills to integrate theoretical
study of art history with practical concerns of
displaying, managing, and interpreting art objects
in a variety of museum studies simultaneously.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers
in museums, art galleries, art publishing, museum
education, teaching, art libraries, visual resource
collections, or auction houses.
Requirements for the M.A. degree in Art History
and Museum Studies:
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