Art (Creative) and Art History (MA)

Master of Arts in Art (Creative) and Art History (ART MA)
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Fine Arts
Program Webpage: louisville.edu/art/graduate

Program Information

Students may receive a Master of Arts degree in the Department of Fine Arts by completing 31 credit hours of graduate study divided between work in the Core Curriculum and work in one of the following three tracks of study: Art History, Critical and Curatorial Studies, or Studio Art.

Degree Summary

Accelerated BA/MA in Art History

Art History majors who are considering pursuing a master's degree (MA) in Art History can speed up the process by applying some of their undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree.  Students accepted into the Accelerated BA/MA program take three 500-level courses (9 credit hours) as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor's degree and the eventual master's degree. 

Interested students should apply to the program during Junior year (i.e, when they have accumulated 60-90 hours of credit). Students must have at least a 3.0 university grade point average when they apply and must maintain a 3.0 once accepted. Once admitted to the accelerated BA/MA program, students are expected to maintain a full graduate load of 9 credit hours. 

Once accepted into the program, students complete 9 hours of 500-level coursework during their final year of undergraduate studies. They then graduate with a bachelor's degree and move straight into the UofL MA program. Students in the accelerated program must meet all of the requirements for the MA, including completing at least 12 credit hours of their 31-hour program in 600-level courses.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MA program, students must submit the following credentials:

• Application to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies
• Transcripts of all colleges attended (undergraduate or graduate)
• Two letters of recommendation specific to the program
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

Program Requirements

Concentration Requirements 

All students must complete one of the following 15-credit hour concentrations in addition to the 16-credit hour program core (see Degree Requirements tab).

Concentration in Art History

Students in this concentration are expected to demonstrate competence in the history of art, equivalent to an undergraduate major.

Reading knowledge of one foreign language is required for the completion of the Art History concentration. This requirement should be met during the first year in the program, but must be met before enrolling for Thesis Guidance (ARTH 645/ARTH 646). Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of two ways:

1. Taking an examination administered by the department, scheduled in the fall and spring semesters; or
2. Completing the intermediate level of the language at the University of Louisville with a grade of B or better.

A minimum of 12 credit hours in the concentration, exclusive of Thesis Guidance, must be at the 600-level, of which at least nine (9) credit hours must be in Art History.

The concentration in Art History will conclude with a written thesis.

The thesis consists of a research paper demonstrating critical knowledge of relevant sources, skill in analysis and interpretation, and ability to present the results in a well-organized and intelligent manner. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination. 

Concentration in Critical & Curatorial Studies

Students admitted to this concentration are expected to demonstrate competence in the history of art, studio art or arts management equivalent to an undergraduate major and an interest in museum theory and work.

A minimum of 12 credit hours in the concentration, exclusive of Thesis Guidance, must be at the 600-level

The concentration in Critical & Curatorial Studies will conclude with a thesis exhibition or curatorial project. The exhibition or curatorial project may be produced in cooperation with the university's galleries, the Speed Art Museum, or other appropriate institutions authorized by the department. It should be a culminating experience occurring in the final year of study.

To fulfill this requirement, the candidate must submit a prefatory project proposal with the approval of their graduate advisor, produce or implement the thesis practicum proposed, and appropriately document the exhibit or project. This documentation will include exhibition or project materials such as press releases, announcements, wall texts, brochures and/or catalog, and digital and/or photographic documentation of the exhibition or project as well as other corollary documentary materials. The thesis project will also include a written portion, in addition to the practicum and documentation, that will provide a narrative basis in critical theory and current professional curatorial practice detailing the planning, implementation, and documentation of the project. The written thesis will be submitted in conformity with the regulations governing the form and presentation of the written master's thesis. 

Concentration in Studio Art

Students admitted to this concentration are expected to have completed training equivalent to an undergraduate major. 

A minimum of 12 credit hours in the concentration, exclusive of Thesis Guidance, must be at the 600-level

The Concentration in Studio Art will conclude with a thesis exhibition. The thesis exhibition, which must be authorized by the department, should take place during the candidate's last semester of study.

To accompany this exhibition, the candidate must submit a catalog containing a prefatory statement written by the candidate, a properly documented list of works in the exhibition, and photographic reproductions of the work in one of the following forms:

• Black and white photographs,
• Color photographs, or
• Slides placed in plastic sleeves to be bound into the thesis.

The catalog will be submitted in conformity with the regulations governing the form and presentation of the written master's thesis.