Overview

The Art History programme at Southern Methodist University offers an intellectually rigorous environment designed to prepare scholars for professional success in the global art world. This Master of Arts degree focuses on deep research, critical analysis, and close collaboration between students and distinguished faculty members.

The curriculum is structured around 36 credit hours of advanced study, typically completed over four semesters. Students engage in three graduate seminars per term, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of diverse historical periods and theoretical frameworks. A significant component of the second year is the completion of a master's thesis, which represents six credit hours of original research overseen by a dedicated faculty committee.

Why Art History at Southern Methodist University?

Students at this institution benefit from an intimate learning environment where graduate seminars are strictly limited to six or eight participants. This small-scale setting fosters vibrant intellectual exchange and allows for personalised mentorship that extends from initial matriculation through to graduation and subsequent career placement.

The Meadows School of the Arts provides exceptional facilities and a lively calendar of extracurricular academic events. These include the renowned Comini Lectures, work-in-progress seminars, and specialised professionalisation workshops. Such resources ensure that students are well-integrated into the broader academic community while developing practical skills for their future careers.

Financial support is a cornerstone of the experience, with all admitted students receiving fellowship support. This includes a scholarship covering the full cost of tuition and fees, alongside teaching assistantships for both first and second-year students. Furthermore, the university provides dedicated funding for summer research to support primary data collection and archival visits between the first and second years of study.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 1600 per credit
National fee: USD 1600 per credit
Local fee: USD 1600 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to balance broad historical knowledge with specialised research capabilities. Modules may include:

Art History
Affective Minimalism
Graduate Colloquium
M.A. Thesis

Careers with Art History

Graduates are prepared for a variety of high-level roles within the cultural and academic sectors. The programme's emphasis on professionalisation workshops and teaching assistantships equips students with the necessary experience for roles in gallery management, curatorial practice, and arts administration. Many students also use this M.A. as a definitive stepping stone toward doctoral research and university-level teaching positions.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Ancient Art History

Directed Topics in Art History

Medieval Art History

Renaissance and Baroque Art History

Modern Art History

British and American Art History

World Art History

Undergraduate Seminar Classes

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

36 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Dallas, United States

Disciplines

Art History View 204 other Masters in Art History in United States

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

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Other requirements

General requirements

Transcripts

Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation should be requested from professors who know the personal and academic qualifications of the applicant.

Personal statement

Writing Sample

GRE
Non-U.S. citizens who are residents outside the U.S. must take the TOEFL (iBT is preferred) and achieve a minimum overall score of 80 with minimums in each section of 20.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

57600 USD / year

≈ 57600 USD / year
Out-of-State

57600 USD / year

≈ 57600 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

57600 USD / year

≈ 57600 USD / year

Living costs

Dallas

United States

1140 - 1925 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Art History.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Dallas

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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