MA and PhD academic requirements for our graduate program can be found at Faculty of Graduate Studies—Program Requirements.
MA
By Major Research Paper (MRP) - 21 Credits
- 3 credits Methods, Theory and Historiography of Art History - GS ARTH 5100 3.0
- 18 credits graduate seminars in Art History or 15 credits graduate seminars in Art History plus:
- 3 credits approved Cognate (graduate level or 4th-year undergraduate course outside Art History)
- Non-credit Research and Professional Practices Seminar - GS ARTH 6000 0.0
- Non-credit Major Research Paper Seminar - GS ARTH 6010 0.0
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By Major Research Paper (MRP) with Curatorial Studies Diploma - 24 Credits
- 3 credits Methods, Theory, and Historiography of Art History - GS ARTH 5100 3.0
- 12 credits graduate seminars in Curatorial and Museum Studies including:
Museums and Galleries - GS ARTH 5170 3.0
Curatorial Practices - GS ARTH 5175 3.0
Placement - GS ARTH 5190 3.0
Art History Intensive Summer Institute - GS ARTH 6020 3.0
- 9 credits graduate seminars in Art History or 6 credits graduate seminars in Art History plus:
- 3 credits approved Cognate (graduate or 4th-year undergraduate course outside Art History)
- Non-credit Research and Professional Practices Seminar - GS ARTH 6000 0.0
- Non-credit Major Research Paper Seminar - GS ARTH 6010 0.0
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An examination testing reading knowledge of another language other than English
- The equivalent of writing a publishable article 35 to 50 pages in length including foot/endnotes, acknowledgments, bibliography, and list of illustrations
- For more detailed information, click here.
Five terms
PhD
Advanced Research and Dissertation Seminar - GS ARTH 6020 3.0 plus FOUR additional 3.0 credit courses among graduate seminars. Students may apply to take courses outside the program.
An examination testing the student’s reading knowledge of another language other than English as appropriate to the research program.
The comprehensive examination takes place in the fourth semester of study, during the fall semester of the second year. The intention for the comprehensive examinations is to demonstrate an understanding of the field and the context of scholarly intervention. It takes the form of one sit-down exam of five to six hours. The exam consists of two or three questions agreed upon by the supervisory committee, with a bibliography to be determined by the committee in consultation with the student. The questions are oriented in two specific ways to address (a) the breadth and (b) the depth of the bibliography. The comprehensive exam is graded as pass/fail, with the option to be rewritten once. It is be followed by an oral defense with the supervisory committee. The oral exam is likewise graded as pass/ fail, with the option to be retaken once. The comprehensive exam, then, involves the mastery and synthesis of key concepts and methodologies from a focussed body of literature in order to prepare the student for dissertation writing.
A dissertation on a topic approved by the program’s graduate executive committee presented and defended in accordance with the dissertation regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
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Major Research Paper Guidelines
The Major Research Paper (MRP) is an exercise in writing the equivalent of a publishable article. Therefore, it is to be 35-50 (and not exceeding 50!) pages in length, including foot/endnotes, acknowledgments, bibliography, and a list of illustrations. The paper should demonstrate the student¹s ability to undertake original research and should take the format of an article to be submitted for publication. It is normally expected that the MRP will develop from research or a paper submitted for a course within the M.A. Program in Art History, and could include work developing from an internship.
All MRPs must be based on a meaningful and manageable question or set of questions. Students are encouraged to informally discuss their ideas with individual faculty members. When a student determines an MRP topic that they would like to pursue they must present the proposal to the Graduate Program Director (GPD) for discussion, decide on an appropriate supervisor, and set up a committee. The MRP proposal (including Ethics forms) is normally submitted by the beginning of the 3rd (summer) term of study.
The committee for the MRP will consist of two suitable members of the Graduate Faculty; the supervisor must be a member of the Art History Graduate Faculty. A draft of the MRP must be submitted to your supervisor by the end of 4th (Fall) term in order to ensure convocation in June. It is the role of the supervisor and reader to guide the student in researching the chosen topic and in preparing the text in a suitable form. The MRP must be approved by the committee, and the Graduate Program Director, but does not involve a formal oral defense. A copy of the MRP is to be deposited with the Art History Graduate Program office.
Ethics procedures must be followed for every thesis or MRP, with extra required paperwork if there are human participants to be involved. Please visit Ethics Procedures for more information on how to complete the art historical ethics procedures.
MRP final copy due to the Graduate Program office by Friday, April 28, 2023, for students graduating in June 2023.
Unbound. Text to be printed in 12 pt. font, double-spaced, left justification only. Footnotes and/or endnotes are to be single-spaced and may be in a smaller font. Margins are to be one inch on top, bottom, and sides. The layout of MRP is as follows:
- Abstract
- MRP Title page
- Acknowledgments
- List of Illustrations
- Text with Footnotes
- Bibliography
- Illustrations
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Art History & Visual Culture at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.