Art History (MAIS)
Art History (MAIS)
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) in Art History. Before admission to candidacy by the Art Department, applicants must have completed, or must complete as leveling work, eighteen hours of undergraduate upper division art history courses unless they have already earned a Master of Fine Arts degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Graduate art history majors are required to consult with the graduate art history advisor concerning coursework and schedules until admitted to candidacy. Candidates may elect a thesis option or a non- thesis option for this degree.
- Ranked #79 among 300+ national universities by Washington Monthly in 2018
- Accredited, cutting edge degree program
- Experienced, dedicated faculty
- Affordable tuition (ranked #1 in net price among national universities by Washington Monthly in 2018 and #3 most affordable university in America 2018 by BestValueSchools.com)
- Demonstrated student success in research, professional certification and career advancement
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. There is no application fee.
Step #2: Request your official transcripts to be sent electronically to gradapps@utrgv.edu or mailed to:
Review and submit all Program Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent with at least 18 hours of undergraduate upper division art history courses, unless applicant has already earned a Master of Fine Arts degree.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- Resume including educational background and work experience.
- GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. For additional information, visit the Additional Documents for Domestic Applicants who Attend Foreign Universities section of our website.
- Certified English translation of educational records.
Additional requirements for international applicants:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. For additional information, visit the English Proficiency Exam section of our website.
- Certified English translation of educational records.
- Financial Documentation showing sufficient funds to cover all expenses (living and academic) for the first year of study. For additional information, visit the Financial Documentation section of our website.
- Immigration documents, including a current copy of your valid passport. For additional information, visit the Immigration Documents section of our website.
UPDATE ON INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS FROM U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT:
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SEVP regulations prohibit the issuance of a Form I-20 based on conditional admission, effective July 13, 2016. University officials can only issue a Form I-20 when students have met all standards for admission for the program of study listed on the Form I-20. These standards for admission include any English proficiency requirements.
Deadlines:
Applications will be accepted year round and prospective students are encouraged to apply at least 2 months before classes start to ensure a timely application review. Applying early will also give prospective students the best opportunity to be considered for scholarships and other possible funding opportunities.
*Note: This program only admits applicants during Fall, Spring, Summer I and Summer II semesters.
| Residency | Per 3-Credit Hour Course | Semester (9-Credit Hours) | Total Estimated Cost |
| Texas Resident | $1,481.39 | $3,894.17 | $17,776.68 |
| Non-Resident/International | $2,708.39 | $7,575.17 | $32,500.68 |
*We estimate that tuition and fees will closely approximate the rates shown above; however, rates are subject to change. Please note that the rates above are estimated for on-campus students and those enrolled in 16-week online programs. The rate is different for Accelerated Online Programs (AOP). Visit the tuition and fees page for detailed information.
| Required Courses | 3 |
| ARTS 6356: Art History Seminar VI: Research Methods in Latin American Art and Architectural History | 3 |
| Choose one of the following options: | |
| Thesis Option | |
| Art History Courses | 9 |
| Chosen from the following: | |
| ARTS 6350: Art History Seminar I: Topics in European Art | 3 |
| ARTS 6351: Art History Seminar II: Topics in American Art | 3 |
| ARTS 6352: Art History Seminar III: Topics in Latin American Art Prior to A.D. 1521 | 3 |
| ARTS 6353: Art History Seminar IV: Topics in Latin American Art Since A.D. 1521 | 3 |
| ARTS 6354: Topics in Art History | 3 |
| ARTS 6355: Art History Seminar V: Topics in Viceregal Latin American Art | 3 |
| ARTS 6357: Advanced Studies in Art History and Criticism | 3 |
| Electives from two academic fields outside of Art and Art History (9 hours from each) | 18 |
| Capstone Requirement | 6 |
| Thesis | |
| ARTS 7303: Thesis | 3 |
| ARTS 7304: Thesis II | 3 |
| Oral presentation at the close of the first semester of ARTS 7303 Oral Thesis defense at the close of the second semester of ARTS 7303 | |
| Total graduate hours for degree: | 36 |
| Non‐Thesis Option: | |
| Art History Seminar Elective Courses | 15 |
| Chosen from the following: | |
| ARTS 6350: Art History Seminar I: Topics in European Art | 3 |
| ARTS 6351: Art History Seminar II: Topics in American Art | 3 |
| ARTS 6352: Art History Seminar III: Topics in Latin American Art Prior to A.D. 1521 | 3 |
| ARTS 6353: Art History Seminar IV: Topics in Latin American Art Since A.D. 1521 | 3 |
| ARTS 6354: Topics in Art History | 3 |
| ARTS 6355: Art History Seminar V: Topics in Viceregal Latin American Art | 3 |
| ARTS 6357: Advanced Studies in Art History and Criticism | 3 |
| Electives from two academic fields outside of Art and Art History (9 hours from each) | 18 |
| Capstone Requirement | |
| Written Comprehensive Exam | |
| Total graduate hours for degree: | 36 |
Course Descriptions
ARTS 6350: Art History Seminar I: Topics in European Art [3‐0]
Seminar/lecture on selected topics of European art history will be presented. Paper required.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
ARTS 6351: Art History Seminar II: Topics in American Art [3‐0]
Seminar/lecture on selected topics in American art history will be presented. Paper required.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
ARTS 6352: Art History Seminar III: Topics in Latin American Art Prior to A.D. 1521 [3‐0]
Seminar/lecture on selected topics in Latin American art prior to A.D. 1521 will be presented. Paper required.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
ARTS 6353: Art History Seminar IV: Topics in Latin American Art Since A.D. 1521 [3‐0]
Seminar/lecture on selected topics in Latin American art since A.D. 1521 will be presented. Paper required.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
ARTS 6354: Topics in Art History [3‐0]
Seminar/lecture concerned with the philosophical overviews of selected art epochs will be presented. Paper required.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
ARTS 6355: Art History Seminar V: Topics in Viceregal Latin American Art [3‐0]
Seminar/lecture on selected topics of Viceregal Latin American art and architecture from the founding of the city of Santa Domingo in 1502 to the end of Spanish hegemony in 1821.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
ARTS 6356: Art History Seminar VI: Research Methods in Latin American Art and Architectural History [3‐0]
Seminar on the major theoretical and critical lines of inquiry and their application to advanced research in selected topics of Latin American, Mexican or Latin@ art or architecture. Paper required. This is the capstone course for the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Art History.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
ARTS 6357: Advanced Studies in Art History and Criticism [3‐0]
Analysis of selected areas of art history and criticism from established periods and styles of art.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Bachelor’s degree that included six hours of advanced art history. Candidates must submit a portfolio of their art work and be interviewed by the graduate art faculty or graduate advisor before registering for this course.
ARTS 6358: Design History and Criticism [3‐0]
In a broad sense the seminar examines the history and ethnography of material objects. This includes utilitarian and symbolic invested things. To close the gap between this vast agenda and our closest interest, the history of graphic design, we focus our concern on printed materials, looking even closer to the combination of text and image in the mass printed page from antiquity to the digital era.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing, interview with instructor, and submission of a portfolio.
ARTS 6359: Topics in Museum Studies [3‐0]
This course explores museum theory and practice in a changing technological, social, and political environment. It examines technology’s critical role in today’s museum and investigates new models of education, exhibition, and business strategies while considering the institutional role of the museum in society.
ARTS 7303: Thesis [3‐0]
Student will complete a thesis in accord with the regulations of the Graduate College during the final semester of study. Studio and Design Majors, this will be the final requirement for completion of the MFA degree and will be taken in conjunction with ARTS 7300.
ARTS 7304: Thesis II [3‐0]
This course provides a basic and broad description of astrophysics related to sources of gravitational radiation, gravitational wave detectors, numerical relativity, and data analysis.
