MA in History of Art and Architecture in Boston United States | Boston University

Prospective students applying for the Master of Arts program in art and architectural history should possess academic preparation comparable to an undergraduate minor in our department at Boston University. Candidates lacking adequate coursework in art and architectural history may need to complete supplementary classes before gaining admission to the MA program. While the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences allows up to three years to fulfill degree requirements, the majority of students graduate within two years.

The general MA program in art and architectural history mandates completion of eight courses. Five of these must cover ten specialized areas, incorporating at least one Western and one non-Western course, a colloquium, an 800-level seminar, and a methodology course. Proficiency in a modern foreign language is also mandatory. The culminating requirement involves producing a Scholarly Paper, typically a revised version of a course paper that meets professional academic standards. This paper requires approval from both the faculty advisor and a second reader before submission to the Director of Graduate Studies for final endorsement.

Upon completing the MA in Art and Architectural History, graduates will:

Exhibit knowledge of both Western and non-Western artistic and architectural traditions
Develop skills to compose an original, research-driven Scholarly Paper on a specialized topic
Gain proficiency in art historical research techniques and analytical tools
Obtain qualifications for museum curatorial positions, other visual arts professions, or further art historical scholarship