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The Art History Graduate Program provides a comprehensive Ph.D. curriculum aimed at equipping students for academic pursuits, museum professions, and various visual arts careers. Specializations currently available include: Global Modern and Contemporary studies, African American and African Diaspora art, Caribbean art, Early Modern periods, Asian art traditions, and Ancient through Medieval eras.
Our mid-sized department features ten permanent faculty members, one Weinberg College Fellow, visiting lecturers who broaden our academic scope, and several affiliated professors. The department's comparative and interdisciplinary approach fosters collaborative opportunities across Weinberg College and The Graduate School's various programs.
This top-tier program combines academic excellence with strong student support. Approximately 35 graduate students benefit from direct engagement with internationally recognized faculty who are actively engaged in research and publication. The curriculum leverages regional assets, including University of Chicago courses and Newberry Library collections. Students gain practical experience through collaborations with Chicago's Art Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Northwestern's Block Museum of Art.
Admitted students must hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a comparable non-U.S. degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Graduate Record Examination scores and TOEFL or IELTS scores (for foreign applicants). GRE scores are encouraged but not required for an Art History application. GREs must have been taken within 5 years of the quarter in which the applicant hopes to begin graduate study at Northwestern. TOEFL or IELTS must have been taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry.