Master of Arts/ PhD in History of Art and Architecture in Santa Barbara United States | University of California, Santa Barbara

The Department of History of Art and Architecture equips students for advanced studies leading to professions as art and architecture scholars, critics, museum and gallery specialists, as well as careers in arts administration and heritage conservation. The program provides comprehensive degree options covering all historical periods and artistic mediums, from Antiquity to Modern times, with specialized focus areas in African, Chinese, Islamic, and Latin American art. The faculty boasts particular depth in early-modern and contemporary art studies, along with architectural and urban history. Many professors bring substantial museum experience, theoretical knowledge, and fieldwork background, including archaeological investigations. Resources include a top-tier Arts Library, Image Collection, Architectural Drawing Archive, and the campus Art, Design & Architecture Museum. The Ph.D. curriculum blends structured training with adaptable study plans to cultivate innovative approaches to art historical scholarship. Students can pursue either a joint M.A./Ph.D. track or direct Ph.D. admission, tailoring their research to intersect with faculty specialties such as feminist art theory, visual-textual analysis, artistic technologies, collection studies, and urban cultural landscapes. Museum career aspirants benefit from partnerships with prominent Southern California institutions like UCSB's own museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, LACMA, UCLA's Fowler Museum, and the Getty Museum. Our graduate program develops analytical thinkers who critically examine visual culture and architectural environments. While prioritizing doctoral studies (with approximately 45 enrolled students), the department maintains intentionally small incoming classes to foster strong faculty mentorship from the outset. Note that standalone Master's degrees are not offered.