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The Art History Department provides a Master of Arts program designed for students seeking to expand their understanding of art and the analytical approaches used in art scholarship. After earning their M.A., Penn alumni have secured curator roles at museums, auction houses, and galleries nationwide and locally. Many graduates also leverage their M.A. as a foundation for Ph.D. studies, gaining acceptance into top-tier doctoral programs both domestically and internationally. Faculty members offer personalized guidance to M.A. candidates, helping them reach their academic objectives and prepare for professional advancement. This two-year terminal degree program does not guarantee automatic progression to the Ph.D. track - interested students must submit a separate application. While University Fellowships are typically unavailable for M.A. candidates, students may pursue external funding opportunities to support their graduate education.
Applicants for master’s and doctoral programs must have obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited School or University prior to intended matriculation date.
A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. Applicants whose families do not speak English at home, or applicants who have not attended a high school or secondary school where the primary language of instruction is English, are asked to take the TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, administered by the Educational Testing Service. In the event the TOEFL is not readily accessible, Penn will accept results from the IELTS, the International English Language Testing System.