Welcome to the Master's degree in Art History!
Our program now boasts a faculty contingent of equal parts - four western focused and four non-western 
focused. We believe that this enables us to provide the most effective and up-to-date way to educate the next generation of art historians. Our faculty prides itself on collaboration with our students and many conference papers and journal articles have come out of these partnerships. We also have a flexible plan of study - only four courses are required, leaving seven electives that allow each student to shape their area of focus prior to writing their qualifying paper. Our students have found the quality of their education to be high, their colleagues to be diligent and focused, and the Twin Cities to be an engaged arts community. Their contributions to the profession have been just as outstanding as they have found positions as adjunct faculty, Ph.D. candidates, and curators.
Victoria M. Young
Director, Master of Arts in Art History
Mission Statement
The Master of Arts in Art History program at the University of St. Thomas prepares its graduate students for the variety of professional opportunities in the discipline.
The curriculum introduces students to the processes of scholarly research in art history and the presentation of its results in a variety of professional and public venues.
Graduate courses focus on issues and problems in art history, the process of defining and carrying out a research agenda, the use of various methodologies and theories to define and interpret evidence, the ability to read both analytically and critically, and to utilize both original and scholarly resources.
The program emphasizes an inclusive perspective that encompasses a range of media and global cultures and a contextual approach to art that examines its social, economics, political, and religious importance.
The program builds awareness of the ethical and culturally specific issues of research related to the field, including professional standards for work with human subjects.
