Graduate Degree Requirements

The intensive program is designed to launch graduates directly into top doctoral programs or careers in the arts.

The two-year Master’s program at the O’Donnell Institute is a rigorous, immersive experience.

During the program, students take two required art history foundations courses in addition to five master’s seminars. Beginning in the third term, students conduct research for the Master’s thesis in collaboration with a faculty advisor as part of the practicum component of the program.



Course Requirements

Foundation I: Practices of Art History (3 credit hours)

Foundation II: History of Materials and Techniques (3 credit hours)

Graduate Seminars (15 credit hours)

Practicum (15 credit hours)

For course descriptions, see the UT Dallas Graduate Catalog.


Typical Course of Study


Semester 1
Foundation I: Practices of Art History
Master's Seminar in Art History
Master's Seminar in Art History

Semester 2
Foundation II: Approaches to the History of Material and Techniques
Master's Seminar in Art History
Master's Seminar in Art History

Semester 3
Master's Seminar in Art History
Practicum
Practicum

Semester 4
Practicum
Practicum
Practicum

Practicum

In the Practicum project, students design and carry out an original project in the form of a scholarly essay, a small exhibition, a collaboration with a practicing artist, or archival research. The Practicum must be completed by the end of the fourth semester of enrollment.

Practicum projects may be carried out in collaboration with the O’Donnell Institute’s partner institutions in Dallas-Fort Worth or at the Museo di Capodimonte in Naples.



Download the MA in Art History Degree Plan.


Miniature Mountain with Emperor Qianlong’s inscription, China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Qianlong period (1736-95), nephrite, Courtesy Crow Collection of Asian Art