Art History (Visual Arts)
Art History, Theory and Criticism (VA76)
Offering a distinct alternative to existing Ph.D. programs in art history, the program centers on a unique curriculum that places art objects and practices at the center of inquiry, even as it encourages examination of the larger historical, cultural, social, intellectual, and theoretical frameworks within which the category "art" has been contextualized in the most recent developments in the discipline. The program encompasses the study of both past and present art across a broad range that includes fine arts and media (film, video, photography, new media).
Program Info
| Area of Study | Division of Arts and Humanities |
| Specializations |
Ancient Art
|
| Department | Art History (Visual Arts) |
| Major | Art History, Theory and Criticism |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Admissions Terms | Fall |
| Additional Notes |
|
| Application Deadlines |
December 2, 2019 (Fall 2020) |
Basic Requirement
|
Admissions Tests |
GRE General is required. Request to send your GRE scores from the GRE website. The school code is 4836. The GRE department code is 2399. There are frequent internet-based test dates. Please make arrangements to take the exam no later than November. |
|
English Proficiency Exams (international applicants only) |
A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language. The following test(s) are accepted by this department:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The minimum score requirement is 90 on the TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Internet based test). Request to send your scores from the TOEFL website. Our school code is 4836. The TOEFL department code for PhD applicants is 26. There are frequent internet-based test dates. Please make arrangements to take the exam no later than November. IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Arrangements for taking the IELTS Academic Training exam may be made through the website. The university-wide minimum IELTS Academic Training exam score required for consideration for graduate admission is Band Score 7. Applicants with marginal scores on the English proficiency exam may be required to enroll in an English course until the required proficiency is attained. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Training exam -- Submit official test score reports to: Graduate Admissions, Mail Code 0003, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0003 The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). PTE Academic is a computer-based academic English language test bench-marked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). For registration and test information consult the PTE website. PLEASE NOTE: English Language Requirement for International Teaching Assistants (TA). International students whose native language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency before they may serve as teaching assistants. International graduate students who are nonnative speakers of English must be certified as having requisite language skills before they can serve as teaching assistants (TAs; UC San Diego Graduate Division policy in compliance with Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 41). Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Certification as Teaching Assistant Recommended Scores Students may be certified either on the basis of their score on one of the following: • have a TOEFL iBT Speaking subscore of 30 • have an IELTS Speaking subscore of 9.0 • have a PTE Speaking sub-score of 90, • be an international graduate student who serves as a language assistant in courses conducted in their native language. Those students with TOEFL speaking scores of 23 – 27, IELTS speaking scores of 7-8, or PTE speaking scores of 65-82 are required to take the English Language Certification Exam. Students who do not pass the English Language Certification Exam are given the opportunity to improve their language skills. Those students who are admitted but have a speaking TOEFL score below 23 will not be allowed to take the certification test. Students who fall into this category may acquire the required English language proficiency skills via courses offered in the English Language Institute and the English for Academic and Professional Development Program. |
|
Letters of Recommendation |
Minimum of 3 recommendations required. Letters of recommendation should come from individuals, preferably previous professors, who can best explain why you are prepared and would be successful in rigorous academic studies at the graduate level. |
|
Statement of Purpose |
Required Online Statement of Purpose Only. 750-1000 word limit, not to exceed 3 pages |
|
Resume/CV |
Recommended |
|
Additional Requirements |
Visual Arts Portfolio Requirements All applicants applying to the PhD in Art History, Theory and Criticism program must complete both the standard application via Grad Apply AND submit a Writing Sample in their Visual Arts Portfolio via SlideRoom. There is a non-refundable portfolio review fee of $5.00 (in addition to the university’s standard application fee) which you pay online via SlideRoom when you submit your materials. Applicants must submit the SlideRoom ID in the Grad Apply application. See the following link to view instructions - https://visarts-ucsd.slideroom.com/ The Writing Sample may be a senior honors thesis, M.A. thesis, or other research or critical paper, preferably in art or media history. The Visual Arts Portfolio in SlideRoom must be completed prior to finalizing your application in Grad Apply. We strongly suggest that you begin building your portfolio when you begin the application. Applicants must provide the SlideRoom ID in the section titled: "Visual Arts Department - Portfolio Submission Information" in their Grad Apply application. U.S. Citizens and permanent residents may request a fee waiver before submitting the application. An Application Fee Waiver request may be submitted upon completion of all components of the application, including the Visual Arts Portfolio. For more information on how to request a fee waiver, please see the link below. http://grad.ucsd.edu/admissions/faq/faq-application-fee.html#How-can-I-apply-for-a-waiver-of |
Contact Info
| Website http://visarts.ucsd.edu/grad/admissions.html |
| Email vis-grad@ucsd.edu |
| Campus Office Mandeville 216 |
| Phone (858) 534-2860 |
| Fax (858) 534-8651 |
|
Mailing Address
University of California, San Diego Mandeville Center 9500 Gilman Drive, #0327 La Jolla, CA 92093-0327 |
Art History, Art Practice (VA77)
The Art History program features a new concentration in Art Practice designed for artists engaged in advanced research who wish to pursue their work in an environment geared to doctoral study, and to produce studio work alongside a written dissertation. The addition of an Art Practice concentration was a natural outgrowth of the reciprocal relationship between history, theory and practice in the Visual Arts department. Rather than segregating art practice and history, UC San Diego's Visual Arts department brings practitioners, theorists and historians together to encourage innovative work at the boundaries of disciplines, discourses, and methodologies. Art practice students fulfill the same requirements as students working in other Ph.D. concentrations, including language exams, qualifying exams and the submission of a dissertation prospectus. Their dissertations, however, combine a shorter written component with a completed art project (film or video, exhibition, public work, etc.). The program is particularly well-suited for established artists with a research-based practice who are seeking the opportunity to reflect on that practice, and to develop new work in conjunction with a community of ambitious artists, historians and theorists. It is strongly recommended that applicants be at least three years removed from the completion of their masters degree program.
Program Info
| Area of Study | Division of Arts and Humanities |
| Department | Art History (Visual Arts) |
| Major | Art History, Art Practice |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Admissions Terms | Fall |
| Additional Notes |
All application materials, including the Visual Arts Portfolio, must be submitted online. We do not accept hard copies of materials. |
| Application Deadlines |
December 2, 2019 (Fall 2020) |
Basic Requirement
|
Admissions Tests |
GRE General is required. Request to send your GRE scores from the GRE website. The school code is 4836. The GRE department code is 2399. There are frequent internet-based test dates. Please make arrangements to take the exam no later than November. |
|
English Proficiency Exams (international applicants only) |
A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language. The following test(s) are accepted by this department:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The minimum score requirement is 90 on the TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Internet based test). Request to send your scores from the TOEFL website. Our school code is 4836. The TOEFL department code for PhD applicants is 26. There are frequent internet-based test dates. Please make arrangements to take the exam no later than November. IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Arrangements for taking the IELTS Academic Training exam may be made through the website. The university-wide minimum IELTS Academic Training exam score required for consideration for graduate admission is Band Score 7. Applicants with marginal scores on the IELTS exam may be required to pass an English proficiency test upon arrival at UCSD or enroll in an English course until the required proficiency is attained. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Training exam -- Submit official test score reports to: Graduate Admissions, Mail Code 0003, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0003 The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). PTE Academic is a computer-based academic English language test bench-marked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). For registration and test information consult the PTE website. PLEASE NOTE: English Language Requirement for International Teaching Assistants (TA). International students whose native language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency before they may serve as teaching assistants. International graduate students who are nonnative speakers of English must be certified as having requisite language skills before they can serve as teaching assistants (TAs; UC San Diego Graduate Division policy in compliance with Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 41). Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Certification as Teaching Assistant Recommended Scores Students may be certified either on the basis of their score on one of the following: • have a TOEFL iBT Speaking subscore of 30 • have an IELTS Speaking subscore of 9.0 • have a PTE Speaking sub-score of 90, • be an international graduate student who serves as a language assistant in courses conducted in their native language. Those students with TOEFL speaking scores of 23 – 27, IELTS speaking scores of 7-8, or PTE speaking scores of 65-82 are required to take the English Language Certification Exam. Students who do not pass the English Language Certification Exam are given the opportunity to improve their language skills. Those students who are admitted but have a speaking TOEFL score below 23 will not be allowed to take the certification test. Students who fall into this category may acquire the required English language proficiency skills via courses offered in the English Language Institute and the English for Academic and Professional Development Program. |
|
Letters of Recommendation |
Minimum of 3 recommendations required. Letters of recommendation should come from individuals, preferably previous professors, who can best explain why you are prepared and would be successful in rigorous academic studies at the graduate level. |
|
Statement of Purpose |
Required Online Statement of Purpose Only. 750-1000 word limit, not to exceed 3 pages. |
|
Resume/CV |
Recommended |
|
Additional Requirements |
Visual Arts Portfolio Requirements All applicants applying to the PhD in Art History, Theory and Criticism program, Art Practice Concentration, must complete both the standard application via Grad Apply AND submit an Artist Statement, a Writing Sample, and samples of their art in the Visual Arts Portfolio via SlideRoom. There is a non-refundable portfolio review fee of $5.00 (in addition to the university’s standard application fee) which you pay online via SlideRoom when you submit your materials. Applicants must submit the link to their SlideRoom ID in the Grad Apply application. See the following link to view instructions - https://visarts-ucsd.slideroom.com/ The Artist Statement should aim to explain, justify, extend, and/or contextualize your body of work, while placing your work in relationship to art history, theory, and the contemporary world. The Artist statement will be read by the admissions committee and your peers in the program, while the Statement of Purpose is reviewed by the admissions committee only. For this reason, applicants may upload their Statement of Purpose in the Artist Statement portion of the portfolio, given it addresses the prompt. The writing sample may be a senior honors thesis, M.A. thesis, or other research or critical paper, preferably in art or media history. The samples of your artwork should best showcase your research abilities and current/recent projects. You may create your Visual Arts Portfolio in a number of different formats. Our program is cross-disciplinary and it is not unusual for an applicant to have several different artistic mediums within their portfolio. The admissions committee is interested in seeing your most accomplished, recent work, rather than a chronology of work done over the span of your career. A good gauge would be to include work you've done within the last two years. The Visual Arts Portfolio in SlideRoom must be completed prior to finalizing your application in Grad Apply. We strongly suggest that you begin building your portfolio when you begin the application. Applicants must provide the SlideRoom ID in the section titled: "Visual Arts Department - Portfolio Submission Information" in their Grad Apply application. U.S. Citizens and permanent residents may request a fee waiver before submitting the application. An Application Fee Waiver request may be submitted upon completion of all components of the application, including the Visual Arts Portfolio. For more information on how to request a fee waiver, please see the link below. http://grad.ucsd.edu/admissions/faq/faq-application-fee.html#How-can-I-apply-for-a-waiver-of |
Contact Info
| Website http://visarts.ucsd.edu/grad/admissions.html |
| Email vis-grad@ucsd.edu |
| Campus Office Mandeville 216 |
| Phone (858) 534-2860 |
| Fax (858) 534-8651 |
|
Mailing Address
University of California, San Diego Mandeville Center 9500 Gilman Drive, #0327 La Jolla, CA 92093-0327 |