Please note: We are not recruiting into the Art History Track for the 2025-2026 academic year. We encourage prospective applicants to apply to the Department of Art and Art History's Art History Master’s ProgramÌý²¹²Ô»å Museum and Field Studies Professional CertificateÌýconcurrently. For any questions please contact mfsinfo@colorado.edu.Ìý

The art historyÌýtrack in the MFS Program is open to applicants who holdÌýa B.A. degree in the liberal arts, preferably with a major in art history. This track addresses issues specific to the research and curation of artworks. The curriculum provides students with academic training in art history and offers students first-hand museum experience in curatorial and collections work through exhibitions practica and collections research.

Course Requirements

Thesis Plan Course Requirements

5011: Intro. to Museums (4)
5051: Collections Management (3)
ARTHÌý6929: Theories of Art History (3)
Subtotal MFS Requirements: 10

At least one of the following:
5041: Museum Administration (3)
5031: Exhibit Development (3)
5030: Museum Education (3)
Subtotal Required: 3

Plus:
5000+: Cognate hours** (12)
6950: Thesis (4-6)
Seminar, Independent Study, Practicum (1-3)
Subtotal Required: 19

Total required hours: 32
Plus 150 hours of internship

Project Plan Course Requirements

5011: Intro. to Museums (4)
5051: Collections Management (3)
ARTHÌý6929: Theories of Art History (3)
Subtotal MFS Requirements: 10

At least one of the following:
5041: Museum Administration (3)
5031: Exhibit Development (3)
5030: Museum Education (3)
Subtotal Required: 3

Plus:
5000+: Cognate hours** (12)
6960: Project (4)
Seminar, Independent Study, Practicum (3)
Subtotal Required: 19

Total required hours: 32
Plus 150 hours of internship

**Cognate (or specialty) hours may include 5000+ level courses, practicum work, graduate art history seminars, andÌýup toÌý6 hours of 3000 or 4000 level classes, if appropriate. Up toÌý6 cognate hours may be taken outside art history pertinent to the thesis or project.

Committee

A committee of at least three graduate faculty members will be selected during the first year of study, by consultation between the student and his or her advisor. At least one member of the committee must be a tenured or tenure-track member of the Museum faculty. A student and advisor may apply for an exception in writing, which must be approved by the MFS Program Director. The committee will serve as program advisors and as the defense committee for the comprehensive examination andÌýthe thesis or project.

Art History Track Requirements