Graduate Degrees in Art & Art History

Art & Art History

Art challenges, transforms and defies containment. Ranked among the top 25 fine arts programs in the nation, the Department of Art and Art History at CU Boulder, with the support of its highly active faculty, is committed to helping graduate students realize their individual visions as artists and art historians through our rigorous programs and mentorship.

The department offers three core graduate programs: a Master of Fine Arts in art practices; a Master of Arts in art history; and a Doctor of Philosophy in arts of the Americas. In a collaboration with the Leeds School of Business, we also offer two dual degree programs. Students can pursue a dual degree of an MFA/MBA or an MA/MBA. Candidates must apply to each program separately.

Degree Types

MFA ᐧ MFA/MBA ᐧ MA ᐧ MA/MBA ᐧ PhD

Ranked among the top 25 best fine arts programs in the nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)

Numerous state-of-the-art facilities and resources for creative exploration, including a woodshop, metal shop, darkroom, digital fabrication tools, kilns, student exhibition spaces, TECHNE and more

MA students are fully funded for the 2-year program; PhD students are fully funded for the first 2 years of the program

Degree Options & Application Requirements

Art Practices Art History Arts of the Americas

Art Practices

Master of Fine Arts

2.5-year program
54 credit hours
Students focus on one of several areas, including: ceramics, IMAP (digital, integrated arts, photography, video), painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture and poststudio practice, and film (in collaboration with the Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts)
The MFA thesis defense must be conducted while the student's work is on view during the MFA Exhibition.

Application Deadlines & Requirements

To learn about the upcoming term application deadlines, please visit the Graduate School website.

For program details, review the course catalog for the MFA in art practices.

Dual Degree MFA/MBA

The dual degree program is a collaboration between the Department of Art and Art History and the Leeds School of Business. Students can pursue a dual degree of an MFA/MBA. Admitted students spend their first year in one of the two programs, the second year in the other program, and the third year is a combination of the two. Candidates must apply to each program separately.

For program details, review the course catalog for the MFA in art practices and MBA.

Art History

Master of Arts

30 credit hours
2-year program
Thesis & thesis defense required

Application Deadlines & Requirements

To learn about the upcoming term application deadlines, please visit the Graduate School website.

For program details, review the course catalog for the MA in Art History.

Dual Degree MA/MBA

The dual degree program is a collaboration between the Department of Art and Art History and the Leeds School of Business. Students can pursue a dual degree of an MA/MBA. This three-year program offers students the opportunity to earn both degrees together in less time than if the degrees were earned sequentially. Candidates must apply to each program separately.

For program details, review the course catalog for the MA in art history and MBA.

Arts of the Americas

Doctor of Philosophy

60 credit hours
Dissertation required
Our program is intentionally small and selective, accepting one or two highly qualified, post-MA applicants each year.

Application Deadlines & Requirements

To learn about the upcoming term application deadlines, please visit the Graduate School website.

For program details, review the course catalog for the PhD in arts of the Americas.

Areas of Study

Art History
Ceramics
Film
Foundations
Interdisciplinary Media Arts Practices (IMAP)
Painting & Drawing
Printmaking
Sculpture & Post-Studio Practice

Learn More About Research Areas at CU Boulder

Funding Opportunities

We understand funding opportunities play a major role in helping you to decide whether a program is right for you. At CU Boulder, PhD students are supported through research and teaching assistantships. Students are also encouraged to apply for their own sources of funding.

Explore General Funding

Graduate Student Resources

Student success is best met with holistic support and resources. CU Boulder offers robust resources, programming and opportunities to help students establish meaningful connections, adjust to graduate student life and find assistance when they need it. Whether it’s academic, social, or health and wellness support, the university provides an array of resources to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Graduate Student Organizations