Degrees
The Department of Art and Art History affirms the power of art to transform individuals and society.
In 2010, the Department of Art and Art History moved to its 170,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, the Visual Arts Complex located at the heart of the CU campus near downtown Boulder.
The Graduate Art & Art History Degree Program
Ranked 23rd best fine arts program in the nation!
US News and World Report, 2024
Students who are accepted into our graduate programs join the University of Colorado-Boulder Graduate School, which serves the broader graduate student community, faculty, and staff, at one of the nation’s premier comprehensive research universities. The Graduate School offers guidance on a wide array of academic, social, and financial issues, and can assist in navigating the often complex world of graduate education. Serving as an umbrella organization since 1892, the Graduate School currently oversees 100 graduate and professional programs. The Graduate School works to guarantee a standard of quality and cohesion across all disciplines, ensuring the continuing integrity and value of a CU-Boulder graduate degree. The Graduate School also helps make possible the many connections between the campus and outside constituencies, in the state, the nation, and the world.
Application Deadlines:
December 1st (international applicants)
January 15th (domestic applicants)
The Graduate Information Session provides prospective graduate students with a broad overview of CU Boulder’s graduate program offerings, opportunities for CU Boulder graduate students and helpful resources for graduate students across the disciplines.
Questions about the art history or art practices graduate degree program? Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, art.grad@colorado.edu
MFA in Arts Practices
The MFA in Art Practices is a rigorous program intended for artists committed to pursuing a professional life in the arts. It prepares students for careers as practicing artists and arts professionals as well as teachers in colleges, universities, and art schools. During the two and half-year program, students focus on one of several fields including, Ceramics, Film, IMAP (photography, digital media, video, integrated arts), Painting and Drawing, Printmaking, and Sculpture and Post-Studio Practice.
MA in Art History
The MA in Art History is a rigorous 2-year program that provides students with a broad knowledge of Art History and equips them with skills in its methodologies. Graduates who have achieved a distinguished record in our program should be well prepared for acceptance into doctoral programs in Art History or related disciplines. Many of our students who do not pursue the Ph.D. go on to careers in the museum world, as well as non-profit, for-profit, education, and related fields.
Ph.D. in Arts of the Americas
The Ph.D. in Arts of the Americas emphasizes the cross-cultural circulation of visual culture in the Americas from ancient to contemporary times. Our program encourages students to think across subfields and to situate American visual culture in the fluid circuits of cross-cultural exchange, as well as global intellectual and trade networks. Our accelerated Ph.D. program is ideal for students who already have an MA in Art History or an equivalent degree, including professionals in the art field seeking an opportunity to advance in their career by earning a Ph.D.
Graduate School Campus Resources
The Graduate School serves as the intellectual crossroads of the university. More than 5,000 graduate students from around the world come to CU Boulder to pursue graduate certificates, masters and doctoral degrees in over 150 programs. We offer degrees across a full range of disciplines which alongside our robust interdisciplinary programs and institutes provide an outstanding environment in which to pursue graduate work. Explore the Graduate School's Professional Development opportunities
The Center for Teaching & Learning fosters a community of educators dedicated to supporting teaching and learning, a cornerstone of our university. Our goal is to transform our teachers and students in their educational practice, inspire innovative and evidence-based teaching, and create a culture of continuous improvement. Through the CTL, we strive to promote a diverse and inclusive community of educators and learners who serve as the hallmark of our student-centered campus.
The Hazel Barnes Flat in the heart of London is a gift to scholars in the humanities and arts by Hazel Barnes (1915-2008), the much admired professor of Philosophy at CU-Boulder and founder of the Interdisciplinary Program in the Humanities. Her will stipulates that the flat be made available to CU-Boulder faculty and graduate students in the humanities and the arts, and that its operation be entrusted to the Center for Humanities and the Arts and its director. The flat is arranged so that two independent parties may stay there at the same time, if necessary. There are two bedrooms (the second has just a single bed, however), and two bathrooms.
The Dennis Small Cultural Center exists to serve underrepresented student groups on the CU-Boulder campus by providing programmatic support and a safe space for cultural expression and community gatherings. It serves the campus community as a whole by providing opportunities to enhance cultural awareness and celebrate diversity. The DSCC is committed to facilitating programs and resources that contribute to the intellectual, cultural, social, ethical and personal growth of all students. Their office is located in UMC 457.
Special Collections houses rare works and contemporary artworks that support teaching and research in the arts, humanities, and sciences. The Archives of Special Collections contains more than 1500 collections and 50,000 linear feet of materials, including manuscripts, correspondence, files, diaries, photographs, posters, newspapers and published works. Established in 1917, the Archives holds internationally renowned manuscripts, photographs, records and media collections relating to Colorado, the Rocky Mountain West and transnational subjects. It also serves as a repository for the records of the University of Colorado Boulder. Special subject collections reflect the interests and research of the CU-Boulder community and the state. The SCA Reading Room (Norlin N345) is open to all students, scholars and members of the general public who wish to use our materials. Email spc@colorado.edu or call 303-492-6144 to schedule an appointment. You can also request copies and scans of materials.
ATLAS is an interdisciplinary institute for radical creativity and invention. We transform ingenious ideas into reality through research, experimentation and critical thinking. With labs and academic programs that inspire out-of-the-box ideas and creative exploration, ATLAS is a vibrant and exciting community of technology visionaries who reach beyond convention, take risks and innovate.
GPSG represents graduate and professional students at the University of Colorado Boulder. We support initiatives that empower graduate and professional students’ ability to pursue their goals. We promote actions that benefit their academic, professional and socioeconomic well-being.
Graduate certificates are available in a variety of departments across campus. A certificate usually consists of four additional courses taken in a department outside of your home department. While graduate certificates are not required to attain a graduate degree in Art History, a few certificates that may be of interest to art and art history students include:
A comprehensive list of On-Campus Resources including the Gender and Sexuality Center, Career Services, Dining and Housing, CU Nightride, the Recreation Center, the Office of Student Conduct, and the Office of Victims Assistance is highlighted on the main campus website.
Student Affairs encompasses many resources and services that support student success —where students live, eat, make friends, build professional skills and find help if needed.
Mentorship: Find out how to get involved and find more mentorship resources.
Explore the CU Boulder Awards & Grants offered to graduate students.
Throughout the lifecycle of an award, the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) partners with faculty, staff and students to obtain and manage external support for sponsored activities through our specialized regulatory and organizational expertise.
Professional development is a vital element of graduate education. Implementing a holistic approach is imperative as we address the diverse needs of our students. The Graduate School provides many different offerings to help students work towards their goals in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Undergraduate Art History Degree Programs
The art history program teaches students how to analyze art within many contexts, including historical, intellectual, cultural, political, social and stylistic. In addition to examining diverse methodologies, introductory and upper-division courses cover artistic production from a wide range of cultures and periods, including medieval art, early modern art, pre-Columbian art, Colonial Latin American art, Asian art, Native North American art, modern art and architecture, contemporary art, critical theory and museology. Please explore the CU Boulder Campus Catalog for detailed information about this degree.
The Department of Art and Art History offers a minor in art history for undergraduate students, regardless of college or school, who are interested in the field. Details about this degree requirement can be found in the CU Boulder Campus Catalog.
CU Boulder offers an opportunity for students to receive a bachelor's and master’s degree in a shorter period of time through bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree programs. More information about the BAM program can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website.
Undergraduate Art Practices Degree Programs
The BA in art practices allows students to explore their interests and refine their skills in ceramics, integrated media arts practices (IMAP; photography, digital media, video, integrated arts), painting and drawing, printmaking, and sculpture and post-studio practice. Students gain a broad understanding of the field of contemporary art and experience in contemporary art practices while pursuing a liberal arts degree at the university. More information can be found in the CU Boulder Campus Catalog.
Application Deadline: October 15th for Fall semester and March 15th for Spring semester
The BFA in art practices is a more in-depth degree intended for motivated students interested in and committed to pursuing a professional career in the arts. Students gain training in studio techniques and post-studio practice, an overview of historical and contemporary artists and movements, and an introduction to criticism. Additionally, students participate in the BFA Seminar, are eligible to enroll in the Visiting Artist Seminar and present work in the culminating BFA exhibition. Degree requirements can be found in the CU Boulder Campus Catalog.
The Department of Art and Art History offers a minor in art practices for undergraduate students who are interested in studio arts. Degree requirements can be found in the CU Boulder Campus Catalog.
Our Post-Baccalaureate option is for artists who have finished their undergraduate degree and would like additional time and space to develop work while immersed in a dynamic community of artists.
During their time at CU, post-bac students develop lasting professional relationships with their peers and faculty, relationships that often continue to influence their work as artists throughout their professional careers.
Application Deadlines: April 15th for the Fall semester and November 15th for the Spring semester
Jean Goldstein, Administrative Assistant
Jean.Goldstein@Colorado.edu
303.492.3580, Office VAC, #330
Art & Art History Undergraduate Advisors:
Sarah Matsuda
Art & Art History; Film Advisor
sarah.matsuda@colorado.edu
303.492.1439, office VAC #304
Rick Seydel
Art & Art History; Classics; Humanities; Philosophy Advisor
richard.seydel@colorado.edu
303.492.7076, office VAC #305
The Miramontes Arts & Sciences Program (MASP) is an inclusive academic community in the College of Arts & Sciences comprised of motivated students dedicated to pursuing academic excellence at CU Boulder. MASP supports traditionally underrepresented and/or first-generation college students who want to be part of a diverse, multicultural academic enrichment community. MASP is a cooperative and collaborative program that offers a participation scholarship and dedicated space for activities, advising, studying, and seminars.
The Student Academic Success Center is a multi-cultural academic learning community, serving low income and first generation college students with academic skills development, math and writing courses, supplementary instruction in gateway courses, tutoring, pre-collegiate opportunities and graduate research opportunities.
A student may graduate with Departmental Honors, General Honors or both.
Requirements include creating an independent research project and presenting it for oral defense. Departmental Honors requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. For General Honors, the Honors Program offers special seminars for students whose G.P.A. is 3.3 or higher as part of the General Honors requirements. Students interested in graduating with honors should contact their departmental representative during their Junior year. The Honors Program application information including deadlines and additional details can be found at Arts & Sciences Honors Program.
Art & Art History Department undergraduate contacts are:
Robert Nauman (Art History) or Marina Kassianidou (Art Practices)
If you are interested in applying to this program please contact your department representatives at the beginning of your junior year.
The Arts & Sciences Honors Program is located in Norlin Library, M400M
CU Boulder has a rich culture for cultivating undergraduates as emerging scholars, artists and practicing researchers. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides consultation services, informational workshops, and grants to promote undergraduate research as a high-impact learning practice for student success. Each year UROP funds hundreds of students who produce new knowledge and creative work in partnership with CU's world-class faculty.