CB21

Hello hello, I'm seriously looking at the Art Museum and Gallery Studies program at the University of Leicester in England. Due to the international nature will it be looked upon differently in the U.S.?

Hello all! Ideally I'd like to work in Art Museum Education/Engagement and eventually move into Museum Managaement or Leadership. Does it make more sense to do a general Art Museum Studies M.A. than a specific Art Museum Education M.A.? Or is this an unrealistic expectation of career climbing?

So far just SAIC, Goldsmiths, and University at Buffalo (visual studies). I'm mainly looking for schools with contemporary art or museum education. I want to focus on street art in my thesis. @feelthebern16

Ok, in hopes to better direct my education/career path, I was hoping someone could clarify the difference between Art History and Visual Studies for me. I am extremely interested in studying street art and teaching in some manner (whether through university, museum, or public art). Is Visual Studies a more appropriate field?

Thank you. And I whole-heartedly agree, if my school was just not-so-hot I would've stuck it out. I, thankfully, have found a few schools that will accept late applications. Here's hoping! If it's a no-go, then I will certainly heed your above advice. Do you think I should be straight forward about my situation or leave the school (and professors as references) out entirely?

I know for the PhD that it is a certain number of spots...not necessarily a specific deadline. So rolling basis, kind of. I do know for the PhD you need to be in contact with a professor willing to support your specific area of study.

Northeastregional, I appreciate the reassurance. It is a really bad situation, and I'm trying my best to not freak out. I know it is for the best. The timing is the killer, almost all good programs' deadlines have passed. SAIC did agree to take my application late, I'm very hopeful. Let me ask your opinion on this: As far as reference letters, I really only have my (now former) professors to ask. Is this a bad idea considering the direct connection to the school? I do have a good relationship with 3 professors with a standing GPA of 3.7. My background is in dance, and I graduated undergrad in '09. My art history connections are limited. I have been volunteering for a local arts org. but only for a few months.

I can certainly understand your view on this. Let me see if it at all changes with some added details. I currently attend Academy of Art University, the online (100% online) graduate program in Art History. I chose the school because at the time I didn't have other options, no schools near me that offered a graduate degree in Art History and I couldn't move to an on-campus program at the time. I did research on my school over the past two weeks and found multiple articles calling the school out on its money grubbing and less than commendable statistics. It's a for-profit school which accepts 100% of undergraduate applicants. The graduate program in art history is only about 2 years old and my advisor would not give me any stats on our program (not even how many were currently enrolled). I spoke to an alum of the (also new) undergrad program in Art History. She is now in a masters program but is working one-on-one with professors because her writing and critical thinking skills are way below her classmates'. When she was in the program a professor told her that she was a guinea pig and didn't need to be, that there were many better programs out there. I look at the work of my classmates and don't feel that it is graduate level work, there is only one professor that seems to actually push students and challenge them. Some just give A's while others give grades without comments on papers whatsoever (each, I've addressed). I do not feel like sinking another $30,00 into the institution to finish this lack-luster degree, especially with no internship or hands-on experience. At this point starting over, if it means properly, will be worth it to me. If you still think I'm crazy, please say so. AAU's current 5 yr. graduation rate is 33%. They said things to get me into the program and have had trouble delivering. (To give you an idea, getting ahold of a student I.D. was quite a task.) A focus had to be chosen at the beginning and only one class existed in my chosen focus, something that was later shoved off as, "we don't have focuses here, we want look at a wide range of topics", however I couldn't be admitted into the grad program until I had chosen said focus.

Thank you for this information, I am actually looking into the programs you've mentioned. It's a case now of whether they'll accept late applications or not. (I really don't want to have to wait until Fall 2017). So far SAIC will and Bard will not. I just hate to see my entire year of work wasted but I know that going to a legitimate program will be worth the sacrifice.

rising_star: Unfortunately because my undergraduate is in dance I feel I lack a fair amount however I'd not thought of this so I'll take a look at entry requirements for PhD programs. Thank you for your help!

So, to make a long story... not as long: I just completed 50% of my MA in Art History. I went to the CAA Conference and quickly discovered how much my school is not offering, that I was not being challenged, and it was just not a good fit overall. Last day for dropping courses without losing money was this past Saturday (the first week of classes). Not wanting to waste any more money, I dropped my courses. I am now searching for an MA or MA to PhD program that I can transfer into (preferably ones that will accept SOME credits earned already or one year MA programs). I don't want to lose more than a semester and am finding it hard to identify which schools accept transfers. I am currently just calling institutes to find out but could use some guidance in finding decent schools. My undergrad was in Dance so I am still fairly new to the field. I am interested in contemporary art and museum education. My passion is street art. Any help is appreciated.

I know this is late (just joined) but hope it helps. Don't know how reliable the ranked list is but it's a decent place to start. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=History%20of%20Art%2C%20Architecture%20%26%20Design