Going from a History MA to an Art History PhD

[MtrlHstryGrl]

Hello, everyone. I am currently a Master's student in history at a university without an official art history program, though with art history faculty. As an undergraduate, I took an art history course while studying abroad, sparking an interest in the subject. I will be taking a Visual Culture course in the fall and am applying to be a teaching intern for an undergraduate art history course in the same semester. Currently, I am a research assistant for my university's art historian, who is currently researching the aesthetics of textile gift-giving, as well as for a history professor who is doing work in dress theory in Ancient Egypt. I have fallen in love with art history research and am incredibly interested in a doctoral program in art history. 

Is it possible to go from a history MA to an art history PhD, given that I find a great fit mentor-wise, get great recommendations, etc.? 

[MtrlHstryGrl]

I should add that I am currently planning independent research on classical aesthetics and memory in the articulation of masculinity in Mussolini's Italy, for which I have applied for a research fellowship award through my institution. I would like to do similar work in graduate school, though I would like to focus on the Middle Ages in future graduate study. 

[killerbunny]

IMHO, I think you stand a good chance of making the leap from history to art history. A few considerations: doctoral programs typically require a minimum of art history courses for admission; though some allow you to make those up after you're admitted. The research that you are doing sounds fascinating and will certainly help. But I think it would behoove both your application and your preparation to take more art history classes, especially if you're thinking of the Middle Ages as your focus, which is a very rigorous area, requiring languages including Latin. If your focus as a history student lines up with your art history interests, all the better! More classes, particularly seminars in which you can really make an impression on instructors, will also increase your pool of recommendation writers who will have a good sense of you as a scholar. Also, if you want to line up your statement of purpose with your writing sample—and you do—you will need the opportunity to craft research papers under the guidance of specialists in the area you hope to study.

As you mention, finding a good mentor fit-wise is crucial. I would reach out to some whose scholarship appeals to you and write them, repeating pretty much what you are asking here, to get an idea of whether you're at the point where you're ready to apply to a PhD program. Of course, as you have probably heard or read on this forum, before you reach out, become familiar with the work of the professors you contact and get to know the field in general to devise knowledgeable research questions and a clear idea of the topics that interest you. 

Edited February 8, 2020 by killerbunny

[MtrlHstryGrl]

On 2/8/2020 at 9:39 AM, killerbunny said:

IMHO, I think you stand a good chance of making the leap from history to art history. A few considerations: doctoral programs typically require a minimum of art history courses for admission; though some allow you to make those up after you're admitted. The research that you are doing sounds fascinating and will certainly help. But I think it would behoove both your application and your preparation to take more art history classes, especially if you're thinking of the Middle Ages as your focus, which is a very rigorous area, requiring languages including Latin. If your focus as a history student lines up with your art history interests, all the better! More classes, particularly seminars in which you can really make an impression on instructors, will also increase your pool of recommendation writers who will have a good sense of you as a scholar. Also, if you want to line up your statement of purpose with your writing sample—and you do—you will need the opportunity to craft research papers under the guidance of specialists in the area you hope to study.

As you mention, finding a good mentor fit-wise is crucial. I would reach out to some whose scholarship appeals to you and write them, repeating pretty much what you are asking here, to get an idea of whether you're at the point where you're ready to apply to a PhD program. Of course, as you have probably heard or read on this forum, before you reach out, become familiar with the work of the professors you contact and get to know the field in general to devise knowledgeable research questions and a clear idea of the topics that interest you. 

This is very relieving to hear! I have emailed the art history professor that I am working with this semester to see if I could sit in on some of the art history courses that he teaches, as he does Renaissance art. I feel quite good about language; I am fluent in Italian, pretty good in French and Latin, and working in German-- I also have some knowledge of Czech for familial reasons. I took a course in Medieval Europe and worked well with the professor, so I am hoping that they would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation! 

I have been taking cursory looks at professors and have identified a few that I am interested in working with, so I plan to read some of their work prior to reaching out toward the end of the semester. Your post was very helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to give advice! 

[killerbunny]

2 hours ago, MtrlHstryGrl said:

This is very relieving to hear! I have emailed the art history professor that I am working with this semester to see if I could sit in on some of the art history courses that he teaches, as he does Renaissance art. I feel quite good about language; I am fluent in Italian, pretty good in French and Latin, and working in German-- I also have some knowledge of Czech for familial reasons. I took a course in Medieval Europe and worked well with the professor, so I am hoping that they would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation! 

I have been taking cursory looks at professors and have identified a few that I am interested in working with, so I plan to read some of their work prior to reaching out toward the end of the semester. Your post was very helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to give advice! 

Glad you got some benefit from my reply. That language background will serve you well. Best of luck to you! 

[MtrlHstryGrl]

I do want to add that I have applied to take art history courses at a local community college in order to better my chances!