Graduate Programs

[artistpoe]

This may be a silly question, but I can't seem to figure out how to get the information...so here it goes...How does one know what a departments strengths are?  I know Minnesota and Chicago's strengths are in Modern/Contemporary, but that's only because I live in Minnesota and have heard from others about there programs.  My interests are Medieval and Baroque, and I am trying to figure out how I find out if a departments strengths are those or not...sorry if this is a question everyone should know the answer to!

[Kiwi2]

I think it's a really good idea to start looking at profs that you want to work with. Think of some of your favorite articles/books and see where these authors teach and go from there. Try to find departments that have multiple professors that specialize in Medieval/Baroque art. I'm not too sure of strong art history programs with that specialty, but this is how I found good potential POI's and programs for my interests. 

Best of luck! 

[condivi]

Take a look at the faculty at various departments. Are the Medieval and Baroque specialists well know? Do you and your professors admire them? Have they published important/influential work? Have their students gone on to do important work? Those are about the only criteria. 

[Herbie]

It's not silly. You -could- order this:

http://www.collegeart.org/directories/

 

It's a very convenient and very valuable directory. It breaks down information if the school provides it as well: admission statistics, funding, etc. The reason I suggest CAA directories is because it is in print, and you don't have to fuddle with different websites with different information in different areas with different tabs and different colors and di---you get my idea. (Website changes/layouts have driven me CRAZY this school year)

 

You could also see, if the school lists, the amount of students in either MA/PhD programs that are graduating. They'll list thesis (MA theses are becoming less common) titles, dissertation projects.

 

Also look at the type of funding they provide - if they seem to have area-specific funding, that is a good indication as well. 

[uromastyx]

1) Ask professors that you know if they can provide any insight.

2) Yes, do explore the research and teaching interests of profs in these programs. What type of scholarship is coming from these departments??

3) Are there grad student profiles? What are their interests? What are the dissertations from recent years?

4) Often times, programs will list their 'strengths' or foci on the departmental webpage.

5) Simply email the graduate chair. Introduce yourself and ask whether your interests are explored by the department/profs.

[LLajax]

I would agree with uromastyx's suggestion to ask your current professors and/or current advisors. Naturally (especially if they happen to be in that field), they'll have an awareness of the field and who/where you should be looking at. Also, you could definitely spring for the CAA listing book- it was recently updated, which is nice.

 

You may also want to take a look at this list for medieval:

http://www.medievalart.org/htm/graduate_prgms.html

[artistpoe]

Thanks for all the advice!  It is greatly appreciated, I will definitely be look further at profs and into what current grad students are working on.  I also actually already have the CAA's directories, so perhaps I should look more carefully at them