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UTSA student reading an art history textbook.

Why Pursue a Master's Degree in Art History

The Art History program provides an opportunity to gain strong foundations while specializing in historical and cultural arenas in the history of art. The curriculum prepares students for active participation in the diverse contexts of contemporary culture and society, and our students possess skills for careers that value facility with critical and creative research and thinking. They flourish in curatorial and administrative careers in an array of arts and cultural institutions, as well as a variety of professions rooted in the liberal arts.

Areas of Emphasis

Students gain knowledge of diverse cultural histories; artists, artisans, patrons and institutions; methods, materials, and styles; and critical, practical, and aesthetic considerations.

  • Spanish, pre-Columbian, Latin American Colonial to Modern, contemporary Hispanic art in the United States
  • Contemporary United States art and criticism
  • Cultural and artistic traditions of San Antonio’ s immediate region
Three UTSA students examining and discussing a mixed media art sculpture.

Admission & Application Requirements

Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.

Art History (MA)
  Required Degree Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
  Minimum GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours
  Coursework 18 credit hours in an area related to this graduate degree and at least 12 hours must be at the upper-division level.
  Transcripts* Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English
  Credential Evaluation Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) directly from the graduate admission application platform
  English Language Proficiency 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100
  Purpose Statement Required
  Letters of Recommendation 3 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time)
  Writing Sample Required
*Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University.
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Application Deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.

Art History (MA)
Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application.
Application Deadlines for: Priority International Domestic
Spring 2025 Not Available October 1 October 1
Summer 2025 Not Available Not Available Not Available
Fall 2025 February 1 May 1 May 1
Spring 2026 Not Available October 1 October 1
Summer 2026 Not Available Not Available Not Available

Funding Opportunities

Resources

Career Options

UTSA prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below is data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.


Kristy Masten headshot

Graduate Advisor of Record

Kristy Masten, PhD

210-458-7248

kristy.masten@utsa.edu