The M.A. program is designed to provide a broad and solid foundation in the history of art rather than specialization in one field. As a result, we encourage M.A. students to spend their first semester taking courses in areas they have not yet studied. One reason for encouraging enrollment in diverse areas is to prepare the students for seminars offered during the second, third, and fourth semesters. Ph.D. students are also encouraged to explore a wide range of courses, although the nature of their program is generally more specialized.

We also encourage students to learn from all of our department's faculty members and discourage them from taking most of their courses with only one or two faculty members.

Although Masters students sometimes are given permission to take classes outside the Department of Art History and Archaeology, Ph.D. candidates are encouraged to take non-art history classes in areas related to their course of study.