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Home Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology Current Art History MA Students Requirements for Masters in Art History

Requirements for M.A. in Art History

Successful completion of the M.A. in Art History with a concentration in Egyptian Art and Archaeology requires that the student fulfill a number of requirements. These include:

Departmental Course Requirements

The M.A. in Art History with a concentration in Egyptian Art and Archaeology requires -

  • 30 hours of completed coursework
  • A minimum of 21 hours (7 classes) must be in 7000 level (M.A.) courses
  • Six (6) credit-hours may be from outside the major department (ARTH).
    Only three (3)* of these hours may be from thesis credits (ARTH 7996).
  • Eighteen (18) hours (6 classes) must be in the major area (ARTH), but outside of the required courses (ARTH 6123, ARTH 7130, and ARTH 7996).
  • Students must maintain a 3.0 ("B") average to remain in good standing in the program.
  • Fulfill all University of Memphis mandated requirements and regulations.
    (With the guidance of the concentration advisor, Dr. Corcoran, the student is responsible for meeting all requirements in a timely manner.)

* The student may take more than three thesis units, but only three will count toward the 21-hour total for 7000 level courses.  See the Graduate Catalog for the official list of degree requirements for the M.A. in Art History.

Concentration Course Requirements - Egyptian Art

  • Completion of two (2) departmental core courses -
    ARTH* 6123 - Greek Art 
    ARTH 7130 - Art History Methods and Professional Practice
  • Satisfactory completion of at least two semesters of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs
    (Three semesters are recommended and four advised if the student plans on continuing in Egyptology.)
  • Passing a competency exam in Middle Egyptian hieroglyphs before the start of the second semester
    Contact Dr. Roberson for details regarding preparing for this exam and to schedule an exam.
  • Passing a slide exam on ancient Egyptian art before the start of the second semester
  • One semester of either ARTH 6111 (Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt), ARTH 6112 (Art and Archaeology of the Old and Middle Kingdoms) or ARTH 6113 (Art and Archaeology of the New Kingdom through Later Periods)
  • Passing a competency exam in either German or French by the end of the first year
    Contact Dr. Corcoran regarding your exam.
  • Fulfill all University of Memphis mandated course requirements
  • Select a Thesis Committee Chair by the end of the first year of study
  • In the final (4th) semester, take at least three (3) thesis units (ARTH 7996)
  • Successful completion of the Master's thesis in the fourth semester
  • Passing a comprehensive examination after submission of the M.A. thesis to the Thesis Committee
  • Successful defense of the comprehensive exam and the M.A. thesis

* Course abbreviations: ARTH = Art History; HIST = History

Students are required to meet with the academic advisor before registering each semester. The academic advisor (Dr. Lorelei Corcoran) will then clear the student for registration.

With the guidance of the academic advisor, Dr. Lorelei Corcoran, students are responsible for meeting all requirements in a timely manner.

At the end of each semester until the student is advanced to candidacy (usually at the end of the first year of study), the academic progress of the Art History graduate student is reviewed by the full Art History faculty of the Department of Art. The student must receive a satisfactory review from the committee at the end of each semester in order to continue in the program.

9 credit hours per semester is a full course load for a graduate student.

Click on "Program Requirements" to download an Acrobat PDF file created to help you plan your courses.

Core Courses

Art History masters students in both the General and Egyptian Art and Archaeology concentrations must take the following two core courses:

  • Greek Art* (ARTH 6123)** and
  • Art History Methods (ARTH 7130)

* In academic years when Greek Art is not offered, students may obtain permission from their academic advisor, Dr. Corcoran, to substitute Roman Art (ARTH 6124) or Art and Archaeology of Pompeii (ARTH 6125) for Greek Art (ARTH 6123).

** Students who have taken Classical art courses at their undergraduate institutions may petition for exemption from the requirement for Greek Art (ARTH 6123). Contact the concentration advisor, Dr. Corcoran, if you would like to pursue this option.

For additional information see Art Department Degree Requirements  and Course Descriptions.