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Art History

Master's

Overview

Application Requirements

Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid and Funding Opportunities

Faculty

Related Programs

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Application Deadlines

Fall: Apr 15 (extended deadline)
Spring: n/a
Summer: n/a

School/Department

History of Art and Architecture

Program Director

Alice Sullivan

Contact

gradadmissions@tufts.edu

Location

Medford/Somerville

Format

On-campus

Commitment Options

Full-time
Part-time (Daytime)

Average Duration

2 years

Credits

Tuition per Credit

$1699

Eligible for Aid/Scholarship

Yes

Overview

The MA in Art History is designed to provide a broad historical and theoretical understanding of the visual arts, in addition to developing critical thinking and methodological skills. You'll engage with these issues through course work, seminars, independent research, and teaching experience.

Program Outcomes

In this program, you will advance your visual literacy and analysis skills while you gain deep understanding of key debates, concepts, and methods in Art History. You will develop and carry out original research, using primary sources, with the goal of producing publishable or near-publishable written work. You'll also gain valuable teaching and presentation experience, learn about a range of professional opportunities in the field, and become familiar with the ethics and responsibilities of the profession practice.

You'll complete your degree either by writing a thesis or by submitting two qualifying papers; either option involves an independent research topic designed in consultation with your faculty advisor. The small size of our program gives you the opportunity to get to know you cohort and to enjoy close working relationships with our faculty.

After completing the degree, you will be well prepared for further PhD study or to enter the job market. Our graduates typically go on to careers in many fields and settings including museums, arts education, historic preservation, consulting, auction houses, galleries, art magazines, and more.

Application Requirements

Application fee
Resume/CV
Personal statement
Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores, if applicable
Transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
Writing sample: While each application is evaluated holistically, an important part of a successful application is the writing sample. The ideal writing sample should best reflect your art historical research and writing skills, as well as your engagement with primary and secondary sources. The paper should be well written, the argument clearly presented, and the research properly cited using the Chicago Manual of Style. The ideal length is approximately 15-20 double-spaced pages, exclusive of figures and bibliography.

Prerequisites

Reading knowledge of a foreign language

Tuition & Fees

GSAS bills tuition using a per-credit billing model, meaning you are billed for the number of credits you take each semester. This billing model is used to provide students better flexibility so they may "pay-as-they-go".

Tuition*	$1,699 per credit
Total Credits Required	30
Enrollment Status	Part-Time: 1-2 courses per semester (3-6 credits) Full-Time: 3-4 courses per semester (9 or more credits)

Estimating Tuition Costs for this Program

This example pathway outlines estimated tuition costs per semester using a typical full-time course load. This is one possible pathway to completion; actual credits, costs and degree completion time may vary based on a student’s course load.

Full-Time Pathway	Fall	Spring	Total
Year 1	12 credits	12 credits	24 credits
Year 1	$20,388	$20,388	$40,776
Year 2	3 credits	3 credits	6 credits
Year 2	$5,097	$5,097	$10,194
Estimated Total Tuition Before Aid*			$50,970*

Note: this example does not account for any scholarships that may be awarded at the time of admission. GSAS offers generous merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for qualified applicants. A list of funding opportunities is provided below.

*Estimated based on 2025-2026 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including health insurance, fees, and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), visit Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities

At Tufts University, we believe that every qualified applicant should have the opportunity to pursue graduate study, regardless of financial circumstances. We are committed to helping you navigate the financial aspects of your education and strive to make graduate school accessible through a variety of support options.

Scholarships and Awards Available for this Program

Merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for master’s programs: To be considered, be sure to indicate your interest within the Financial Aid section of your application.
The Future Leaders Fellowship is a full-tuition scholarship for outstanding full-time master’s students and entry-level OTD students. Future Leaders Fellows are selected by the GSAS Dean following their admittance to Tufts.
City Year Corps members, alumni, and staff are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship award of 25% off tuition.

Work Opportunities and Awards

There are various graduate assistantships and work opportunities available for Master’s students across Tufts.
The Graduate Student Open Access Publishing Fund provides financial support to students who want to publish their work open access.
The Graduate Student Research Competition provides funding for expenses including equipment, materials, and supplies; research participant compensation; and expenses of travel to conduct research.
The Graduate Student Conference Reimbursement Fund is available for students to travel to present or attend at a conference or professional meeting.
The Tisch Library Graduate Fellowship in the Arts & Humanities provides funding for MA, MFA, and PhD students conducting research over the summer.

Visit our Graduate Financial Aid page for information on loans and financing options.