ARTHS-PHD - Art History (PhD)

Doctor of Philosophy in Art History

University requirements for the Ph.D. are described in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin. An expanded explanation of department requirements is given in the Art History Graduate Student Handbook.

In addition to University requirements, the department requires as part of the application a research paper of approximately 15-20 pages, preferably in or near the student’s field of primary interest and demonstrating the student's capacity to pursue independent investigation of an art historical problem. All applicants must have been awarded a B.A., B.F.A., or B.S. from an accredited university.

Students entering the program with an M.A. degree from another institution may petition to apply up to 45 units toward the Ph.D. degree. See GAP and the PhD Handbook for additional information.

The Department of Art and Art History is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the adviser and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the adviser and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity. Should serious challenges arise in the advising relationship, advisee and adviser (together or individually) should confer with the DGS and/or Department Chair.

Faculty advisers guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.

The doctoral program in Art History at Stanford is relatively small, and affords the graduate student the opportunity to work intensively with individual members of the faculty. The Doctor of Philosophy degree is taken in a particular field, supported by a background in the general history of art. Doctoral candidates also undertake collateral studies in other graduate departments or in one of the University's interdisciplinary programs.

The Ph.D. is conferred upon candidates in Art History (including Film and Media Studies) who have demonstrated substantial scholarship and the ability to conduct independent research and analysis in their respective disciplines.  Through completion of advanced course work and rigorous skills training, the doctoral program prepares students to make original contributions to knowledge in their fields and to interpret and present the results of their research.