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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

History of Decorative Arts, MA


Banner Code:  LA-MA-HDA
Web: hda.gmu.edu

College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences  
Department: History and Art History  

The MA in the history of decorative arts is offered in partnership with The Smithsonian Associates. It presents students with the challenge of integrating the history of the decorative arts into the study of art history and cultural studies as a whole. Students take courses in decorative arts, design history and theory, material culture, and museology.

The program prepares students for employment at museums, historic organizations, and in the commercial art and design marketplace. It is also excellent preparation for a number of doctoral programs.

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies  section of the catalog.

Application Requirements


Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admissions  section of the catalog. For information specific to the MA in the history of decorative arts, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site.

Degree Requirements


To receive the MA in the history of decorative arts students must complete 48 graduate credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A maximum of 9 credits from other institutions may be transferred into this program or may be reduced based on a previously conferred graduate degree. Reduction or transfer of credit is subject to the approval of the director and the dean.

Six to eight elective courses (18-24 credits)


Students choose electives in consultation with an advisor. Courses with variable topics may be repeated for credit when the topic varies. A total of 6 credits of independent study and 6 credits of internship each may be applied to the degree.

Students may apply 3 or 6 credits of thesis in place of 1 or 2 elective courses. Students who do not complete a thesis complete 24 elective credits and a comprehensive examination.

Choose from:

Examination or thesis


Students must successfully pass a comprehensive examination or complete a 3-6 credit thesis.

Examination


The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to test the student’s familiarity with the important objects and literature relating to one major and one minor field. Fields are defined by country, medium, and century. The student is expected to be conversant with bibliographic references, be able to evaluate information critically, and be able to recognize objects, makers, and styles. The exam consists of a one-hour oral component on the major and minor fields followed by an essay on the major field.

Thesis (3 - 6 credits)


A thesis requires a minimum of 1 semester. Students who undertake a 3-credit thesis take 3 fewer elective credits. Students who undertake a 6-credit thesis register for 3 credits the first semester and 3 credits the second semester; they take 6 fewer elective credits.

Once enrolled in ARTH 799, students are required to maintain continuous registration until the thesis is submitted to and accepted by the University Library. The continuous registration policy is specified in the Academic Policies  section of the catalog.

Total: 48 credits