Admission & Aid

At DU's School of Art & Art History, aspiring artists and art scholars build technical skills, explore historical perspectives and develop critical methodologies for understanding visual mediums. We offer BA, BFA and MA degrees that prepare you for careers as creatives, administrators, curators and educators. 

From campus visits to enrollment, we make the admission process as streamlined as possible. We offer several financial aid options, as well as merit-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students.

Undergraduate Students

The School of Art & Art History offers four undergraduate degrees and two minors. Scroll down for admissions and financial aid information, or click on the links below to explore a particular program.

Undergraduate students take a class trip to view Chihuly art at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Undergraduate Admission

We're Here to Help

Are you interested in pursuing an art or art history degree? Use the resources below to get started. Undergraduates are admitted into our BA program. If you're a first-year student interested in pursuing a BFA in studio art or pre-art conservation, you'll enter as a BA and may apply for the BFA after beginning coursework. If you are an advanced transfer student interested in the BFA in pre-art conservation, please contact the conservation advisor to learn about applying before coursework begins. If you're interested in pursuing a joint BA/MA or a BFA, you will enter as a BA and apply for those paths after acceptance to the BA program.

Undergraduate Aid & Scholarships

Making Higher Education Possible

There are several scholarship options available to art majors. Once accepted, we'll send you information about how to submit a portfolio for scholarship consideration. The School of Art & Art History works with the Office of Financial Aid to determine award amounts for each student.

Contact Us

Graduate Students

The School of Art & Art History offers two graduate program options. Students may choose to complete an MA in art history, or an MA in art history with a museum studies concentration. Click the link below to learn more about the programs, or scroll down for admissions and financial aid information.

Prospective Student Events

December 17

Art History Graduate Degree Q&A

3:00pm - 4:00pm

VIRTUAL LOCATION

View Details

January 15

Art History Graduate Degree Q&A

3:00pm - 4:00pm

VIRTUAL LOCATION

View Details

February 6

Cultural Diplomacy: An Evening with Artist Maryam Taghavi

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Sie Complex, Room 5025, Maglione Hall

View Details

An art professor works with students

Graduate Admission

If you're ready to extend your education in a rigorous and collaborative environment, we invite you to apply to our MA program in art history or our MA with a concentration in museum studies. 

The priority deadline is January 31. We ask that international applicants send materials six weeks prior to the January 31 deadline.  Limited application fee waivers are available for current DU students, DU alumni, McNair Scholars, Peace Corps members, AmeriCorps members, City Year members and veterans. To request a fee waiver, contact cahssgradinquiry@du.edu.

Recommended Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in any field
  • 5 undergraduate art history classes with strong grades
  • 2 years of college-level language
  • GRE minimum scores (153 verbal, 4.0 writing) – Submitting GRE scores is optional for this degree

Application Process

  1. Take the GRE and indicate DU to receive scores (optional)
  2. Submit graduate school application online
  3. Request transcripts from all colleges attended
  4. Submit 3 letters of recommendation (professors able to comment on research and writing are best, but one can be from a museum or gallery employer)
  5. Submit a research paper (with notes and bibliography, art history preferred)
  6. Submit a letter outlining your reasons for graduate study and your professional goals

Start Your Application

 

Personal Statement and Writing Sample Support

  • Personal Statement Instructions

    Most personal statements are two pages

    Things to include:

    1. What are the field or topics in art history that excite you and why? Which faculty members in our department do you see as potentially providing guidance in helping you pursue an M.A. in these fields. 
      • If you are applying for the museum studies concentration, also discuss what aspects of museums excite or motivate you and why.  
    2. What special skills, preparation or experiences do you bring to the program that will help you succeed here? Feel free to consider experiences beyond the academic realm.
    3. What are your goals and motivations (personal/professional) in applying to the M.A. program, and how would the degree assist you towards your long-term objectives (career, further education, personal)?
    4. (optional) If you feel that your academic record and experience are not representative of your abilities and potential in graduate school, please let us know any details you wish to share.
  • Advice on Your Writing Sample

    Submit a research paper (with notes and bibliography, art history preferred). We use this to assess your writing, ability to formulate a research question, research skills and understanding of citation methods. There are no word count requirements, but most essays are 8-15 pages.

Graduate Aid & Scholarships

Helping Graduate Students Succeed

We're proud to offer merit-based financial assistance to most graduate students. The School of Art & Art History provides aid in the form of dean's tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships. All accepted students will be considered for merit-based aid. For questions regarding your application or this kind of aid, please contact the graduate advisor, Annabeth Headrick.

Contact the Graduate Advisor

Federal financial aid, including federal student loans and work study, is need-based. You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for need-based aid. The Office of Financial Aid handles federal financial aid and all loans.

Office of Financial Aid

Dual Degree Students

We offer an accelerated dual-degree program to motivated art history majors. This opportunity allows you to earn your BA and MA simultaneously, with the option of a museum studies concentration. 

Click the link below to learn more about the program, or scroll down for admissions and financial aid information.

Studies visit a museum

BA/MA Admission

A Highly Selective Dual-Degree Program

We offer an accelerated dual-degree program to motivated art history majors. This opportunity allows you to earn your BA and MA simultaneously, with the option of a museum studies concentration. 

You can apply during your junior year. Learn more about eligibility and the application process below.

For more information contact Scott Montgomery at scott.montgomery@du.edu and Annabeth Headrick at annabeth.headrick@du.edu.

 

  • Eligibility to Apply
    • Students pursuing a BA in Art History at the University of Denver are eligible to apply prior to earning 135 credits.*
    • At the time of application, students must have a major GPA of 3.5 or better to be considered.

    *Students with more that 135 earned credits can apply to the Art History MA through the Crimson Application.

  • Admissions Process and Education Timeline

    Sophomore/Junior Year

    Meet with the undergraduate and graduate advisors to discuss interest in applying and develop a coursework plan. After earning at least 20 credits in Art History (and prior to earning 135 credits) with a 3.5 major GPA, submit a graduate application.

    Senior Year

    Pending acceptance, begin graduate coursework by taking 3000/4000-level ARTH courses for graduate credit. Complete second year of a foreign language.

    Fifth Year

    Complete required Master’s coursework, comprehensive exam, and Master’s Research Paper. Students with the Museum Studies Concentration will also complete an internship.

BA/MA Aid & Scholarships

As a student in the dual degree program, you will start out by utilizing our undergraduate aid and scholarships. The School of Art & Art History works with the Office of Financial Aid to determine award amounts for each student.

Graduate scholarships from the School of Art & Art History are primarily merit-based and consist of dean’s tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships. All accepted students will be considered for these aid options. You will be eligible for the merit-based graduate aid once you complete your BA degree.

As soon as you are officially accepted into the dual degree program, we recommend that you work directly with the graduate advisor,Annabeth Headrick. The advisor can help you determine how best to make use of the undergraduate and graduate aid available. This will include a recommendation on whether to have your BA and MA degrees awarded simultaneously or separately, as the degree award timing is closely tied to your financial aid options. 

Contact the Graduate Advisor

 

Additional Resources for All Students

CAHSS Financial Support 

CAHSS offers a variety of awards to offset the cost of tuition. From merit-based awards to travel grants to supporting diversity initiatives, we encourage all our students to apply for additional support. 

  • Student Inclusive Excellence Project Award (undergraduate only)
  • Student Research Award (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Summer Internship Award Program (undergraduate only)
  • Sturm Family Foundation Internship Awards (undergraduate only)

DU Financial Support 

In addition to the aid that the College and department provide, we encourage you to make use of DU's scholarships, grants and financial aid services.