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  • Two students are examining books in a glass display case, likely in a museum space. They appear focused and engaged as they explore the displayed items, with the museum's surroundings adding a thoughtful and educational atmosphere.

    Art History

Art History Programs 

When you study art history at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, you step into a world that genuinely recognizes and appreciates that human creativity serves as a fundamental form of expression. You study art and visual culture itself — but also how it shapes society and elevates values and ideas. Through lectures, trips to museums, and seminar-style classes, you learn to focus on the materials, processes, and technologies of how art gets made. You also learn to analyze the works through more lenses than your own, including how things fit across regional, national, cultural, and other boundaries in the world.

Degree Options At a Glance 

Tyler integrates the history of art with both studio arts practices and the liberal arts for greater context and wider thought and expression.  

1

BA in Art History

2

MA in Art History Options

1

The Only PhD Program at Tyler

5 Reasons to Study Art History at Tyler 

Studying art history at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture comes with many benefits:  

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  • Immerse yourself within the community and resources available at one of the top art and design schools in the country, including the chance to study abroad in Rome.  
  • Connect with the art and culture of the historic and vibrant city of Philadelphia.  
  • Earn your degree more affordably (and with a bit more clout) from Temple University, a public, R1 research university. 
  • Tap into the vast and diverse expertise of our accomplished faculty in smaller classes, where you can truly connect with others, with art, and even with yourself. 
  • Learn through both creative and skill-oriented assignments that build your knowledge and confidence for what comes next in your chosen art history career. 
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The entrance to Charles Library features large floor-to-ceiling glass windows, showcasing its modern architectural design. The sleek, contemporary structure invites visitors in with an open, airy feel.

Maker’s Spaces & Library Resources for You 

As a Tyler art history student, you will take classes that use the Duckworth Scholars Studio and the Makerspace in the Charles Library. Plus, you get access to Special Collections in the on-campus library and at other institutions in or near Philadelphia.  

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How to Learn More 

Tyler’s embedded admissions team is here to help with answers to your questions and guidance for applying to earn your degree here.

Art History Student Groups

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Connect with your art history friends and classmates via these student groups. You can also follow us on Instagram. 

Art History Instagram

Art History Guild

Email: 

Art History Graduate Organization 

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The Academics of Art History at Tyler

All 4 art history degrees offered at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture feature dynamic and broad-based approaches to learning. Our faculty, with their diverse areas of expertise, take an interdisciplinary and multicultural view of everything they teach.  

Tyler also offers an undergraduate minor in art history.  

Temple University gives Tyler’s graduate students in art history the option to add a Certificate in Cultural Analytics. 

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  • Bring your curiosity and compassion about what’s happening in the world and how that gets expressed in art of the past and of today.  
  • Learn to understand and to tell the stories of artists and their works.  
  • Hone your critical-thinking skills and discover ways to collaborate with and lead public-facing institutions. 
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Undergraduate

Bachelor’s Degree in Art History

Fundamentally, the study of art history requires you to look closely at the art, material, and methods. Then, you learn to think critically about what you see and then conduct research to build historical context. The combination of these skills helps you understand and explain interpretations of each piece.  

Resources for Art History Majors

Tyler understands your need to do real things and make a real difference. We hope you feel excited to conduct individualized research with faculty members and to gain practical experience, working as an intern at regional museums, galleries, and other arts institutions. Let’s look at those details and your potential art history career options. 

Research Funding

As an R1 research university, Temple University in conjunction with the Tyler School of Art and Architecture gets you access to research funding. Here are a few examples: 

Art History Internships

Tyler gives you the chance to add hands-on experience to your education — and your resumé — via art history internships in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Internships help you explore career opportunities as an art history major and to see which ones fit best for you. Here are some examples of places our students do internships: 

  • Aspen Institute 
  • Barnes Foundation  
  • Brandywine River Museum of Art 
  • Center for Emerging Arts  
  • InLiquid  
  • Rosenbach Museum and Library  
  • Temple Diamond Peer Teachers  
  • University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology 
Art History Careers

Tyler’s art history alumni work in a wide variety of careers in the art world and beyond. Some work at non-profit organizations. Some pursue careers at museums, galleries, libraries, auction houses, and publishers. Some work entirely outside the art world. Some also get into competitive arts-related graduate programs such as in Africology, art history, architecture, art therapy, costume studies, library science, and museum studies.  

After graduation, recent alumni competed for and got jobs like these: 

  • Art Sales Manager  
  • Business Development Analyst  
  • Curatorial Intern  
  • Customer Development Specialist  
  • Development Associate  
  • Education/Docent Programming  
  • Executive Assistant  
  • Founder and Curator of a collaborative curatorial project for Philly-based exhibitions  
  • Gallery Manager  
  • Junior Copywriter  
  • Mortgage Consultant  
  • Museum Assistant  
  • Nonprofit Program & Events Coordinator  
  • Pastry Chef  
  • Project Coordinator  
  • Social Media Coordinator  
  • Visitor Services

Art History Master’s Degree Tracks

Master of Arts in Art History – Research Track

Tyler’s research track challenges you to develop a deep geographical and chronological understanding of art history. You learn to root your analysis in historical, cultural, stylistic and ethical contexts. By working closely with individual faculty members, you graduate with knowledge and skills to:  

  • Conduct original research and organize a sustained project 
  • Work collaboratively with artists, administrators, educators, students and the public 
  • Contribute to the profession and serve communities by elevating artists and ideas 

 

Master of Arts in Art History – Arts Management Track 

Tyler’s arts management track provides an advanced cultural practice and specialized degree pathway, led by a 30-year veteran of the New York arts world. Learn both the historical and current forces that shape arts institutions: 

  • Their values and missions 
  • The economics of art  
  • Strategic planning 
  • Governance 
  • Ethics 

Along with managing the production and presentation of art, you explore critical issues facing cultural institutions, such as structural bias, missing communities and perspectives, and capitalist structures. The goal? To act as a change-agent and build stronger, more diverse communities surrounding art museums, non-profit cultural organizations or galleries.  

Resources for Art History Graduate Students

To support master’s degree students in both art history tracks, Tyler provides access to these resources for research, internships, fellowships, and career exploration.  

Research Funding

In addition to Temple University’s R1 research university designation, funding opportunities include short-term grants offered by the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. You also can compete for external fellowships, grants, awards or internships from regional and national organizations. Here are a few internal funding resources: 

  • Dolan-Haase Award  

  • Dean’s Grant for Presentation at a Conference  

  • Dean’s Grant for Research  

  • Marcia B. Hall Summer Research Grant  

  • Fox Board Fellowship  

Internships & Fellowships

Some of our recent students also received internships and fellowships like these: 

  • Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice  
  • William H. Truettner Graduate Fellowship, Smithsonian American Art Museum  
  • Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library  
Arts Research Careers

If you want a career in higher education or research, the Research Track serves as a gateway to the best art history PhD programs.  

If you imagine a direct path into the arts profession writ large, the Research Track also prepares you for leadership and management roles in museums, galleries, non-profits, archives, libraries or other arts-related institutions. 

  • Doctoral Programs: University of Pittsburgh, Tyler  

  • Emily Chelsea Jewelry, Philadelphia  

  • Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia 

  • Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia 

  • Lansdale Catholic High School 

  • Michener Museum, Doylestown PA 

  • Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia  

  • Northley Middle School, Aston, PA  

  • Philadelphia Art Center  

  • Philadelphia Museum of Arts  

  • Salem County (NJ) Historical Society 

  • Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., Chicago 

  • University of Pennsylvania Fisher Fine Arts Library 

  • Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia 

Arts Management Careers

Tyler’s Arts Management Track prepares you for leadership and management roles in a variety of organizations, where you work to align operations and program decisions with the institution’s mission and social values.  

  • Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia 

  • Cosmopolitours - Art Travel Cuba, Philadelphia 

  • InLiquid, Philadelphia  

  • Mural Arts, Philadelphia 

  • Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia 

  • Philadelphia Film Society 

  • Philadelphia 250 

  • Philadelphia Museum of Arts 

  • Philly Mural Arts 

  • Princeton Arts Council, Princeton 

  • Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., Chicago  

  • Travel Company (private, co-owner) 

  • Vanguard Charitable, Philadelphia 

  • Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia 

Meet Current Master’s Degree Students

The Art History Department and community understand that they play a role in your success. To help you feel connected to your peers, browse through these brief profiles.

Profile type
  • Mariola Alvarez sits on a chair inside Tyler School of Art & Architecture, smiling and looking away from the camera.

    Mariola Alvarez

    Associate Professor of Modern and Contemporary Latin American Art and Director of Graduate Studies

  • Susan Cahan stands in front of a multicolored wall with her arms crossed, smiling at the camera.

    Susan E. Cahan

    Professor of Art History and Dean

  • Jane DeRose Evans stands outside with her arms crossed, looking at the camera. Behind her is an outdoor landscape featuring Roman architectural ruins.

    Jane DeRose Evans

    Professor of Roman Art and Archaeology and Chair of Art History

  • John Hatfield looking at the camera with a rainbow-colored wall behind him.

    John Hatfield

    Professor of Practice and Director of Arts Management Track

Tyler’s PhD in Art History 

The Art History Department is proud to offer Tyler’s only doctoral program. Whether you plan a teaching, research or curatorial career, the PhD in Art History provides the broad-based training you need to rise to the highest levels of the discipline.  

Because the Tyler School of Art and Architecture is part of Temple University, you experience the intimacy and collaborative spirit of a world-class school of art, architecture and design — studying side-by-side with artists and designers and creating many chances for cross pollination. Plus, you experience the real advantage and deep resources of a large, public, comprehensive R1 university. 

As for Philadelphia, an historic city with a lively arts scene, consider it both a living classroom and studio and practically a member of the faculty for all the knowledge and opportunity it imparts.   

We purposefully keep PhD cohorts small, so your primary advisor provides one-on-one mentorship and career development tailored to your needs, talents, and goals.  

Resources for Doctoral Candidates

As one of our best and brightest, you get access to as much support and opportunities as Tyler can gather. We can’t wait to see how you grow and what you accomplish. 

Research Funding

As a PhD candidate in art history, you can apply for research funding, including short-term grants offered by Tyler or longer-term scholarships offered by Tyler or Temple University.  

Our students also apply for and often receive external fellowships, grants, awards or internships from regional, national and international organizations.  

Examples of internal funding opportunities include the following:  

  • Dean’s Grant for Presentation at a Conference  
  • Dean’s Grant for Research  
  • Marcia B. Hall Summer Research Grant  
  • Temple University Rome Scholarship  
  • CHAT Fellowship  
  • Dissertation Completion Grant  
  • Temple University Summer Research Grant  
  • Temple University Writing Center Tutoring Stipend  
  • Temple University Student Success Center, Academic Coach  
Internships and Fellowships

Some of our recent students also received internships and fellowships like these: 

  • Andrew W. Mellon Library Company of Philadelphia  
  • ARIT Summer Fellowship  
  • Association of Historians of American Art  
  • Barra American Art Fellowship, Philadelphia Museum of Art  
  • CCL/Mellon Foundation Seminar  
  • Center for Netherlandish Art, Boston  
  • Centro per la Storia dell’Arte e dell’Architettura delle Citta Portuali  
  • Clayton Lewis Fellowship in American Culture  
  • Cooper Fellowship, Yale’s Walpole Library  
  • Dunnigan Cartography Fellowship, Clements Library (University of Michigan)  
  • Getty Museum  
  • Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation Research Grant  
  • Goizueta Fellowship (University of Miami)  
  • Kress Fellow, Medici Archive  
  • Italian Studies Library Research Award, Notre Dame  
  • Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowship  
  • Mayers Fellowship, Huntington Library  
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art  
  • Princeton Art Museum Summer Graduate Fellowship  
  • SAAM Audry Flack Short-Term Fellow  
  • SAAM Pre-doctoral Fellowship  
  • SAH de Montequin Junior Fellowship  
  • SAH Tatum Annual International Conference Fellowship  
  • Save Venice Anniversary Fellowship  
  • Terra Foundation Curatorial Fellow, PAFA  
  • Title VIII, US State Department  
  • Tyson Scholar, Crystal Bridges Programs  
Art History Careers

Our art history doctoral degree alumni work in a wide variety of higher education placements, museums, galleries, and other arts-related organizations. Some of our recent graduates landed these placements: 

  • Assistant Curator, Allen Memorial Art Museum  
  • Assistant Professor of Instruction, Tyler  
  • Associate Curator of American Art, Worcester Art Museum  
  • Associate Curator of Art and Visual Cultural, Winterthur Museum  
  • Collections Curator and Outreach Coordinator, DeVos Art Museum  
  • Curator of Latinx Art, National Gallery  
  • Manager of Interpretation and Docent Education, Albright-Knox Art Gallery  
  • Mellon Post-Doctoral Fellow  
  • Research Associate of European Art, Toledo OH Museum of Art 

Meet Current PhD Students

Especially at the highest level of the art history discipline, you want to know your peers and how they inspire and support you to greater heights.

Profile type
  • Mariola Alvarez sits on a chair inside Tyler School of Art & Architecture, smiling and looking away from the camera.

    Mariola Alvarez

    Associate Professor of Modern and Contemporary Latin American Art and Director of Graduate Studies

  • Susan Cahan stands in front of a multicolored wall with her arms crossed, smiling at the camera.

    Susan E. Cahan

    Professor of Art History and Dean

  • Jane DeRose Evans stands outside with her arms crossed, looking at the camera. Behind her is an outdoor landscape featuring Roman architectural ruins.

    Jane DeRose Evans

    Professor of Roman Art and Archaeology and Chair of Art History

  • John Hatfield looking at the camera with a rainbow-colored wall behind him.

    John Hatfield

    Professor of Practice and Director of Arts Management Track

Tyler Art History News

Read the latest news about the art history faculty, current students, and alumni.  

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Tyler Art History Events

One of the best ways to know if the Tyler School of Art and Architecture is the right place for you is to spend time with us. Browse these upcoming events — on and off campus.  

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