MA Benchmarks Handbook


The MA Benchmarks Handbook is an important tool to guide you through and promote your successful completion of our program. The faculty, professional staff, and administration are available to assist you with policies, procedures, or regulations for UT Dallas.

As you begin your journey, we encourage you to interact with your class peers and faculty members, and meet regularly with your faculty advisor to help enhance and diversify your learning opportunities.

See Graduate Degree Program Policies and Procedures for more information or contact Graduate Program Advisor Heather Bowling at [email protected].

If you are on the undergraduate fast track plan, your course of study varies from the typical plan. Please consult the Handbook for Undergraduate Fast track students.



Semester Guidelines

Semester 1: Fall

  • Take 3 graduate seminars, including either AHST 6301 or AHST 6302
  • Attend EODIAH-organized workshop talks, lectures, gallery visits, and generally participate in the life of the Institute for the duration of the program (follow EODIAH events)
  • Mid-Fall semester, register for Spring, including either AHST 6301 or AHST 6302 (Available courses can be found in Coursebook)
  • Discuss possible thesis topics, proposal, and committee with Graduate Program Advisor and relevant faculty members
  • Gradually prepare for your museum Gallery Talk (specifics of the assignment sent via email)

Semester 2: Spring

  • Take 3 graduate seminars, including either AHST 6301 or AHST 6302
  • Early in the semester, you will give your museum Gallery Talk
  • In consultation with the Graduate Program Advisor, choose a Faculty member to be your Committee Chair before spring break
  • In consultation with your Committee Chair, choose the remainder of your thesis committee, which must be at least 3 Faculty members total, and can be up to 5. Consult the Graduate Catalogue for possible committee members. Gather signatures from all committee members on the Committee Appointment Form, and submit to the Graduate Program Advisor by April 15
  • Draft 1 of Thesis Proposal due to Faculty Advisor/Committee Chair and Graduate Program Advisor by April 1
  • Apply for museum assistantships and summer travel funding. Exact dates and deadlines will vary, see below and contact Graduate Program Advisor for details
  • Full Thesis proposal (see Thesis Proposal Guidelines), working bibliography, and signed Summer Plan Form due to Faculty Advisor/Committee Chair and Graduate Program Advisor by May 15
  • Register for Fall semester: One graduate level seminar (3 hours) and Practicum (6 AHST thesis hours)

Summer

  • Thesis research and writing (goals and timeline to be set in consultation with Faculty Advisor and committee members)
  • Assistantship and/or research travel
  • Work on summer progress report and Fall Prospectus, due to Graduate Program Advisor and Thesis Committee by August 15
  • Travel Funding Request to be completed at least one month prior to desired travel. This form is a jumping off point for students to explain your reason for travel. Specifically, you need to attach a separate document that sets out your specific research questions and goals, an explanation of how those questions and goals fit into your larger project, and an outline of the on-site work to be done to pursue those questions. Be as specific as possible with costs.
  • *In most cases, funding for thesis-related travel funding will only be considered during Summer or Semester 3

Semester 3: Fall

  • Take one graduate level seminar (3 hours) and Practicum (6 AHST thesis hours)
  • Submit summer progress report and fall prospectus to Graduate Program Advisor and Thesis Committee by August 15
  • Research and Writing for thesis: roughly 1 month per chapter. Draft due by December 31 (suggested deadline) to Faculty Advisor
  • MA Graduate Student Practicum Workshop: November (date varies, but to take place before Thanksgiving)
  • Keep all deadlines in mind: Master’s and Doctoral deadlines

Semester 4: Spring

  • Take 9 AHST Practicum hours
  • January meetings with thesis committees to advance to thesis defense
  • Apply to graduate by January deadline (date varies, check OGE website): submit signed degree plan to OGE, see apply for graduation
  • Draft 2 complete end of February, Draft 3 before spring break, work closely with your Committee Chair
  • February: request permission from your committee to schedule thesis defense
  • Late March: Thesis defense
  • Read Checklist for Final Submission of Master’s Thesis and follow in its entirety
  • Thesis upload to OGE by final submission deadline, indicated on OGE website (students submit signed thesis approval form, directions for upload found on Report of Final Examination for Master's Thesis Form)
  • Other essential forms
      Citation Form to be completed as part of the submission process for graduate students who submit a dissertation or thesis.
  • May: Graduation!


benchmarks

Helpful Links

Master’s and Doctoral deadlines lists each semester’s officially posted applications, thesis, and final oral exam deadlines

UT Dallas Academic Calendar

Checklist for Final Submission of Master’s Thesis

Graduate Handbook

Art History MA suggested course of study

Graduate Degree Program Policies and Procedures

Forms

[Downloadable as .pdf or .docx]

MA Degree Plan

Report of Final Examination for Master’s Thesis Form (to be filled out by main advisor and signed by the entire committee). This form must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Education by the final master's deadline.

Citation Form to be completed as part of the submission process for graduate students who submit a dissertation or thesis.

Registration Add, Drop, Withdraw Form return to the Registrar’s Office.

Committee Appointment Form requests formal appointment to serve as your supervisory committee.

Summer Plan Form outline summer goals and have signed by primary advisor.

Travel Funding Request to be completed at least one month prior to desired travel: This form is a jumping off point for students to explain your reason for travel. Specifically you need to attach a separate document that sets out your specific research questions and goals, an explanation of how those questions and goals fit into your larger project, and an outline of the on-site work to be done to pursue those questions. Be as specific as possible with costs.



Contact

Please direct questions and meeting requests to the Graduate Program Advisor, Heather Bowling at [email protected].