MA Benchmark Handbook for Fast track students

eodiah

This handbook is meant for students following the undergraduate Fast track course of study. The total requirements are the same, but spread out over five semesters and two summers.

Every semester includes an expectation to attend EODIAH-organized workshop talks, lectures, gallery visits, and generally participate in the life of the Institute each semester you are in the program (follow EODIAH events)

For more information or contact Graduate Program Advisor Heather Bowling at [email protected].



Course of Study

Courses (36 credit hours = AHST 6301 + AHST 6302 + 15 hours in AHST graduate seminars + 15 hours practicum); with written approval of your adviser,

no more than six hours can be substituted with HUAS and/or ATCM 6000-level courses

(AHST = Art History, HUAS = Aesthetic Studies, and ATCM = Arts Technology Communication Media)

benchmarks

Semester Guidelines

Semester 1: Fall

In your first year (semesters 1 and 2), you need to take a total of 3 seminars. This can be two seminars in your first semester and one seminar in your second, or vice versa.

  • You should plan to take at least one of the required Foundations courses in your first two semesters, and ideally both in your first full year: AHST 6301 and AHST 6302, unless absolutely impossible due to undergraduate degree requirements
  • Register for spring semester

Semester 2: Spring

  • Take either one or two AHST seminars, depending how many you took in Semester 1. Follow the MA Degree plan
  • Register for Fall semester
  • Consider your thesis topic, and 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 Consult Graduate Program Advisor and 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 due May 15.
  • In consultation with your Committee Chair, use the Summer Plan Form to set up your course of action for the summer due May 15. In the summer plan, consider that your first draft of a thesis proposal due at the end of the summer, and a Full Thesis proposal (see Thesis Proposal Guidelines) and working bibliography, due to the Graduate Program Advisor and Committee Chair by September 15.

Summer #1

  • Work on thesis proposal (see Thesis Proposal Guidelines) and bibliography
  • Prepare for your museum Gallery Talk (specifics of the assignment sent via email)
  • Research travel, if relevant to early stages of research for your thesis

Semester 3: Fall

  • Take 3 graduate seminars
  • September 15: Full Thesis proposal (see Thesis Proposal Guidelines) and working bibliography due to the Graduate Program Advisor and Committee Chair
  • Early October: give your museum Gallery Talk. (specifics and date to be arranged by Graduate Program Advisor)
  • Register for Spring semester: one graduate level seminar (3 hours) and Practicum (6 AHST thesis hours)

Semester 4: Spring

  • Take one graduate level seminar (3 hours) and 6 AHST thesis hours
  • Submit Thesis prospectus to Committee Chair and Graduate Program Advisor by February 1
  • Work on thesis research and writing (goals and timeline to be set in consultation with Faculty Advisor and committee members
  • MA Practicum Workshop: to take place late April/early May (date varies by year)
  • Submit Summer Plan Form to Committee Chair and Graduate Program Advisor by May 15

Summer #2

  • Research and writing for thesis: roughly 1 month per chapter. Draft 1 due to Committee Chair by August 15 (suggested deadline)
  • Keep all deadlines in mind: Master’s and Doctoral deadlines

Semester 5: Fall

  • Take 9 AHST Practicum hours
  • Early September meeting with thesis committee to advance to thesis defense scheduling
  • Apply to Graduate by deadline (date varies, check OGE website). Submit signed degree plan to OGE, see apply for graduation
  • Draft 2 complete by October 1, Draft 3 complete by November 1
  • Schedule your thesis defense to take place in November
  • Early November: Thesis Defense
  • Later November: Thesis upload to OGE by final submission deadline, specific date 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.
  • December: Graduation!



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]

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].