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instructionsFrequently Asked Questions
Q What programs of study are
offered by the IFA?
Q Does the IFA offer a studio
arts program?
Q Does the IFA offer a museum
studies program?
Q May I take courses for credit
at the IFA without being enrolled in a degree program?
Q May I audit courses at the
IFA?
Q How long does it take to complete
the programs offered by the IFA?
Q How many students are enrolled
in the programs at the IFA?
Q What academic preparation is
required for admission to the IFA?
Q What languages are required
to study at the IFA?
Q With only the BA degree, should
I apply directly to the PhD program?
Q If I already have an MA in
art history, does the admissions process differ?
Q May I tour the IFA, visit classes,
and meet faculty and students?
Q What financial aid is available to IFA students?
Q Is part-time study permitted at the IFA?
Q How can I obtain an application?
Q Does the IFA have "rolling" admissions?
Q What is the application submission deadline?
Q Should I indicate a field of specialization in my application?
Q Should I include a writing sample with my application?
Q How many letters of recommendation are required? Must they
all be academic?
Q Are GREs required? Is there a minimum score cutoff? What
is the average score? How much importance is attached to the scores?
Q Is the TOEFL required of all international students?
Q Should I send any part of the application directly to the
IFA?
Q Are interviews required for admission?
Q What is the timetable for admissions decisions?
Q What percentage of applicants is admitted?
Q What percentage of successful applicants is offered fellowship
support?
Q If I am accepted for next fall, may I defer my admission?
Q What programs of study are offered by the IFA?
A Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in the History of
Art and Archaeology.
Advanced Certificate in the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, offered
at the MA level
Advanced Certificate in Curatorial Studies offered jointly with the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, offered at the doctoral level
Q Does the IFA offer a studio arts program?
A We do not, but NYU offers several graduate studio arts degree
programs through the Steinhardt School of Education: Ed.gradadmissions@nyu.edu.
Q Does the IFA offer a museum studies program?
A We offer a doctoral-level Curatorial Studies Certificate
program. NYU also offers a museum studies degree program through the Graduate
School of Arts and Science: Museum.Studies@nyu.edu.
Q May I take courses for credit at the IFA
without being enrolled in a degree program?
A We do not have a non-matriculated student status. To take
courses for credit, you must pursue a degree or be a Visiting Student from another
graduate program at NYU or another university's graduate art history program.
Q May I audit courses at the IFA?
A Auditing opportunities are available for a select group of
donors to the Institute. For further information, please contact Kathleen M. Heins at 212-992-5804 or via email: kmh328@nyu.edu
Q How long does it take to complete the programs
offered by the IFA?
A The MA takes most students two years.
The PhD usually adds five years beyond the MA for a total of seven years.
The Conservation Certificate, which combines the MSA in art history with specific conservation courses and a year-long internship, takes a total of four years.
The Curatorial Studies Certificate adds a year-long internship to the doctoral program.
Q How many students are enrolled in the programs
at the IFA?
A There are about 250 students actively pursuing the various
degree and certificate programs at the IFA.
Q What academic preparation is required for
admission to the IFA?
A The Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited American university
or an equivalent degree from a foreign university is required of all applicants.
Preparation normally includes at least four courses in art history and foreign
language study is strongly encouraged.
Q What languages are required to study at the
IFA?
A The ability to translate French and German, with the use
of dictionary, is needed for all degrees. Other languages may also be required
in specialized areas of study.
Q With only the BA degree, should I apply directly
to the PhD program?
A All applicants are taken at the MA level since no one is
admitted directly to the PhD program. However, you should indicate your long
term educational and career goals as part of your personal statement.
Q If I already have an MA in art history, does
the admissions process differ?
A Applicants with an MA in art history must include their thesis or
another substantial writing sample with their application and should make contact
with an IFA faculty member appropriate to their intended area of doctoral study.
When admitted, students with an MA in art history spend a year at the Institute
preparing to enter the PhD program by completing any IFA MA requirements that
have not been fulfilled by their previous degree program.
Q May I tour the IFA, visit classes, and meet
faculty and students?
A Yes, we welcome visitors to the Institute. If you contact
the Academic Office at 212-992-5868 or keith.kelly@nyu.edu,
we can help arrange tours, meetings with faculty and students, as well as visits
to classes. We would also be pleased to meet with you to answer questions you
may have about your own background, goals or other special concerns.
Q What financial aid is available to IFA students?
A The Institute is a generous supporter of its students who demonstrate
exceptional merit, good academic progress, and financial need. In each recent
year, tuition and/or cash stipends have been awarded to over 100 students. In
addition to aid from the IFA, students may apply for federally subsidized loans
and work study awards through NYU’s Financial Aid Department: www.nyu.edu/financial.aid
Q Is part-time study permitted at the IFA?
A A full-time student takes three courses each term. It is not possible
to pursue a degree one course at time.
Q How can I obtain an application?
A You may download an application, request an application be
mailed to you, or apply directly online at www.nyu.edu/gsas/Admissions/ObtainApp.html.
Q Does the IFA have "rolling" admissions?
A No, applications for the next academic year are taken in
early January each year and the entering class determined soon thereafter. No
separate applications are accepted for the spring term.
Q What is the application submission deadline?
A Applications for 2008-2009 are due on December 18, 2007.
Q Should I indicate a field of specialization
in my application?
A Applicants without a declared field of specialization are
considered for the MA program. But if you have an area of special interest,
you should mention it, so that faculty appropriate to that area may read your
application.
Q Should I include a writing sample with my
application?
A Yes, a writing sample that demonstrates research and writing
skills appropriate to graduate study is required of all applicants.
Q How many letters of recommendation are required?
Must they all be academic?
A Three letters are required, but applicants may provide others.
Appropriate non-academic recommenders may certainly write on you behalf, but
an application without two or three very strong letters from academic art historians
is at a distinct disadvantage.
Q Are GREs required? Is there a minimum score
cutoff? What is the average score? How much importance is attached to the scores?
A The GRE exam is required of all applicants. There is no minimum
score cutoff and we do not maintain score statistics. Although most successful
applicants score very well in both the Verbal and Written portions (and in the
Math portion as well among Conservation applicants), GRE scores are a single
admissions indicator. Your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and
academic transcripts matter as much or more.
Q Is the TOEFL required of all international
students?
A The TOEFL exam is required of all students whose Bachelor's
degree (or its equivalent) was taught in a language other than English.
Q Should I send any part of the application
directly to the IFA?
A If possible, you should send all application material directly to the Graduate School of Arts and Science at the address indicated on the application. Support materials that become available after you have submitted your application may be sent directly to the Academic Office, Institute of Fine Arts, 1 East 78th Street, New York, NY 10075.
Q Are interviews required for admission?
A Interviews are not required. However, meetings or other contact with IFA faculty members are encouraged. The Academic Office at keith.kelly@nyu.edu can provide information about how best to contact individual faculty.
Q What is the timetable for admissions decisions?
A Applications are read throughout January and February and we invite the entering class in early March.
Q What percentage of applicants is admitted?
A About 25% of applicants are admitted.
Q What percentage of successful applicants
is offered fellowship support?
A Approximately 25% of those entering the art history programs are offered fellowship support in the first year. Most students accepted to the Conservation Program are offered support. These percentages increase strongly in subsequent years.
Q If I am accepted for next fall, may I defer my admission?
A Yes, but you may defer only until the spring term. If it proves necessary to delay entry until the next academic year, you must make a fresh application.