Prospective Students
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What programs of study are offered by the IFA?
A: We offer the following programs:
- Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in the History of Art and Archaeology;
- Dual Master of Arts in the History of Art and Archaeology and Advanced Certificate in the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works;
- 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 Curatorial Studies Certificate program in our doctoral 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 or non-degree student status. To take courses for credit, you must be pursuing a degree in a 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 via the IFA Connoisseurs Circle.  For further information, please contact Hope O'Reilly via .

Q: How long does it take to complete the programs offered by the IFA?

A: That depends upon which program:
- The M.A. program takes two years for full-time students or three years for part time;
- The Conservation Certificate, which combines the MA in art history with specific conservation courses and a year-long internship, takes a total of four years;
- The Ph.D. program is designed for six years of full time study, or fewer for those entering with a MA;
- 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 300 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. Please refer to the Degree Requirements for each program’s specific prerequisites.

Q: What languages are required to study at the IFA?

A: The ability to translate a foreign language, with the use of dictionary, is required for all degrees. MA students can choose to be tested in French, German or Italian. PhD students will be tested in two modern languages of their choosing.

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 PhD application and should make contact with an IFA faculty member appropriate to their intended area of doctoral study.

Students interested in the conservation program will have their MA reviewed by the Director of Master’s Studies. Depending on the equivalency to our MA program, your length of study at the IFA could be shortened.

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 ifa.program@nyu.edu, we can help arrange tours, meetings with faculty and students, as well as visits to classes. For visits to the conservation program, call 212-992-5848 or email conservation.program@nyu.edu. 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: Is part-time study permitted at the IFA?

A: The Institute currently allows part-time study for MA students employed in a related profession. Part-time students are expected to pursue two courses each semester. 
There is no part-time study in the conservation program.

Q: How can I obtain an application?

A: You 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 mid-December 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: See the Prospective Student pages for current application deadlines.

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: 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 your 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 release score statistics. Although most successful applicants score very well in both the Verbal and Written portions, 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: 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 prior to submitting an application. However, meetings or other contact with IFA faculty members are encouraged for PhD applicants. The Academic Office can provide information about how best to contact individual faculty.

Successful applicants to the conservation and PhD programs will be invited to interview with the admissions committee. There are no interviews for MA applicants.

Q: What is the timetable for admissions decisions?

A: Applications for the MA and PhD programs are read throughout January and February and we invite the entering class in March.
Applications to the conservation program are read throughout January with interview decisions being made in late February. Interviews are held the last week of March with an invitation to join the entering class sent by April 15. Decisions to students are expected by May 1.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Academic Calendar
Faculty Directory
Faculty & Fields of Study

Degree Requirements [PDF]
  M.A. | Ph.D. | Conservation

Special Programs
  Curatorial Studies
  Excavations
  IFA Global Study Opportunities
  IFA-Frick Symposium
  Levy & White Travel Grant

Course Descriptions [PDF]
  Art History: Fall '11 | Spring '12 | Archive
  Conservation: Fall '11 | Spring '12

Financing Graduate Study
  Tuition Costs and Billing
  NYU Financial Aid
  GSAS Dean's Student Travel Grant

Academic Office
tel: 212-992-5868
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