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 only to students in the doctoral program.
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:
steinhardt.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 non-matriculated student status. To take courses at the IFA, you must be pursuing a graduate degree at NYU or be a Visiting Student from another university's graduate art history program as part of the inter-university doctoral consortium.
Q: May I audit courses at the IFA?
A: Auditing opportunities are available via the
Connoisseurs Circle. For further information, please contact Andrea Yglesias:
andrea.yglesias@nyu.edu.
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 M.A. 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, fully-funded study;
- 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. M.A. students can choose to be tested in French, German or Italian. Ph.D. 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 M.A. in art history must include their thesis or another substantial writing sample with their Ph.D. application and should make contact with an IFA faculty member appropriate to their intended area of doctoral study.
Those interested in the conservation program and have obtained an M.A. elsewhere should contact
conservation.program@nyu.edu for specific instructions about applying for the certificate.
Q: May I tour the IFA, visit classes, and meet faculty and students?
A: Yes, we welcome visitors to the Institute.
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.
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 M.A. 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
http://gsas.nyu.edu/page/grad.admissions.
Q: Does the IFA have "rolling" admissions?
A: No, applications for the next academic year are taken in mid-December and are not reviewed prior to that date.
Q: What is the application submission deadline?
A: See the Submitting an Application page for this year’s deadline.
Q: Should I indicate a field of specialization in my application?
A: Applicants to the PhD program must declare a field of specialization and a potential faculty advisor. If you are an applicant to the M.A. program and 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 in art history is required of all applicants. There is no page limit for the writing sample.
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 the application deadline 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 PhD and conservation programs will be invited to interview with the admissions committees.
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.
For the conservation program, applications 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 by students are expected by May 1.
