Apply
How to Apply
Application for admission with consideration for scholarship and financial aid for the fall term must be filed in full by January 1.
Please read carefully before beginning your application
Art History M.A.
Admission to the M.A. program is selective. In most cases, a minimum of 12 credit hours of undergraduate art history above the survey level or equivalent is required a student to be considered for admission to the M.A. program. Please speak with the Director of Graduate Studies to determine whether you meet this requirement.
Art History Ph.D.
To be admitted to the Ph.D. program, an applicant must have obtained a B.A. or M.A. from a four-year accredited college or university. Admission to the Ph.D. program is selective. In most cases, a minimum of 12 credit hours of undergraduate art history above the survey level or equivalent is required for a student to be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program. Please speak with the Director of Graduate Studies to determine whether you meet this requirement.
Deadline and Application Fee
To assure full consideration for the fall term, application should be completed online and ALL supporting materials pertaining to the application for admission should be delivered to the Graduate Application Processing Office BEFORE January 1. Materials received from applicants who do not enroll will be retained by the Meadows Graduate Office for one year. All documents become the property of Southern Methodist University and cannot be returned. A $75.00 non-refundable application fee is required.
Transcripts
Request in writing one official transcript from the Registrar of each college or university previously attended, including summer terms. These may be sent directly to Graduate Application Processing, PO BOX 518, Dallas, TX, 75275-0518 or by email to gradappmaterials@smu.edu. Do not open sealed envelopes if the transcripts are sent to you, instead, mail them to Graduate Application Processing. A supplementary transcript covering work in progress at the time of the application must be furnished upon completion of that work. International transcripts that are not in English must be accompanied by official translations and evaluations.
Recommendations
Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation should be requested from professors who know the personal and academic qualifications of the applicant. When completing an online application, applicants will have the opportunity to arrange for letters to be delivered electronically to the references listed. Applicants will need a valid email address for each reference and upon submission, notification will be emailed to them directly with instructions on submitting a web-recommendation form on behalf of the applicant. We will also accept drafted letters by mail or email through Graduate Application Processing.
Personal Statement
Applicants are required to write a personal statement outlining their reasons for application to the graduate program in Art History. Describe your personal and intellectual background and goals, and explain how Southern Methodist University will affect those objectives. Include information such as special activities, interests and achievements, foreign language capabilities, and travel. We encourage you to reach out to potential advisors in advance of your application.
Writing Sample
Applicants to the Art History program must submit with their application a sample paper (preferably a research paper or a comparable piece of written research).
GRE
Applications to the graduate programs in Art History are now GRE optional. Applicants who would like to submit GRE test scores should have them sent from the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey directly to “Southern Methodist U”: School Code 6660, Department Code 2301 Art History and Criticism.
TOEFL
Non-U.S. citizens who are residents outside the U.S. must take the TOEFL (iBT is preferred) and achieve a minimum overall score of 80 with minimums in each section of 20. The TOEFL requirement may be waived only if the candidate has a previous degree from an English-speaking university or has completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in the U.S.
Financial Aid
Scholarships and graduate assistantships for qualified, admitted students are available from the graduate division. Candidates for graduate awards are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is not required from international students on the F-1 visa. For additional information, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Meadows School of the Arts, PO Box 750356, Dallas, Texas 75275-0356 (telephone 214/768-3314).
Additional Documents Required for International Applicants
We welcome international applicants at SMU and into the Meadows School of the Arts! Our campus has a significant international graduate student body and we believe that international students provide diverse perspectives and backgrounds that are invaluable in graduate educations. Click here to review a list of additional requirements, extended information, and list of resources for International Applicants.
Submission and Contact Information
All materials regarding the application should be directed to the following:
Graduate Application Processing
PO BOX 518
Dallas, TX 75275-0518
You may also email application-related documents to gradappmaterials@smu.edu.
Questions regarding the application or admission process may be directed to:
Meadows Admission Office
meadowsgrad@smu.edu
214-768-3217