LSU Art History: FAQs

Must I have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Art History in order to apply to your program?
No, a BA in Art History is not required, but a range of undergraduate courses in Art History is highly desirable.
What graduate degrees do you offer in the LSU Art History program?
LSU offers a Master’s program only.
Do I need to apply to the Art History Area as well as the Graduate School?
No, you should apply online directly to the Graduate School by going to the LSU website (www.LSU.edu) and clicking on the words “APPLY ONLINE,” located immediately below the LSU logo. This applies to everything but your letters of recommendation. At least two letters, printed on your recommenders’ official, letterhead stationery, should be sent directly to the Art History Area Coordinator.
What must I submit in order to apply to the LSU Art History graduate program?
Graduate School application, including personal “statement of purpose”; appropriate test scores (GRE and, for most international applicants, TOEFL); official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities; and at least two letters of recommendation written on official, letterhead stationery.
When are the deadlines for graduate applications?
March 1 for the following fall semester and October 1 for the following spring semester.
Can I attend the graduate time part-time or in the evenings?
Yes, the program does allow for part-time attendance. An evening only option is not offered.
What are the minimum GRE score and GPA of those students accepted to the program?
Applicants are expected to have a combined score of at least 1,000 on the verbal and quantitative (math) portions of the GRE, as well as an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (B or better). Students with slightly lower scores or GPAs are occasionally accepted on probation, and this is decided on a case by case basis.
Do I have to know a foreign language prior to applying to your program?
No. However, you must pass an exam designed to test your ability to read a foreign language before receiving your degree. Customarily French or German is preferred, but a different language may be substituted if it is directly relevant to the student’s major field.
Does LSU offer financial aid to those in graduate programs?
Yes. Some assistantships are available to graduate students for a period not to exceed two years. Art History assistantships are nine-month positions, most of which involve work as faculty assistants for twenty hours per week. The assistantships carry annual stipends plus a full tuition waiver. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis and all applicants are eligible to be considered. No special form is required.
How many years does it take to complete the Art History graduate program at LSU?
The MA in Art History at LSU is designed as a two-year program though some students take two and a half years to complete the degree.
If I have a question not found on this list, whom can I contact?
Please address all questions to the Art History Area Coordinator or Graduate Advisor.