Foreign Language Requirement

For most careers in the history of art and architecture, a knowledge of foreign languages, especially French and German, is extremely important and often a fundamental requirement.  Students in the M.A. Program are expected to read in a foreign language in connection with their academic work, especially in seminars.

Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of French, German, or Italian in order to receive the M.A. degree, and they must pass a language examination before becoming eligible to take the M.A. Examination.  In special cases, students may petition for recognition of another language that is directly related to research in their field of interest to fulfill the requirement.

The written examination requires translating a selected passage of art-historical writing into English.  The passage must be translated in 90 minutes with the use of a dictionary.  The GPD administers the examination once at the beginning of each semester.  Individual exams will not be given for students who do not pass at the beginning of the semester.  All students are required to take the examination during their first semester and subsequently until they have passed it.  The faculty considers language proficiency in making awards for Teaching Assistantships.

Students who do not pass the examination at once are required to take for credit or officially audit a language course during their first semester.  They must continue to take language courses or other concrete steps toward learning a language, as determined by the GPD, until the requirement is met.  In exceptional circumstances graduate-level study of a foreign language may satisfy the requirement.