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Art History PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Art History

Pursue Temple’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and engage with the rigorous academic training required to attain teaching, research and curatorial positions at the highest levels of the discipline. This 30-credit hour PhD program is intentionally small so that each student’s primary advisor can provide one-on-one mentorship and personalized career development. 

Tyler’s Art History PhD students work closely with highly accomplished faculty who have diverse and global areas of expertise, including

  • new and emergent digital technologies,
  • modern and contemporary art, especially in North and Latin America,
  • Renaissance and Baroque Italy, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands,
  • the ancient Mediterranean,
  • the Islamic world, and
  • the history of prints, photography and media theory.

Access both the intimacy and collaborative spirit of a world-class school of art and architecture—with opportunities to study side-by-side with artists and designers—and the resources of a large, public, tier 1 research university. Take full advantage of the research opportunities created by Tyler’s location in Philadelphia—an affordable and vibrant center of art, culture and history situated near New York, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore—and at Temple University Rome, a leading center for interdisciplinary research and study abroad (fellowships are available). 

Students can supplement their Art History PhD with Temple’s Teaching in Higher Education Certificate, Cultural Analytics Graduate Certificate, arts management coursework and more. 

The doctoral program accepts students with a master’s degree in art history or a closely related field. Occasionally, exceptionally well-prepared students with a bachelor’s degree and strong art history background are admitted into our direct track 60-credit hour program without first earning a master’s degree.

Program Format & Curriculum  

The Art History PhD is offered on a part- or full-time basis and must be completed within seven years. All students enter the program with a primary advisor and work closely with them during their studies. 

The art history doctoral curriculum concentrates on Western art history, broadly conceived, including the ancient Mediterranean, early modern, Europe, Islamic, Latin America, and modern and contemporary in the United States. Curricula are informed by the historiography and critical theory of art history.  

Some courses you may take include the following.

  • Architecture as Performance: Space, Society and Spectacle in the Ottoman Empire
  • History and Theory of Printmaking 
  • Modern and Contemporary Art in Latin America 
  • Seminar on Ancient Art: Taking Place: Studying Place-making in the Ancient World
  • Seminar on Contemporary Art: Research Entanglements: Artistic Practice, Curatorial Work and Theory
  • Seminar on Early Modern Art: The Affective Image: Devotional, Erotic, Political
  • Seminar on Problems and Period Style: Ancient Counterfeits, Looting, and the Ethics of Collecting

Learn more about the coursework for the Art History PhD.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Philosophy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,148.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,577.00 per credit

You can view the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Our Advisors

Tyler's academic advising team offers every Tyler student one-on-one, personal and academic guidance, beginning at Orientation right through to graduation. Our academic advisors will help you chart your course through your program, and ensure you are on a clear path. 

Advisors are available to discuss registration, study abroad and staying on track to graduate, as well as policy and procedures and navigating other available resources across the university. 

Appointments with the advising team can be made by visiting the Student Tools tab in TUportal. General questions can be submitted to the team's virtual front desk during regular business hours, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Academic Advising Office 
Tyler 212  
2001 N. 13th St. 
Philadelphia, PA 19122 

Program Contact

For more information about the Art History PhD, please contact the following faculty.

Mariola Alvarez is an assistant professor and the director of graduate studies.
Email:

Jane DeRose Evans is a professor and the department chair. 
Email:   

Student Clubs & Organizations

Enhance your coursework, build meaningful networks and gain leadership experience by participating in student-led clubs and organizations. Below are examples of groups at Tyler that can help you grow academically, creatively and professionally. 

  • Graduate Arts Collective is a graduate, student-led organization that connects Tyler peers with resources, information, social events and other activities, including publication of the annual MFA thesis catalog. 
  • American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization. AIAS provides unmatched programs, information and resources on issues critical to architectural education. 
  • Art History Graduate Organization provides a forum for exchange of ideas that enriches the experience of graduate art history students, including events, guest lectures, interaction with alumni, museum trips and peer gatherings that support new students and aid advisors in recruiting prospective students. 
  • American Society of Landscape Architects, Student Chapter at Temple’s Ambler Campus works to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, education and fellowship. 
Study Away

Exposure to diverse cultures, environments and mindsets is essential for art, architecture and design students. At Tyler, you are encouraged to broaden your perspective and explore unique environments through study away programs. 

Programs to study in Rome are offered throughout the year. 

For a half-century, Temple Rome has been a center for hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, where the “Eternal City” is the classroom, the studio and the campus. It offers extensive experiences for art and architecture students, with courses in architecture, art history, drawing, liberal arts, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.  

The Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office is available to answer questions. 
Email:  
Phone: 215-204-0720

Accreditation

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s degree programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies. 

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s architecture and environmental design programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies. 

Additional Program Information