Fine Arts, Ph.D. with a Track in Art

Art Concentration: Critical Studies and Artistic Practice

The School of Art participates with the faculties in music, theatre & dance, and philosophy in an interdisciplinary program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Fine Arts. Students engage a core curriculum of 15 hours that emphasizes interdisciplinarity among the arts: four required courses include a colloquium that explores disciplinary formation and types of interdisciplinary engagement; arts histories; arts in a contemporary context; and philosophical aesthetics. An additional approved topics or aesthetics course completes a students core program. Within the disciplinary track (art), is offered a concentration termedCritical Studies and Artistic Practice.

In addition to the fine arts core curriculum, students engage aCritical Studies and Artistic Practice Core of 12 hours, consisting of interdisciplinary topics in the visual arts. Beyond the two groups of core classes, students must complete a minimum of 33 hours of individualized coursework, including 12 hours of dissertation work. Individualized coursework may be chosen, with consent of the advisor, from two of the following fields of study: history of art, art education, critical studies, museum studies, arts administration, and studio art (if the student holds an appropriate masters), as well as theatre and music. The residence requirement for the doctoral program with major in Fine Arts is fulfilled by satisfactory completion of 18 semester hours of graduate coursework during one 12-month period. This is usually accomplished with one consecutive fall-spring schedule, or summer sessions I and II consecutive with either a fall or a spring semester. The complete program is explained in the introductory catalog section to the Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts.

For acceptance into the doctoral program, we strongly recommend but do not require that the applicant have a masters degree, or its equivalent, with emphasis in a visual arts area. Every effort is made to select candidates who show strong scholarship and professional competence. Art doctoral faculty will evaluate each applicants professional goals and any evidence of progress toward these goals. More specific qualifications will pertain to specific career directions. Applicants must include GRE scores.

For admission into this program, the art doctoral faculty review the applicants dossier. A personal interview is recommended. If approved, the applicant is recommended by the committee to the colleges Graduate Committee for acceptance into the program. Acceptance is also contingent upon meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate School. After admission, a specific degree plan is determined.

Graduation requirements include a minimum cumulative Texas Tech University GPA of 2.0 for all courses, including repeated courses, attempted in the degree program in which students seek graduation. To obtain a degree granted by the university, at least 25 percent of the total semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by Texas Tech University. Students in their semester of graduation must be enrolled in a minimum of one credit-bearing semester hour.

• Applicant attended four (4) consecutive long semesters of credit-bearing/non-development/non-ESL courses at an accredited post-secondary school in the U.S.
• Attended two (2) consecutive years of high school in the United States.
• Attended two (2) consecutive years of high school with U.S. accreditation or within an English proficiency exempt country
• Applicants from the below English Proficiency exempt countries (must provide proof with passport)

• Unofficial copies of transcripts, and test scores are required for application evaluation purposes. If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts, diplomas/degree certificates, and test scores. Please do not send official transcripts until you have received a notice of acceptance from Texas Tech Graduate School.
• Provide Program Materials: In addition to transcripts and test scores, most Texas Tech graduate programs require supplemental materials for admission review. These materials may include (but are not limited to) items such as a statement of purpose, recommendations, writing samples, creative portfolio, etc. Supplemental materials are reviewed by the department only, not the Office of Graduate Admission. Please refer to the homepage of your intended graduate department as well as the instructions on the "Program Materials" quadrant on our online application to verify which supplemental materials are needed. You may also find the required material here.
• While you will be able to add to certain segments on the application (e.g. test scores) post submission, you will not be able to make revisions once the application has been submitted.
• Submitting incorrect information on your application or failing to include important details can delay the admissions process.