Thank you for your interest in Berkeley's graduate program in the History of Art.

Applicants must, first and foremost, complete the online application. Be sure to also download and submit the History of Art Supplementary Application available as a PDF file. Your application file will not be reviewed without both the online AND the supplementary applications.

Please send all supplemental application materials to
Anna Gazdowicz
416 Doe Library #6020
Berkeley, CA 94720-6020

The faculty seek candidates whose preparation and achievement demonstrate that they will be able to make rapid progress toward a doctorate degree and to complete their studies with distinction. Such qualifications cannot be precisely defined; extensive study in the history of art is not always a strict requisite. We do, however, prefer previous study in a discipline in the humanities or social sciences, study involving historical content and the acquisition of research and interpretative skills, as well as effective writing abilities. The capacity to read the appropriate foreign languages is also an important requirement; successful applicants will generally have a strong reading fluency in one language and a good start in another. For specific language requirements according to your field of interest, please see the Graduate Program Description.

The faculty considers the Statement of Purpose to be one of the most important parts of your application. The Statement should describe your preparation, academic interests, and professional goals. We look for a clear, well-written essay that demonstrates a sophisticated sense of the field of art history and that indicates the scholarly direction you wish to take. We look for applicants whose statements give signs of a creative intellect. Another important factor affecting the decision of the Admissions Committee is the compatibility of your research interests with those of our faculty. To see a list of our current faculty members and their fields of expertise, please go to our Faculty webpage. Please note that we also require a Personal History statement.

You should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to the History of Art Department. Such letters are most helpful when they speak specifically to the applicant's achievement and potential in the history of art, or in related fields such as history, languages and literature, with an emphasis on recent academic work. It is your responsibility to make sure these recommendations reach us in time. In addition, one official and sealed transcript from each college or university attended must be submitted to the department by the application deadline.

The GRE General Exam is required by the History of Art department for domestic applicants who attended college in the US, applicants from abroad whose native language is English, and those who have studied full-time for one year or more in schools or universities where English is the language of instruction. Foreign applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Because there is sometimes a delay in forwarding the results, the exam(s) should be taken early, preferably in the early fall. For the GRE use institution code 4833 and department code 2301. For the TOEFL the institution code for Berkeley is 4833 and the department code for History of Art is 26.

All applicants are required to submit one writing sample of approximately 20 pages. Post-MA applicants should submit their master's thesis. Please do not use special folders or binding as it delays processing of your application and does not improve your chances of admission. Writing samples will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.

All applications for Fall 2007 admission (with or without fellowship consideration) must submitted online by December 15, and supplemental materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, supplementary application, and writing sample) must be postmarked by December 15, 2007. We accept applications only for the Fall semester. Please note that the Department will not review your application until we have received all documents along with the $60 application fee for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or $80 for all other applicants (payable online). Fee waiver request forms are available with the online application; read and follow instructions carefully.

Applicants awarded admission and/or fellowship support will be notified by the Graduate Division by late March, and must accept or decline any award by April 15. The Department may send advance notification, especially to enable potential students to visit Berkeley.

Your application will be kept on file in the department for two years. Please note that supporting materials cannot be returned, and will not be retained beyond the two-year limit. For information on reapplying, or reactivating a past application, please consult the Graduate Division.

If you have any questions not answered on our website, inquiries may be sent by email to arthist_grad@berkeley.edu.