PhD in Art History, Criticism and Conservation (PhD)

At Cornell University, tuition is Students are typically supported through fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships that cover tuition and provide a stipend..

This PhD programme focuses on advanced research in art history, archaeology, and visual studies with a strong emphasis on methodological training and scholarly inquiry. Students develop expertise in a major concentration and two minor areas, often drawing from other disciplines. The programme integrates coursework, research, and teaching through structured milestones and committee supervision. Students engage in original research leading to a dissertation defended before a faculty committee.

Focus areas include American art, Ancient art and archaeology, Medieval art, Modern art, Asian art, Baroque art.

Students complete 12 to 14 graded courses and four semesters of teaching assistantships unless funded by a fellowship. The programme requires a dissertation and includes mandatory research courses each semester until graduation.

Graduates pursue academic careers in higher education, museum research, and specialized archival or curatorial roles.

Applicants must submit three recommendations, a writing sample, and meet English language proficiency requirements. The application deadline for the Fall term is December 15.

In Person, Full-time, Typically 6 to 7 years. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.