Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts

The Ph.D. in Visual and Performing Arts degree program is designed primarily for individuals who wish to conduct advanced research and to teach at the college level and can lead to a wide variety of non-academic careers as well. It is open to qualified candidates who desire to enhance their knowledge and skills.

The program provides students with a flexible, interdisciplinary context within which to pursue their studies, built on connections among specific courses and areas of interest. Each student plans an individual program of studies in consultation with an assigned advisor.

Visual and Performing Arts is an interdisciplinary program of study, so students take the majority of their coursework in Visual and Performing Arts courses, but must also take two seminars each in both History of Ideas and Literature. Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Visual and Performing Arts may submit a creative project as part of their dissertation.

Graduates of the program seek positions such as artists, performers, teachers, researchers, arts administrators, arts entrepreneurs, arts writers/critics, editors, museum staff, consultants, archivists, and other positions in research or professional practice. Career settings may include higher education, non-profits, cultural and historical organizations, publishing houses, government agencies, international development organizations, museums and archives, business/corporate entities, and independent consulting.