Current Student FAQs
Selection of Comprehensive Readings and Exam
1. When should I start the comprehensive readings procedure? Near the end of your coursework.
2. Can I choose my own reading’s professor? No, the Art History Graduate Coordinator will assign a faculty member to you.
3. When should I take the comprehensive readings? You are required to complete all other coursework before you can take the comprehensive exam.
4. Can I take the comprehensive readings before completing my thesis? Yes.
5. How do I register for comprehensive, directed readings, or a thesis? An Individualized Section Form is initiated by Sharon Bloomquist after approval is given by the Art History Graduate Coordinator. It is the student’s responsibility to hand-carry the form to the registrar’s office to register for the course.
6. How do I register my thesis with the library? Contact Sarah Patton, in Fenwick Library at 703-993-2222 or e-mail at spatton@gmu.edu.
7. How do I study for the comprehensive exam? Contact your readings professor to ask what topics will be covered.
8. How are comprehensive readings and exams graded? Students will receive a standard letter grade for the readings course, and a grade of pass, pass with distinction, or fail for the comprehensive exam.
9. How will I find out the results of my comprehensive exam? The results will be emailed to you by the History Graduate Office and a memo of the results will be faxed to the graduation office in the Registrar’s office.
Program Requirements
1. What are provisional requirements? Provisional requirements are those requirements that are recommended for students who may not have majored in Art History as an undergraduate. They may be required to take upper level undergraduate Art History courses beyond the credits required for the masters program. It is recommended that you take these courses early in your coursework, but they may be taken any time.
2. Is there a form that lists all my requirements for the program? Yes, there are program of study forms available online.
3. Is there a foreign language requirement? Yes.
4. Where do I get a copy of my official transcript? You may request a copy of your official transcript from the Registrar’s office.
Advising and Appointments
1. Whom do I contact for an appointment after being admitted to the program? Email the Art History Graduate Coordinator, Ellen Wiley Todd to request an appointment.
2. Who is my advisor? The Art History Graduate Coordinator Ellen Wiley Todd is the advisor for all current Art History masters students.
3. Where do I go to find a professor’s specific expertise? Check the History and Art History Department’s web site http://history.gmu.edu and click on the Faculty and Staff link.
4. What are a particular professor’s office hours? You must call any staff member in the department to obtain office hours for a specific professor.
5. What are the hours for the History Graduate Office? 7:30 am – 1:30 pm., Monday – Friday.
6. Do I need to bring anything to my appointment? Student files will be given to the Art History Graduate Coordinator to review at the time of the appointment.
7. Where do I get a copy of course descriptions and syllabus? You may find course descriptions and syllabi on the web site.
8. How will I know when, where, and what books I need to get for the semester? Booklists for every course are submitted to the bookstore every semester.
9. Why are my grades not showing up in the current semester? Your first grade has not been posted.
Graduation
1. How do I know when I have met all my requirements for the Art History MA degree? Students must contact the Graduate Office or request a degree audit from the Registrar’s office.
2. What parts of the application do I need to complete? All you need to do is file your intent to graduate in Patriot Web.
Assistantships
1. How do I apply for an assistantship? Request an Assistantship Application from Sharon Bloomquist in the History Graduate Office.
2. What is the deadline for applying for an assistantship? April 15.
3. How do I apply for financial assistance? To inquire about financial aid at the university, you must visit their website at http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/tuition/#Anchor34
4. What are my chances of obtaining an assistantship as a masters student? Assistantships are very competitive at the Masters level because most of our assistantships go to doctoral students. Masters students must apply every year to the History Graduate Office.
5. How many credits are covered by tuition waivers? Masters students must be registered for six credits to be considered for an assistantship and all six credits are covered by tuition waivers.
Registration
1. How can graduate students register for undergraduate courses in order to fulfill their language requirement? Fax a request to the Registrar’s office at 703-993-4668. Please include your name, G#, course #, phone #, and your signature.
2. What is the deadline for registration? Registration deadlines are posted every semester on the Registrar’s website at http://registrar.gmu.edu/
3. Do I need to be advised before registering for classes? No, but it is recommended.
4. What are CRN numbers? They are 5 -digit course numbers used to register in Patriot Web.
5. Where can I get a copy of the current semester’s brochure? Email the request to the History Graduate Office.
Program Notes
Students must get their parking pass at the Sandy Creek Parking Deck and identification card at the Student Union II building on campus.
MASTERS PROGRAM MOST FREQUENTLY USED LINKS:
Patriot Web https://patriotweb.gmu.edu
History Website http://history.gmu.edu
Registrar’s Office http://registrar.gmu.edu/
Summer Website http://summer.gmu.edu
Library Website (Dissertations & theses) http://thesis.gmu.edu/
Human Resources http://hr.gmu.edu/
Consortium Services http://registrar.gmu.edu/students/consortium/index.html
Financial Aid http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/tuition/#Anchor34
Registrar Student Resources http://registrar.gmu.edu/students/index.html
University Forms http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/index.html
People Finder http://www.gmu.edu/mlnavbar/finder/
Campus Tours http://admissions.gmu.edu/common/visitMason.asp
Why Choose Mason? (Click on the video) http://admissions.gmu.edu/common/whyMason.asp