Art Conservation (MS)

Program Educational Goals:

Graduates will enter the field as professionals who demonstrate foundational knowledge of evolving conservation history, theory, and practice; materials sciences; cultural heritage technology, values, and significance; relevant legal, ethical, and societal issues; and health and safety policies and regulations.

Graduates will enter the field as professionals who are competent in performing examinations, documentation, risk assessment, analysis, interventive and/or preventive care of objects and collections, guided by investigation, scientific research, experience, and consultation with stakeholders.

Graduates will contribute to the field as professionals who communicate clearly and effectively with cultural heritage stakeholders on technical, conceptual, and philosophical issues. As part of collaboration, service, and advocacy, they translate cultural heritage terminology and philosophical precepts into written and/or spoken language that allows those outside the field to understand their findings, observations, interpretations, interventions, and rationales.

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Requirements for the Degree:

The MS in Art Conservation requires 68 credit including 6 credits of electives. Courses carrying an ARTC designation are generally open only to art conservation graduate students. (Permission of instructor is required for other students.) There is no thesis or language requirement in the program. A research/technical study paper is done in the second year. Comprehensive examinations are given at the end of the first and second years, and a portfolio of third-year work and a final oral presentation and oral examination are required before graduation. Two eight-week summer work projects are part of the required curriculum.

First-Year Academic Program

Fall Semester

ARTC 615 - Properties and Structure of Art Materials I Credit(s): 3
ARTC 656 - Conservation Principles I Credit(s): 6
ARTC 670 - Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials I Credit(s): 3

Spring Semester

ARTC 616 - Conservation Research Methods Credit(s): 3
ARTC 657 - Conservation Principles II Credit(s): 6
ARTC 671 - Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials II Credit(s): 3
Comprehensive examination.

Second-Year Academic Program

Summer

Summer Work Project - 8 weeks

Fall Semester

ARTC 650 - Seminar in Art Conservation Credit(s): 1
ARTC 658 - Topics: Advanced Apprenticeship and Research in Art Conservation I Credit(s): 6
ARTC 672 - Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials III Credit(s): 3
One three-credit elective course*
and/or
ARTC 666 - Independent Study Credit(s): 1-12

Spring Semester

ARTC 650 - Seminar in Art Conservation Credit(s): 1
ARTC 659 - Topics: Advanced Apprenticeship and Research in Art Conservation II Credit(s): 6
ARTC 673 - Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in the Examination of Art Materials IV Credit(s): 3
One three-credit elective course*
and/or
ARTC 666 - Independent Study Credit(s): 1-12
Qualifying examination.

Note:

* Students are permitted one three-credit elective per semester for the second year of study (a total of six elective credits within the 68 credits required for graduation). Elective course work should focus on the following topics: (1) history of the technology of cultural property; (2) connoisseurship and provenance studies; (3) reconstruction studies in studio arts and crafts; (4) museum studies. Elective courses may include course offerings in Art Conservation and other relevant departments/programs including Art History, Anthropology, Art, Museum Studies and the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture or courses offered via cooperative agreements arranged by the Art Conservation Department or other University departments with other higher education institutions. Independent study topics may be negotiated between faculty and students. Independent study topics may not duplicate the content of existing University of Delaware courses. A total of six credits of independent study may be permitted during the first two years of study.

Third-Year Academic Program

Summer

Summer Work Project - 8 weeks

Fall Semester

ARTC 870 - Internship in Conservation Credit(s): 1-9

Spring Semester

ARTC 870 - Internship in Conservation Credit(s): 1-9
Final portfolio, oral presentation and oral examination.

Art Conservation (MS)

Program Educational Goals:

Program Policy Document:

Requirements for the Degree:

First-Year Academic Program

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Second-Year Academic Program

Summer

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Note:

Third-Year Academic Program

Summer

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Credits to Total a Minimum of 68

Last Revised for 2022-2023 Academic Year