Visual Studies offers a Graduate Emphasis to current UCI graduate students working towards the PhD or MFA degree. As Visual Studies is an inherently interdisciplinary area of study, our emphasis complements a wide array of other fields and supports students’ research interests in the methods, study, and analysis of the visual, the image, and representation.

The emphasis consists of four courses: Visual Studies 290C (usually offered only in spring quarter) and three other Visual Studies seminars. Students seeking the emphasis are also strongly encouraged to incorporate a Visual Studies theme, approach, or topic into their dissertation.

To apply for the emphasis, students should contact the Graduate Director and submit the following materials:

  • a short statement discussing their interest in the emphasis in the context of their research interests and objectives
  • list of previous coursework (undergraduate or graduate) related to Visual Studies
  • current cv
  • unofficial transcripts
  • brief letter of support from their advisor or program director