An innovative graduate program with an emphasis on visual and cultural studies, Rochester's Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies provides students with an opportunity to study critically and analyze visual culture from a social-historical perspective. The Program stresses the close interpretation of artistic production within historical and cultural frameworks. The Visual and Cultural Studies Program, housed in the Department of Art and Art History, offers an interdisciplinary doctoral degree drawing on coursework and faculty expertise in several University of Rochester humanities departments. Because the primary faculty work in Art and Art History, Film Studies, Modern Languages and Cultures, and Anthropology, students are able to relate literary and cultural theory to visual culture, and to investigate the connections between cultural productions, critical theory, and society. Students may also take courses in such departments as History, English, Music, and Philosophy.

The Program accepts five to seven graduate students each year, and most students receive some form of financial aid. Currently there are twenty-nine students in residence. About twenty faculty members participate in the program each year, including the Visual and Cultural Studies Steering Committee, which guides the Program.

The deadline for applications is February 1st for the following September. Offers of admission are sent to applicants by mid-March. To apply click on this Application link which takes you to the online application. Along with the application, students are requested to submit a personal statement (can be submitted online), three letters of recommendation, official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a writing sample (cannot be accepted by email, mailed hardcopy only), and GRE scores. International students must also supply TOEFL scores. Please send all supporting documents to the department office address listed at the bottom of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions -- Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies

University of Rochester's Graduate Studies Bulletin

Invisible Culture: an Electronic Journal for Visual Studies, edited by VCS graduate students

VCS Graduate Student Conference

For additional information contact:

Academic questions:
Joan Saab
Director
Phone (585) 275-7922

Administrative questions:
Martin Collier, Administrative Assistant
Phone (585) 275-7451