Skip to content
Here you can carry out art historical and design research; apply the theories and practice of information science; design and curate digital libraries, archives, and exhibitions; and communicate arts content and design effectively across diverse cultures and societies.
Pratt students at the Morgan Library Reading Room (courtesy Polly Cancro, History of Art and Design / Library and Information Science '18)

Pratt students at the Morgan Library Reading Room (courtesy Polly Cancro, History of Art and Design / Library and Information Science '18)

Type
Graduate, MAL
Start Term
Fall Only
Credits
60
Duration
3 years (typically)
Courses
Plan of Study
Student reading in the book stacks of the history Pratt Library on the Brooklyn campus.

History of Art and Design / Library and Information Science at Pratt

The MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design dual-degree program prepares you for careers in art and design, museum, and academic libraries. In this program, you will become an expert on the intersection of art and design and information, going deep into art, design, and historical archives, art and design collections, and more. With fellowship opportunities at NYC’s leading museums, libraries, and archives, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frick Art Reference Library, and MoMA, the dual-degree program offers unique experiential learning opportunities.

Student Work

You may also browse completed M.A. History of Art & Design Theses at the Pratt Institute Libraries.

The Experience

professor speaking with class, reviewing artwork onsite

Students in the dual-degree MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design program get to experience all Pratt has to offer by taking half of their program (30 credits) at the School of Information based in Manhattan, and the other half in the Department of History of Art and Design on the Brooklyn campus (30 credits). The first two years students take courses in both departments, with much of the thesis work taking place in the third year. With class sizes of just 8-12, you’ll collaborate closely with your cohort and faculty and be learning at the nexus of NYC arts and culture communities.

Internships

Internships at museums, libraries, nonprofit art organizations, and galleries provide professional opportunities in your area of interest and prepare you for future careers. Recent students have interned at prestigious institutions such as the New York Public Library, Franklin Furnace, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Study Abroad

Bernini's fountain in the Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy.

We are pleased to offer study abroad options for dual-degree students, including a new course offered for the first time during spring break 2024: “Artist Archives: Rome/New York”. We also recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of Pratt in Venice, which is a 6-week program that occurs each June and July. For more information on Study Abroad, see where you can go.

Learning Resources

We develop disciplinary fluency in our program of study and we celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of design critical to address the plurality and complexity of the environments in which we operate. Learning resources.

Our Faculty

Pratt’s distinguished faculty of outstanding creative professionals and scholars share a common desire to develop each student’s potential and creativity to the fullest. Bringing different views, methods, and perspectives, they provide a rigorous educational model in which students make and learn. See all History of Art and Design faculty and administrators and School of Information faculty and administrators.

Our Alumni

Pratt’s distinguished alumni are leading diverse and thriving careers, addressing critical challenges and creating innovative work that reimagines our world.

Where They Work

  • Librarian, Photographs and Prints Division, New York Public Library
  • Archivist, Center for Brooklyn History at Brooklyn Public Library
  • IT Project Manager, J. Paul Getty Trust
  • Head, Reference & Reader Services, Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Web Collection Librarian, Columbia University Libraries
  • Dean and Director of Libraries, Bard College

Success Stories

Ready for More?

HERE’S HOW TO APPLYOUR CAMPUS & BEYOND
Join us at Pratt. Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.You’ll find yourself at home at Pratt. Learn more about our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, gallery exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighborhood communities. Check us out.

Social media

@prattischool
Pratt iSchool

@prattischool

  • Free Events, New Tools, Student & Faculty News, and more in the Sept. '24 @prattischool newsletter. Link available in our bio.
  • The information you see changes the world that you perceive—this is the idea at the heart of the School of Information here at Pratt. Across four core programs, we explore everything from algorithms to archives with the goal of improving lives and culture through information. Through hands-on learning experiences, you’ll not only learn how to manage knowledge and information, but how to make it useful, available, and accessible to all.

To learn more about our masters programs, sign-up to attend an upcoming information session. Next session is September 10 at 6pm ET.  Link to sign-up is available in our bio.
  • The scaffolding is finally coming down from Pratt Manhattan Center, just in time for classes to start on August 26!
  • It's the August '24 School of Information newsletter with details on our 5th Annual Ethics & Technology Forum, new faculty publications, student work, and more! Link available in our bio.
  • Playing cards are all the rage these days! In this Pratt News article, find out about some of the ways they are being used, including work from Profs. Shruthi Chivukula, Nancy Smith, and Claudia Berger (MSLIS ’21), as well as recent alums Erica Weidner (MSLIS ’24), Gabriella Evergreen (MSLIS ’24), Meina Naeymirad (MSLIS ’23) and Abby Hurst (MSIXD ‘23). Link available in our bio.
  • Students head to Princeton, faculty start a research group, and more news in the July School of Information newsletter; link available in our bio.
Free Events, New Tools, Student & Faculty News, and more in the Sept. '24 @prattischool newsletter. Link available in our bio.
Free Events, New Tools, Student & Faculty News, and more in the Sept. '24 @prattischool newsletter. Link available in our bio.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
The information you see changes the world that you perceive—this is the idea at the heart of the School of Information here at Pratt. Across four core programs, we explore everything from algorithms to archives with the goal of improving lives and culture through information. Through hands-on learning experiences, you’ll not only learn how to manage knowledge and information, but how to make it useful, available, and accessible to all.

To learn more about our masters programs, sign-up to attend an upcoming information session. Next session is September 10 at 6pm ET.  Link to sign-up is available in our bio.
The information you see changes the world that you perceive—this is the idea at the heart of the School of Information here at Pratt. Across four core programs, we explore everything from algorithms to archives with the goal of improving lives and culture through information. Through hands-on learning experiences, you’ll not only learn how to manage knowledge and information, but how to make it useful, available, and accessible to all.

To learn more about our masters programs, sign-up to attend an upcoming information session. Next session is September 10 at 6pm ET.  Link to sign-up is available in our bio.
The information you see changes the world that you perceive—this is the idea at the heart of the School of Information here at Pratt. Across four core programs, we explore everything from algorithms to archives with the goal of improving lives and culture through information. Through hands-on learning experiences, you’ll not only learn how to manage knowledge and information, but how to make it useful, available, and accessible to all.

To learn more about our masters programs, sign-up to attend an upcoming information session. Next session is September 10 at 6pm ET.  Link to sign-up is available in our bio.
The information you see changes the world that you perceive—this is the idea at the heart of the School of Information here at Pratt. Across four core programs, we explore everything from algorithms to archives with the goal of improving lives and culture through information. Through hands-on learning experiences, you’ll not only learn how to manage knowledge and information, but how to make it useful, available, and accessible to all. To learn more about our masters programs, sign-up to attend an upcoming information session. Next session is September 10 at 6pm ET. Link to sign-up is available in our bio.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
The scaffolding is finally coming down from Pratt Manhattan Center, just in time for classes to start on August 26!
The scaffolding is finally coming down from Pratt Manhattan Center, just in time for classes to start on August 26!
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
It's the August '24 School of Information newsletter with details on our 5th Annual Ethics & Technology Forum, new faculty publications, student work, and more! Link available in our bio.
It's the August '24 School of Information newsletter with details on our 5th Annual Ethics & Technology Forum, new faculty publications, student work, and more! Link available in our bio.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Playing cards are all the rage these days! In this Pratt News article, find out about some of the ways they are being used, including work from Profs. Shruthi Chivukula, Nancy Smith, and Claudia Berger (MSLIS ’21), as well as recent alums Erica Weidner (MSLIS ’24), Gabriella Evergreen (MSLIS ’24), Meina Naeymirad (MSLIS ’23) and Abby Hurst (MSIXD ‘23). Link available in our bio.
Playing cards are all the rage these days! In this Pratt News article, find out about some of the ways they are being used, including work from Profs. Shruthi Chivukula, Nancy Smith, and Claudia Berger (MSLIS ’21), as well as recent alums Erica Weidner (MSLIS ’24), Gabriella Evergreen (MSLIS ’24), Meina Naeymirad (MSLIS ’23) and Abby Hurst (MSIXD ‘23). Link available in our bio.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Students head to Princeton, faculty start a research group, and more news in the July School of Information newsletter; link available in our bio.
Students head to Princeton, faculty start a research group, and more news in the July School of Information newsletter; link available in our bio.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

From the Catalog