The Art History program features a new concentration in Art Practice designed for artists engaged in advanced research who wish to pursue their work in an environment geared to doctoral study, and to produce studio work alongside a written dissertation. The addition of an Art Practice concentration was a natural outgrowth of the reciprocal relationship between history, theory and practice in the Visual Arts department. Rather than segregating art practice and history, UC San Diego's Visual Arts department brings practitioners, theorists and historians together to encourage innovative work at the boundaries of disciplines, discourses, and methodologies. Art practice students fulfill the same requirements as students working in other Ph.D. concentrations, including language exams, qualifying exams and the submission of a dissertation prospectus. Their dissertations, however, combine a shorter written component with a completed art project (film or video, exhibition, public work, etc.). The program is particularly well-suited for established artists with a research-based practice who are seeking the opportunity to reflect on that practice, and to develop new work in conjunction with a community of ambitious artists, historians and theorists. It is strongly recommended that applicants be at least three years removed from the completion of their masters degree program.