Art (Art History), BA
Explore the critical issues of visual arts and material culture across the globe, from the ancient world to the contemporary. You can investigate the history of art in economic, social and political contexts and its relationship to literature, science, anthropology, media and performance studies.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Any math course that meets the MATH designation.
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Art (Art History) degree description
In the Bachelor of Arts program in art with a concentration in art history, you acquire a foundation in art and material culture that explores art history in aesthetic, economic, social and political contexts. You learn to critically assess and analyze works of art from many periods and geographies. Your research practice draws connections between a variety of fields, including museum studies, archaeology, anthropology, media and performance studies, gender and ethnic studies, history, literature, philosophy and economics. You learn about visual art, architecture, archeology, collecting, world film and the art market.
The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary research and professional mentorship. Distinguished faculty provide expertise across an array of distinct areas within the field of art history, including ancient, African, Asian, Baroque, contemporary, Latin American, medieval, modern, Native American, Indian, Oceanian, pre-Columbian and Renaissance. Capstone courses guide you through the process of developing advanced research skills and methodologies for writing art history.
In addition to classroom learning, the program is enriched by arts organizations and cultural institutions, which provide you with opportunities to build your professional network through fellowships, internships and residencies. The program is further augmented by public events supported by the School of Art galleries, the ASU Art Museum, the Ceramics Research Center and Archive, and Pyracantha Press.
You should visit the art history areas of study page to learn more about the program. To engage the school's creative community, you can subscribe to the School of Art newsletters and follow the school on social media.
Why specialize in art history at ASU?
The concentration in art history is part of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, the most comprehensive design and arts school in the country. You learn from internationally recognized faculty who are active scholars in the field and bring current research into your coursework. Faculty mentor you in close study of artists, objects and technologies while helping you build research rigor, visual literacy and communication skills.
Because the concentration is offered online and on campus, you can pursue the concentration in art history on a schedule that works for you. Study abroad pairs particularly well with this concentration, and you can develop insight into cultures and artists by experiencing the very places that gave rise to landmark works.
Additional details
The Undergraduate Art History Association fosters a community of undergraduate art historians and creates a space where art history majors can find resources and gain experience in the museum field.
You benefit from the local Phoenix metropolitan area, which offers one of the richest concentrations of art museums and cultural institutions in the Southwest.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| ARS 201 Art of Asia |
| ARS 498 Pro-Seminar |
| ARS 101 Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages |
| ARS 102 Art from Renaissance to Modernism |
| ARS 202 Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas |
| ARS 280 Introduction to Research Methods in Art History |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Distinguish significant works of art from different periods and cultures of Western and non-western art history.
- Demonstrate research skills in the field of art history.
- Synthesize art history research into written and oral communication.
Distinguish significant works of art from different periods and cultures of Western and non-western art history.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
Students meeting the university requirements for admission may matriculate in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Separate admission procedures and approvals are required for some programs within the college. Students must contact specific departments or schools for details. First-year students applying to the Herberger Institute School of Art enter ASU as art exploratory majors in the School of Art. There is no portfolio review process for first-year-students at the time of admission to ASU. Typically, students in their second year who are interested in studio art and art education submit a portfolio for review once they have completed their core requirements and are completing the last of the 12 hours of 200-level art requirements; students who are interested in art history or museum studies submit a declaration form in the semester in which they complete 30 hours.
Transfer admission requirements:
Direct transfer of courses from other accredited institutions to the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is subject to the existence of parallel and equal courses in the college's curriculum and to departmental or school evaluation of studio courses with respect to performance standards. Every candidate for the bachelor's degree must earn a minimum of 30 hours in resident credit at ASU. Transfer students enrolled in the college must complete a minimum of 15 hours of resident credit in the major as approved by the faculty.
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Global Education programs provide an opportunity for students to explore their creative side through an intercultural lens, deepen their understanding of the world and gain valuable career-building experiences. Study abroad can be a vital accompaniment to any art concentration, allowing for broad historical and archaeological explorations. Students develop insight into the cultures and minds of some of the world's most notable artists when they experience the places that gave rise to specific artistic styles.
With more than 300 options available, Global Education programs give students a breadth of knowledge in arts and culture distinctly different from their own. Study abroad encourages students to broaden their intercultural sensitivity, communication skills and leadership ability, and develop their personal and professional self-confidence. Students who participate in global education programs learn to adapt and persevere, growing along the way.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archivist | 3.4% | $64,550 | Learn more |
| Art Professor | 2.2% | $78,620 | Learn more |
| Communications Specialist | -0.3% | $76,910 | Learn more |
| High School Teacher | -0.2% | $72,040 | Learn more |
| Historian | 3.0% | $76,750 | Learn more |
| Museum Curator | 4.9% | $63,420 | Learn more |
| Museum Exhibit Designer | 3.6% | $51,440 | Learn more |
| Talent Agent | 9.7% | $82,890 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this art history concentration prepares you for
An arts degree offers students a pathway to creative careers as artists, scholars and educators in the public and private spheres. Artists find employment opportunities as practitioners in the field through commercial galleries, public art commissions, private collectors and cultural institutions. Positions of employment include museum or gallery professional, art dealer, art director, private art instructor, studio artist and community-based artist. Venues might include health care settings, nonprofit agencies, and local and national public arts organizations. Other options for graduates include working at arts agencies and public art programs, gaining admission to prestigious graduate programs, and setting up their own art businesses. The skills acquired to produce art also have a wide variety of non-art applications.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Art
|
ART 102
herbergeradvising@asu.edu
480-965-8521
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
