BA in Art History
A major in art history can be solid preparation for graduate work in this field or related disciplines, but it can also serve as excellent training in close observation, interpretation of visual materials, rich appreciation of artistry from diverse cultures and eras, construction of sound arguments based on solid evidence, and clear communication, all of which are skills that can be useful in a wide range of career paths.
Some of our majors have continued their educations in art history graduate programs. Others have found work in museums, galleries, auction houses, and other areas of the art world. Our majors have been accepted into law, medical, and business school and have found that their training in art history offers valuable and sometimes unexpected perspectives that their fellow students often lack.
Our department provides undergraduates with exceptional teaching by award-winning faculty in small classes and lots of one-on-one attention. We have an active undergraduate organization, Art History Club, which sponsors events, study groups, and workshops throughout the academic year. We offer undergraduate scholarships for study abroad and internship support at local museums. Because we are located in the heart of a large urban area with an amazingly vital arts scene, we are able to develop and maintain connections with a large number of local institutions and businesses that offer internships related to the discipline.
Art history majors who are pursuing honors are encouraged to consider study abroad and student/faculty honors contracts as ways to integrate honors experiences more deeply into their major programs. The department especially emphasizes independent and mentored research opportunities, made possible through arrangements such as UROP, RAships, directed studies/directed research credits (ARTH 3993, ARTH 5993, ARTH 5994), and directed professional experience credits (ARTH 3896).
If you are considering graduate study in art history or related fields, you are encouraged to meet with the director of undergraduate studies for advice in curricular planning, graduate program selection, and application guidance.
Transfer Guide
The Art History major requires completion of one of the following Art History Foundation courses:
- ARTH 1001 - Introduction to Art History: Prehistoric to Contemporary
- ARTH 1002W - Why Art Matters
- ARTH 1004W - Introduction to Asian Art
Art Practice – The Art History major requires one Art Practice course (3-4 credits). The course must be hands-on and focused on the practice, rather than the history of art. The following UMTC courses have been approved to satisfy this requirement:
- ARTS 1101 - Introduction to Drawing
- ARTS 1102 - Introduction to Painting
- ARTS 1103 - Introduction to Printmaking: Relief, Screen and Digital Processes
- ARTS 1701 - Introduction to Photography
- ARTS 1704 - Introduction to Moving Images
- ARTS 1801 - Introduction to Ceramics
- ARTS 1802 - Introduction to Sculpture
Other hands-on art courses may satisfy this requirement. Contact the Art History deparmental advisor for more information.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
See the catalog for all courses in the major.
Remember, when using Transferology to plan courses for the major, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
In CLA, each department has a process to declare the major. This is a necessary step for the major to be added to the student record. New transfer students do not declare their majors until after they attend orientation.
To declare a major in Art History, students must meet with the Art History departmental advisor in a scheduled declaration appointment.
While there is no specific course that must be completed in order to declare the Art History major, it is recommended that students take an Art History course prior to declaring as a way to explore their interests.
We recommend that you meet with the Art History departmental advisor during your first semester in CLA to discuss your interest and the declaration process. This meeting allows the departmental advisor to tell you about opportunities within the major and department, as well as help you plan your Art History coursework effectively and efficiently.
Lower division coursework – The Art History major requires two 1xxx-level courses: the Art History Foundations course and the Art Practice course. The rest of the major requirements are satisfied by upper division courses (3xxx-5xxx).
Major residency requirement – Art History requires at least 13 credits of upper division ARTH courses be completed at UMTC.
If a 1xxx- or 2xxx-level transfer course is evaluated as equivalent to a 3xxx-level UMTC ARTH course, the course may be counted towards the Art History major requirements.
It is unusual for courses listed as "Art Appreciation" to be approved for the major. Courses in which art history plays a relatively minor role (such as "Politics, Art, Economics, and Family Life in Eastern Europe") are also less likely to be approved for use towards the major.
Transfer courses are evaluated by the department for use towards the major. Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for the courses you would like to use toward the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated you can submit the course for review. A copy of the course syllabus is required.
If you are planning to transfer to CLA for Art History and you are attending a community college or other two-year institution, keep in mind the limit on 1xxx-level courses in the major. The department recommends that you limit the number of 1xxx-level Art History courses that you take prior to transferring, and use your time at the community college to work on your second language coursework and other degree requirements. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor about any questions you have about completing the CLA Second Language requirement.
Depending on your interests, you will want to plan to take courses that complement and support your interest and future career:
- If you are interested in arts administration or similar career tracks, we recommend that you consider taking courses in management or business administration as you complete your undergraduate degree.
- If you are interested in art conservation/restoration, you should take courses in chemistry and materials science. Research graduate programs to find out the specific chemistry or other courses that they require so you can plan to take the right level and sequences.
Students interested in museum or archival work should consider the Museum and Curatorial Studies minor. Among its requirements, this minor includes at least two Art History courses and a professional experience course, all of which may also be applied to the Art History major, making this a particularly useful major/minor combination. For more information about the Museum and Curatorial Studies minor, contact the Art History department.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Art History departmental advisor with any questions.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and art history majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include the ability to interpret and assess art objects, as well as everyday images, objects, and the built environment, a broad range of historical knowledge, and research skills.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "AES" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
- Minnesota Association of Museums
- National Emerging Museum Professionals Network
- Museum Employment Resource Center (MERC)
- Museum Jobs Online (includes internships)
- Minnesota Art Museums, Non-Profit Art Organizations & Art Centers
- Art Jobs
- Art History Jobs
- The Mother of Art History Links
- Career Alternatives for Art Historians
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Springboard for the Arts
Student Groups
Professional Organizations
- American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
- Association of Midwest Museums
- National Association of Independent Artists
- Arts Educators of Minnesota
- Minnesota Association of Museums
- American Alliance of Museums
- Society of American Archivists
- Association of Art Museum Curators
- College Art Association
- Art Libraries Society of North America
- American Historical Association
- National Art Educator Association
- America for the Arts
- The National Antique & Art Dealers Association of America
- Appraiser Association
- American Association of Museums
- National Emerging Museum Professionals Network
- Museum Association
Graduate Programs in Art History
This is a small sample of programs alumni have gone onto, to find graduate programs in this field, search the Grad School Directory or Peterson's Guide.
- Master of Arts, Art History, Case Western Reserve University
- Master of Arts, History of Art, Boston University. Postgrad job: Assistant Curator of Interpretation, George Eastman House
- Master of Arts, Art History, University of Toronto. Postgrad job: Education and Exhibits Director, Altered Esthetic
- PhD, Art History, University of Pittsburgh
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Internships
- Education Department Intern, Weisman Art Museum
- Development/Membership Intern, Walker Art Center
- Curatorial Intern, Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Docent, Minnesota Museum of American Art
- Museum Studies Intern, Exhibits Development Group
- History Day Mentor, Minnesota Historical Society
- Research Intern, Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Audience Engagement Intern, Weisman Art Museum
- History Museum Fellow, Minnesota Historical Society
- Development Intern, The Soap Factory
- Museum Education and Curatorial Internship, Weisman Art Museum
- Research Assistant, Minnesota Historical Society
- Traveling Exhibits Network Board Secretary, American Alliance of Museums
- Mobile Learning Research Intern, Minnesota Historical Society
- Windgate Museum Internship, American Craft Council
- Contemporary Art Intern, Minneapolis Institute of Art
Entry-Level
- Warshawsky Fellow in Art Interpretation, Cleveland Museum of Art
- Exhibition Development & Sales Coordinator, Exhibits Development Group
- Curatorial Assistant, Basilica of Saint Mary
- Mobile Learning Program Assistant, Minnesota Historical Society
- Assistant to the Registrar, Weisman Art Museum
- Japanese Print Archivist, Minneapolis Institute of Arts
- Traveling Exhibits Manager, Science Museum of Minnesota
- Art in Park Instructor, Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Prints and Drawings Assistant, Minneapolis Institute of Art
Experienced
- Curatorial Fellow, Weisman Art Museum
- Gallery Curator, University of Minnesota Urban Research & Outreach Center
- Digital Imaging Technician, Minneapolis Institute of Arts
- Historical Interpreter II, Minnesota Historical Society
- Development Assistant, Guthrie Theater
- Content Development-Expansion Strategist, Geoffrey M. Curley & Associates
- Development Coordinator, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
Graduate Programs
- Master of Arts, Museum Studies, Johns Hopkins University
Internships
- Sales and Development Intern, Exhibits Development Group
Entry-Level
- Exhibition Consultant, Geoffrey M. Curley & Associates
- Project Coordinator, Randstad Staffing
- Marketing Assistant, The Bookmen Inc
- Leadership Consultant, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
- Sales Associate, Craftsy
Experienced
- Exhibition Development & Sales Coordinator, Exhibits Development Group
- Development & Marketing Coordinator, Senior Resources Inc.
- Office Manager, Briol & Associates PLLC
- Founder & Owner, My Chic Nest
- Recruitment Coordinator, Hyrian
- Senior Art Director, Target
- Account Executive, Global Experience Specialists
- Vice President, Exhibitions International, LLC
- Marketing Specialist, JE Dunn Construction
- Sales Manager, Hubbard Broadcasting
- Senior Manager-Events Marketing, Target Center
Graduate Programs
- Mini-MBA, Non-Profit Management, St. Thomas Opus College of Business. Postgrad job: Regional Director, APA (American Photographic Artists) New York
- BFA, Advertising & Graphic Design, Minneapolis College of Art and Design