Edited By Charlotte Sears
Review & Contribution By Dr. William Harris
Uncover the rich tapestry of art’s past and present with an Online Art History degree, cultivating critical analysis and cultural understanding.
The field of art history helps students develop creative thinking, writing, and research skills, examine cultural expressions, and strengthen their capacity to communicate and conduct analysis efficiently. With an online art history degree, individuals learn about the social, political, and economic contexts necessary to understand artistic trends. A bachelor’s in art history degree online helps students develop an awareness of cultural customs and traditions in the visual arts globally, teaches skills in visual analysis and critical thinking, fosters an understanding of organizations displaying and conserving art collections, etc.
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Featured Online Degree in History Programs
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Southern New Hampshire University
PROGRAM: Online Degree in History (BA)
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on campus students, over 170,000 online students, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.
We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, or via our innovative online platform.
SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.
Find the Best Online Art History Degree Programs
When seeking the best online art history programs, students must assess faculty expertise, program specificity, and institutional reputation. Evaluating faculty credentials, curriculum relevance, and support services is essential. Further key considerations to ponder include expenses, job placement opportunities, salary offers, employment statistics, acceptance rates, etc. Based on several critical components and our proprietary methodology, here is the list of the best online art history programs:
| Univ | Address | Tuition | Grad Rate |
| Arizona State University | 1365 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257 | $10,170 | NA |
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
What to Expect from an OnlineArt History Degree
An art history online degree enables individuals to explore critical periods in art history, visual and creative communication methods, seminal works of art, and perspectives in art theory and criticism. The program typically comprises 120 credit hours and offers online, offline, and hybrid learning modes. It equips students to analyze art through art theory, addressing current challenges, philosophical questions, and more. Upon graduation, students will possess a deeper appreciation for art and advanced artistic skills. They will explore topics related to specific art forms, such as photography. Most programs incorporate a capstone project in the final year, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the field and refined presentation, persuasion, and communication skills. Graduates can pursue diverse career paths, including roles as curators, museum directors, archivists, web designers, photographers, and more.
Curriculum and Coursework
The coursework of an online degree in art history enables students to examine prehistorical eras, modern-day works, and various mediums. They analyze diverse works of art, exploring humanities and arts courses to understand the environmental, religious, cultural, historical, and social contexts of human experiences. The program also encourages undergraduates to create original pieces of literature or art.
This program offers a high-quality curriculum that prepares individuals for lifelong careers in art history. While different institutions offer different courses, students can expect to encounter some standard procedures across the coursework, including:
Art from Prehistory through the Middle Ages
This course explores prehistoric art, including artifacts made before the written records, and surveys art produced in the Ancient Near East, Europe, Africa, and more. Some other eras studied will include the Paleolithic, or the Old Stone Age; the Middle Stone Age, Mesolithic; and the New Stone Age, or Neolithic. Students explore arts like miniature sculptures and large paintings engraved on the cave walls.
Introduction to Art
The Introduction to Art course provides a foundation of visual arts skills, knowledge, and connections to other art-related subjects. Students explore major and minor fine arts like sculpture, architecture, painting, etc. This course teaches students to appreciate art and introduces cultural influences.
Visual Studies in Aesthetic Experiences
This course helps students study artificial beauty and interpret art from their features. They examine purposefully created objects and different artistic creations humans make for others to enjoy visually, experience, and admire. Students explore other crucial characteristics of aesthetic experiences, like an appraisal of the symbolic reality of an object, fascination with aesthetic things, the feeling of unity with the object of aesthetic assessment, and aesthetic fascination.
Comparative Arts
This course helps students explore the relationship between literature and other modes of artistic expression like painting, film, theatre, photography, and music. They also explore themes, literary types, intercultural relations, texts, and methods and theories of comparative literature. This course is essential for students to learn about critically examining concepts of arts, music, drama, and more across cultural, linguistic, and national borders.
Studies in World Art
In World Art, students study the discipline of art history, focusing on the history of visual arts globally, its concepts, approach, and methodology. Students examine the art phenomenon through a broader global, temporal, and cultural perspective. This course helps students gain insight into the history of architecture and art worldwide and acquire tools for interpreting, approaching, and appreciating the art of various places, cultures, and times.
Learning Outcomes and Skills Gained
Earning an art history degree gives students essential insights into today’s social, political, and economic contexts. Students gain a broad overview of various subjects, including history, literature, anthropology, media and performance studies, and science. It prepares graduates to pursue careers in galleries, historical and preservation societies, art agencies, and other diverse settings.
Graduates of an online art history degree will develop research and writing skills, creative thinking, and the ability to analyze cultural expressions. Some other skills students develop by the end of the program include:
- demonstrate awareness of cultural traditions globally and conserve art collections;
- demonstrate teaching skills in critical thinking, visual analysis, and interpretation of artwork;
- demonstrate in-depth knowledge of visual literacy, and create comprehensive and vibrant visual arts to create a positive impact;
- demonstrate a deep understanding of artistic expression and production from a historical point of view and formulate new ideas about visual culture throughout the ages;
- demonstrate knowledge of historical progression and narrative of art using topics within artistic production like color and design theory;
- demonstrate specialized learning in areas of Renaissance art, medieval art, art theory and criticism, and more, and help individuals from non-arts backgrounds to understand these concepts;
- demonstrate a curriculum developed to teach students about intriguing topics like art and religion, art and politics, industrial art, visual communication theory, and more.
Types of Degrees Art History Students Can Obtain
Many quality online art history online degrees are throughout the United States, offered by accredited universities. The program choice may vary depending on the individual’s career aspirations in the art field. Among the most sought-after programs nationwide are the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Art History.
Bachelors of Arts in Art History
This program aims to integrate disparate views on literature and art worldwide. It introduces students to core components of art history, like theoretical and historiographical issues, methodological approaches, and concepts. Students gain insight into the global history of art, literature, and architecture. Undergraduates will also acquire tools to interpret, appreciate, and approach the art of different places, times, and cultures.
Bachelors of Liberal Studies in Art History
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies or BLS in Art History is generally designed for domestic transfer students with at least six or more courses at national or regionally accredited universities. This program combines topics from humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It prepares students for career opportunities supporting arts and culture at galleries, museums, architectural and planning firms, and educational institutions.
Areas of Specialization for Art History Students
Specializations allow students to tailor their education to specific interests and career goals. Students gain in-depth knowledge and expertise by focusing on a particular area of their field of study, enhancing their qualifications and marketability. Specializations provide a pathway for personal and professional growth, helping students to excel in their chosen fields and make meaningful contributions to society. Some specializations a student of an art history online degree can pursue include:
| Area of Specialization | Description | Career Options |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | The photo concentration emphasizes a vast domain of technical and conceptual practices in contemporary art, highlighting video, photography, etc. Students also learn about black and white darkroom, non-silver processes, medium formats, digitals, etc. | Photographer Photo retoucher Photojournalist Studio photographer |
| Studio Art | Studio Art specialization helps students learn elements of painting, sculpture, computer art and design, ceramics, video, installation, metalsmithing, etc. It also allows them to emphasize creative expression through visual arts. | Studio artist Gallery curator Art Instructor Art therapist |
| Painting | The specialization of painting helps students develop and explore a personal understanding of the technical aspects and visual language of painting. Students learn intermediate digital photography, photo processes, digital imaging, etc. | Gallery curator Art teacher Mural artist Portrait painter |
| Art History | As an art history specialization, students learn about fundamental aspects of human culture. Students can understand visual properties systematically, like format, composition, viewpoint, scale, treatment of human space figure treatment of line and form, and more. | Archivist Museum educator Art historian Gallery manager |
| Design | This specialization gives students in-depth experience in design, emphasizing portfolio development and studio production. Students develop creativity and critical and observational skills that can be used throughout the degree. | Industrial designer Graphic designer Interior designer UI/UX designer |
| Fine Arts | Through this concentration, students develop an understanding of creating images, objects, and spatial and time-based experiences. Individuals also learn to portray their ideas through their work. | Museum educator Art teacher Freelance artist Art conservator |
Full-Time and Part-Time Programs
A bachelor’s in art history online can typically be completed in an average of four years when taken full-time. Those pursuing this program part-time will take longer than four years to finish the curriculum. Most colleges offer the degree on campus, online, and in hybrid learning modes. Therefore, students completing the curriculum requirements online can take more courses according to their schedule and finish the degree in a shorter period. Some universities also offer the option of accelerating the coursework, allowing the program to be completed within two to three years. Here is a summary of the timeline to finish a bachelor’s in art history degree:
- Full-Time: Students can finish the curriculum within four years as full-timers
- Part-Time: Undergraduates can complete the coursework within four to six years as part-timers
Accelerated Art History Programs
An accelerated degree is an excellent way to finish a degree fast, in a shorter timeline than a regular program. Students should expect the same amount of coursework as a regular program. However, they need more focus and effort, as they are expected to complete more courses in less time. Such a program consists of a highly concentrated but short span of courses that can last between one to two months, culminating in a similar amount of credit hours as a traditional four-year college. Here are a few examples of universities that offer an accelerated online art history degree:
Requirements for Getting into an Online Art History Degree Program
There are many different requirements for an online art history degree program that students need to meet, like an accredited undergraduate program, preferably in art or a related domain, a minimum GPA of 2.5 or more, a letter of intent, personal recommendations, and so on. Some institutions require applicants to have prerequisite subjects like English, math, science, and more. By being aware of admission criteria, applicants can be ready with all the necessary documents.
Admission requirements can vary depending on the colleges individuals choose for their education; however, some standard online art history degree admission requirements can commonly be found across coursework, including:
- Application fee and form
- Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended
- High school Diploma or equivalent GED score
- A minimum GPA of 3.00 is generally required
- Personal statement
- Two to three letters of recommendation
- Some schools may require an ACT and SAT score
- Some institutions need PSAT scores
How to Ensure an Online Art History Degree Is Accredited
Accreditation ensures educational quality and standards by evaluating institutions and programs. It verifies that schools meet rigorous criteria, nurturing trust and confidence among students, employers, and stakeholders. Accredited degrees enhance credibility, transferability of credits, and eligibility for financial aid, ultimately safeguarding the value of education and promoting student success.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design3 provides programmatic accreditation for institutions offering art and design degrees. When selecting a college, students should opt for an accredited online art history degree program, as these institutions offer the most optimal learning conditions for art and design students.
Universities can also be accredited nationally or by one of six regional accrediting agencies:
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Where to Find Free Online Courses for Art History Bachelor’s Students
Free online courses offer accessible learning opportunities, covering diverse subjects from top institutions worldwide. While not accredited, they provide valuable knowledge, skill enhancement, and personal growth. They enable self-paced learning, flexibility, and exploration of new interests, empowering students to expand their horizons and pursue lifelong learning journeys. Here are a few free art history courses bachelor’s students can explore:
| Course | Description | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Art History Renaissance to 20th Century4 | This course covers art history from the European Renaissance, which began in 1300 AD, to the mid-20th century. It discusses physical or formal properties, such as the technology needed to create color, medium, materials, composition, shading, and more. | Udemy |
| Modern and Contemporary Art and Design5 | This course helps students develop looking and critical thinking skills to understand how designers and artists respond to their time’s cultural and social challenges. They can also comprehend contemporary art and designs and develop skills to discuss these aspects. | Coursera |
| The Architectural Imagination6 | This free course explores the social and historical contexts behind major works of historical architecture. It teaches students to understand art as both technical achievement and cultural expression. Architectural typology and perspective drawings are also explored. | Harvard University |
Note: Some courses mentioned on these sites may be free, while others may demand a small fee. As policies and offers keep changing periodically, students are advised to check for the latest ones that suit their needs.
Ways to Pay for an Online Art History Degree
With tuition fees constantly rising, the financial burden on students pursuing online Art History degrees continues to escalate. As debts accumulate, students seek various avenues to fund their programs, ensuring they can pursue their academic aspirations without compromising their financial stability. Here are a few ways students can fund their bachelor’s in art history programs:
Scholarships support students, easing financial burdens and fostering academic pursuits. They recognize merit, talent, and dedication, opening doors to education for deserving individuals. Scholarships vary, catering to diverse fields and demographics, enabling access to opportunities that shape futures. They epitomize investment in knowledge, enriching lives and society at large.
Grants provide vital financial aid to students, alleviating economic constraints and facilitating educational endeavors. They are awarded based on need, merit, or specific criteria, offering opportunities for individuals to pursue their academic ambitions and achieve their goals.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships offer students opportunities to gain valuable experience while pursuing advanced degrees. These positions typically involve teaching, research, or administrative duties, providing financial support, mentorship, and professional development crucial for academic and career advancement.
Student Loans
Student loans are financial tools that enable individuals to fund their education, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses. While they provide immediate access to education, they require repayment with interest, impacting borrowers’ financial futures. Proper planning and understanding of terms are essential to managing debt responsibly.
FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a crucial form for accessing financial aid for higher education. It determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs based on financial need.
Scholarships for Online Art History Degree Students
Scholarships offer crucial financial aid for students, alleviating the burden of tuition fees, textbooks, and living expenses. These awards foster academic excellence by enabling students to focus on their studies without financial strain. Additionally, scholarships often provide opportunities for professional development, networking, and recognition, empowering students to pursue their passion for art history with dedication and enthusiasm. Here are a few examples of online art history degree scholarships students can apply for:
| Scholarship | Description | Award/Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitaker Art Foundation Scholarship7 | The Frederic Whitaker and Eileen Monaghan Whitaker Foundation accepts applications for scholarships from March 1 through 15, 2023. This foundation intends to support those with a particular emphasis on museum studies and watercolor and helps them meet the diverse needs of the current professional museum and art world. | $2,000 | May annually |
| Nitro College Scholarship8 | The Nitro Pay for College No-Essay Scholarship offers a unique monthly opportunity for graduates, students, and parents of prospective graduate students to receive financial assistance for education expenses. Applicants must register for Nitro, a financial assistance and loan resources platform, to apply for this funding without submitting an essay. | $2,000 | December 31 |
Career Opportunities and Salaries After Graduating With an Online Art History Degree
After graduating with a bachelor’s in art history, students can explore diverse career paths across various sectors. Salaries vary depending on the specific role, industry, and geographical location. Factors like experience level, additional skills, and the capacity for role adaptation significantly influence earnings potential. Graduates can enhance their prospects by engaging in internships and continuous professional development. Graduates with an online art history degree can pursue roles including:
- Visual Artists
- Professors
- Photographer
- Photo Editor
- Painter
- Museum Guide
- Illustrator
- Graphic Designer
- Gallery Host
- Gallery Assistant
- Curators
- Artwork Manager
- Art Teacher
- Art Librarian
- Art Director
- Art Associate
- Archivists
Some of these professions have been elaborated below:
| Occupation | Job Description | Skills Required | Job Growth (up to 2031) | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Directors9 | Art directors determine how best to represent a visual concept and analyze photographs, art, or other elements of designs to be used. They develop the overall style and look of a publication, theater, television, film set, or advertising campaign. | Communication, creativity, leadership, resourcefulness, and time-management skills. | 6% (faster than average) | $106,500 |
| Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers10 | These professionals appraise and authenticate historical documents and other required archival materials. They must also maintain and preserve objects and documents, create and manage systems to protect and maintain electronic records, and organize or classify archival documents. | Analytical, customer-service, detail-oriented, and organizational skills. | 10% ( much faster than average ) | $57,120 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists11 | These professionals prepare reports, present research findings, and advise organizations on the cultural impact of programs, policies, and products. They analyze laboratory samples, data, and other data sources to check for patterns about human origins, culture, and life, along with excavating artifacts. | Analytical, critical thinking, communication skills, and physical stamina. | 4% job (as fast as average) | $63,800 |
| Historians12 | Historians engage with the public through educational presentations and programs. They preserve or archive materials and artifacts in visitor centers, historical sites, and museums. These professionals provide guidance or advice on preservation challenges and historical topics. | Analytical, communication, foreign language, problem-solving, and research skills | 3% (as fast as average) | $72,890 |
| Art History Writers and Authors13 | Writers and authors conduct research to get factual data and authentic detail, present drafts to their clients and editors for feedback, and work with clients to shape publishing materials. These professionals establish their credibility by providing readers with solid research, the use of sources, and citations. | Adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, determination, persuasion, social perceptiveness, and writing skills. | 4% (as fast as average) | $73,690 |
Certifications and Licensing for Online Art History Degree Graduates
Certifications are powerful tools for showing an individual’s employer that they have sufficient knowledge in their field. Professional certifications are designed for industry leaders and top institutions to enhance and build critical professional skills to meet specific needs. However, those pursuing an online degree in art history do not need to take up licensure certifications to practice as art history professionals.
Additional Resources for Online Art History Degree Graduates
Graduates can significantly benefit from additional resources such as memberships in professional associations. These memberships provide networking opportunities, access to exclusive research and databases, and potential internships and jobs. Engaging with these resources helps students deepen their understanding, stay updated on industry trends, and enhance their professional prospects in the art world. Here are a few examples of additional resources that those pursuing a bachelor’s degree in art history online can explore:
| Title/Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| College Art Association of America | College Art Association, or CAA, provides many lucrative opportunities for professional development, including an online career center, mentoring events, grants and fellowships, and more. Members of this organization can access annual conferences, publications, year-round programs and events, podcasts, etc. |
| Art Libraries Society of North America Home | The Art Libraries Society of North America provides informal and official collaborative relationships with other arts and humanities organizations to further professionals’ goals. Its electronic forum includes information dissemination and discussion of challenges. |
| American Council of Learned Societies | The American Council of Learned Societies aims to advance public understanding of the significance of humanistic knowledge in enriching individuals’ lives and the robust resilience of democratic organizations. It collaborates with member societies, scholars, students, foundations, the public, higher education, etc. |
| Association of Historians of American Art | AHAA aims to promote scholarship in art and related fields in the United States. It provides forums for advancing and presenting new approaches to art and examining problems. AHAA fulfills these goals through periodic symposia, annual meetings, online journals, websites, and newsletters. |
| International Center of Medieval Art | The International Center of Medieval Art, or ICMA, publishes scholarly journals for the history of medieval art, two issues annually, both online and in print. These journals provide updated information concerning ICMA’s activities and inform members about current events and challenges in medieval art history. |
FAQs About Online Art History Degree Programs
Can you get an online art history degree?
Yes. An online art history degree is available from various accredited institutions. These programs offer flexibility for students to study the evolution of art, its cultural impacts, and theoretical frameworks from home, making it convenient for those balancing work or personal commitments.
How long is an online bachelor’s program in art history?
What can you do with an online art history degree?
Is an online degree in art history worth it?
Are there high-paying jobs in the field of art and art history?
Is there a demand for jobs with a bachelor’s in art history?
Citations:
University of Colorado Boulder
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Art History Renaissance to 20th Century
Modern and Contemporary Art and Design
Whitaker Art Foundation Scholarship
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Art Directors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Anthropologists and Archeologists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Historians
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Art History Writers and Authors