Why study art history at BGSU in Ohio?
- Learn from the best. The expertise of our art history faculty is global. This allows for a revolving curriculum of advanced courses exploring artistic practices across every continent and historical timeline. We encourage interdisciplinary study – within the School of Art or in other nationally-recognized academic programs – for a well-rounded education and the acquisition of versatile skill sets valued by a wide range of employers.
- Experiential learning. A great art history education is one that brings the lessons to life. Our program emphasizes real-world experience. You will have opportunities to visit, network and intern at top-tier institutions, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Salvador Dali Museum in Florida and the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Global learning opportunities. Experience art and culture coming alive in original contexts by studying abroad in places like Italy, West Africa, Trinidad, France, England and Japan. Financial assistance may be available through the RING Fund, a BGSU School of Art Experiential Learning Fund. The BGSU School of Art has two partner schools in Florence, Italy:
- International Studies Institute, housed in one of the city’s most famous Renaissance palaces and offering excellent art history courses
- Santa Reparata International School of Art, which features a studio-based curriculum in an impressive variety of mediums
- Close cultural connections. Because the art history program is housed in the School of Art, students can experience so many aspects of the art world first-hand – from creation in the BGSU art studios to exhibition in the school's art galleries.
- Wealth of resources. Explore modern facilities, studios, computer labs and galleries, as well as vast literature repositories, including the BGSU Jerome Library, ARTstor and the Popular Culture Library. You will have the tools you need to develop deep, well-rounded expertise.
- Medici Circle sponsorships. Art education expands beyond the classroom with Medici Circle sponsorships. School of Art students receive funding for field trips to exciting art exhibitions in New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago and more. Sponsorships also fund student travel for art presentations, conferences and workshops, and cover student art acquisitions for the BGSU Fine Arts Center Galleries.
- A community of art enthusiasts. The Art History Association (AHA) is a vibrant and active student organization dedicated to professional development in the arts. The AHA helps students connect with peers and build their future in the field. They organize museum trips and lectures, and host the annual Undergraduate Art History Symposium.
The art history program offers a biennial seminar in Florence, Italy.
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Career - what can you do with an art history degree?
With a bachelor’s degree in art history from BGSU, you’ll gain essential skills in visual literacy, critical thinking and communication – all highly sought after in a wide range of industries.
Although careers in art history usually require training beyond a bachelor’s degree, the B.A. in art history prepares you for both graduate work and careers in the arts and humanities.
Graduates with an art history degree may get hired as:
- Museum curators, shaping museum and gallery exhibitions
- Art administrators, managing operations at art galleries, cultural organizations or heritage foundations
- Art consultants, hired by private clients or auction houses to curate private collections or evaluate, appraise and sell artwork
- Archivists, working at libraries or universities to preserve historical collections for education or research
Demand for professional archivists, curators and museum workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade and beyond, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BGSU offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in art history, as well as Ph.D. programs in areas such as anthropology and sociology, communications, education administration, North American Studies and more.
Career paths
- Art dealer
- Art restoration
- Art librarian
- Nonprofit administrator
- Art law
- Community art education
- Art museum – curatorial, library and/or educational roles
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
The BGSU art history bachelor’s degree offers an enriching academic experience for students passionate about exploring art within a broad liberal arts and studio context. It involves exploring how individuals and communities use the visual arts to express their identities, beliefs and creative ideas across time and cultures.
Art history classes draw on a variety of critical theories and methodological approaches to offer students a comprehensive understanding of the contexts of creative expression, art production, art reception, collection, exhibition and publication.
Students start with four core courses, including History of Western Art, World Art and Methods and Theory. They also take an art studio course to gain practical knowledge of terms, media and principles used in artistic production.
At the upper level, students take 10 art history courses offered in the following areas of study: ancient art, early modern art, modern and contemporary art and world art. Students must also declare a minor (typically 21 credit hours) to diversify their educational background. For internships, there are numerous museums and galleries throughout the region.
Graduation requirements include a minimum of 122 credit hours – including 30 hours at the 3000/4000 level and completion of BG Perspective Core (humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and quantitative literature).
Prospective students should ideally take general art classes in high school and have a solid background in history and humanities. As knowledge of languages is often necessary for reading scholarly works about art history, it’s advisable to begin language training in high school.
Sample courses
- Art History Methods and Theory
- Survey of World Art
- Western Art I & II
- Professional Practices in Art History
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The art history program is part of the School of Art in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 03/21/2025 10:24AM