Program highlights
- Expert faculty. BGSU art history faculty have expertise in the global history of medieval, renaissance, baroque, modern, African and contemporary Art – providing a broad spectrum of perspectives. Small seminars and one-on-one faculty-student mentorships guarantee a personalized experience tailored to your interests.
- A wealth of resources. Learn in an active studio art environment while also accessing comprehensive libraries, archives and digital resources. Art history graduate students each get a shared office within the School of Art.
- Electives in nationally-recognized programs. Graduate students choose electives from the School of Art as well as the College of Arts and Sciences. These include courses in traditional disciplines (history, philosophy, world languages, English, etc.) as well as thematic interdisciplinary courses (ethnic studies, popular culture, American culture studies, Asian studies, performance studies, public history, women’s studies, etc.).
- Close cultural connections. The School of Art offers constant exposure to traditional and experimental artistic processes, as well as chances for professional experience in university galleries, artist studios and applied art-historical research. Off campus, students have liberal access to the art collections at the Toledo Museum of Art and other leading art institutions in northern Ohio and throughout the Midwest.
- Worldwide cultural connections. Art history graduate students can apply for grants and fellowships to sustain independent research and travel for their master’s thesis. Many also seize the chance to study abroad in places like Italy, West Africa, the West Indies, France, England, Japan, Trinidad, Tobago and more. The BGSU School of Art has two partner schools in Florence, Italy:
- International Studies Institute, which has an excellent art history curriculum
- Santa Reparata International School of Art, which features an impressive studio-based curriculum
- Professional development opportunities. Graduate students awarded teaching assistantships work closely with faculty on research and administration projects. It’s a great way to expand your knowledge, skills and resume.
- Industry credibility. BGSU is accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Art & Design.
- A community of artists. Join the student-organized Art History Association for invites to museum and gallery exhibits, regional art events and chances to host docent tours in the BGSU Fine Arts Gallery.
BGSU is the largest state art school in Ohio.
Career opportunities
An M.A. in art with specialization in art history prepares graduates for a wealth of professional possibilities.
Most of our art history graduates either go on to prestigious doctoral programs or dive directly into careers at major art museums, art institutions, galleries and universities in the U.S. and abroad. They primarily work as curators, teachers and researchers.
Many also find opportunities in fields such as art conservation, cultural research management and digital archiving. The analytical and research skills honed during their studies here at BGSU are highly transferable to many fields, opening doors to jobs in publishing, media and even market analysis within the art sector.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in museum, archival and related fields is expected to grow in the coming years, reflecting sustained public interest in cultural and historical preservation.
Career paths
- Art gallery curator
- Museum director
- Exhibition coordinator
- Art museum educator
- College/university professor
- Public art administrator
- Cultural heritage manager
- Art auction specialist
- Art consultant
- Cultural program coordinator
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
The BGSU art history master’s degree curriculum is designed to provide students with a rich foundation in art historical research, critical analysis and professional expertise. Students are trained in contemporary methodologies and theories of the history of art, as well as in-depth examination of the many societal contexts of creative expression, art making and art expression over time.
All art history graduate students must complete 33 hours of coursework, comprised of:
- 3 credit hours of ARTH 6060, Contemporary Art Theory and Criticism
- 3 credit hours of ARTH 5900, Professional Practices in Art History
- 9 credit hours in 5000-level seminar courses
- 6 credit hours in 6000-level seminar courses
- 6 credit hours at either 5000-level or 6000-level
- 3 credit hours of elective coursework
- 3 credit hours of ART 6990, Thesis Research
You will also complete:
- Language proficiency (3 credit coursework of examination)
- Master's Thesis
At least 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher. Students must commit to full-time day classes (particularly if they’re applying for funding), maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete their degree within six years.
The culminating experience involves an art history thesis, an article-length (40-50 pages) research paper. It’s written under the guidance of three art history faculty members, with the primary specializing in a field of study that closely relates to the topic. Some students focus on a single artist or architect, while others include several different artists related through visual or theoretical concerns.
Sample courses
- Professional Practices in Art History
- Contemporary Art Theory and Criticism
- Critical Issues in Ancient Art
- Critical Issues in World Art
- Art History Problems
- Graduate Travel Colloquium
Admissions
Applicants for the M.A. in art with specialization in art history must submit:
- Application
- Transcript(s)
- Professional resume with cover letter
- Statement of purpose
- Three recent letters of recommendation
- Writing sample or research paper from a recent art history course
State-of-the-art facilities
One of the unique features of the BGSU art history program is that it’s housed within the immersive environment of the School of Art. Our state-of-the-art facilities allow for the production of art across a stunning range of media. These include:
- Painting and drawing studios – natural light, large easels, a stage for life painting and a separate room for storage
- Photography studio – two dark rooms, a processing room for color and black-and-white, and a shooting studio with professional lighting
- Printmaking studio – facilities for lithography, woodcutting, linoleum, silkscreen, intaglio and relief, and a darkroom with enlargers
- Ceramics studio – a variety of gas and wood kilns, and space for wheel throwing and hand-building
- Glass studio – equipment for working with hot glass and creating stained glassworks
- Jewelry, metal and object design studio – equipment here for casting, enameling, forging, electroforming and more with various metals, including silver, brass, copper and gold
- Sculpture facility – 12,000-square-foot area with numerous lofts and equipment
- School of Art Integrated Shop – woodworking equipment, a CNC machine, laser cutters, 3D printers and plasma cutters
- Computer labs – three large computer labs with access to high-end Macintosh and PC computers with all the most up-to-date graphic software. The large format digital printing lab has archival inkjet printers (so students can get prints of their art). The Media Cage equipment includes digital, still and video cameras, sewing machines, tripods, TVs, projectors and more available for checkout.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in art with specialization in art history is part of the School of Art in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 03/17/2025 09:48AM