About This Program
Discover the beauty and significance of art with the Art History program. Our Bachelor of Arts in Art History provides a comprehensive education in the history and theory of art, preparing you for a wide range of careers in the arts and humanities. With a curriculum that spans cultures and time periods, opportunities for internships and research and faculty who are experts in their fields, you will develop a deep understanding of the power of art and its impact on society. Read more...
Contact Information
Program Delivery
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
Archivists
- 7.9% faster than the average
- 8,100 number of jobs
- $56,760 potential earnings
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- 5.6% faster than the average
- 116,300 number of jobs
- $69,690 potential earnings
Curators
- 12.6% much faster than the average
- 14,500 number of jobs
- $56,990 potential earnings
Museum technicians and conservators
- 11.6% much faster than the average
- 14,800 number of jobs
- $45,710 potential earnings
Property appraisers and assessors
- 2.9% slower than the average
- 75,100 number of jobs
- $58,650 potential earnings
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.
Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.
Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.
Transfer students with more than two studio courses should submit a portfolio of work for proper placement. The director of the School of Art may impose additional requirements considered reasonable and necessary. Transfer credits are evaluated consistent with the state Transfer Articulation Guidelines (TAG), although each student will be evaluated individually in terms of their ability to perform within the program. Transfer students should make every effort to complete admission requirements before the deadlines and to see an advisor in the School of Art for an evaluation of the portfolio and for schedule planning before registration.
Roadmap
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One |
ARTH 22006 | ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) | 3 |
UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 |
Language Elective | 4 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 |
Semester Two |
ARTH 22007 | ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) | 3 |
Art (ART) or Studio Art (ARTS) Elective | 3 |
Language Elective | 4 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 |
Semester Three |
ARTH 22021 | ART HISTORY: AFRICAN ART (DIVG) (KFA) | 3 |
Art (ART) or Studio Art (ARTS) Elective | 3 |
Language Elective | 3 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
Semester Four |
ARTH 22010 | INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN ART (DIVG) | 3 |
ARTH 32000 | RESEARCH AND WRITING IN ART HISTORY (WIC) | 3 |
Language Elective | 3 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
Semester Five |
Art History (ARTH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) | 6 |
Minor Requirements and General Electives | 6 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
Semester Six |
Art History (ARTH) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3 |
Minor Requirements and General Electives | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
Semester Seven |
ARTH 42001 | ART HISTORY METHODOLOGIES | 3 |
Art History (ARTH) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3 |
Minor Requirements and General Electives | 9 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
Semester Eight |
Art History (ARTH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) | 6 |
Minor Requirements and General Electives | 9 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
University Requirements
All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of art from a range of historic and cultural traditions.
- Observe, describe and interpret art objects, events and concepts within their cultural context.
- Engage with a variety of methodologies and theories relevant to different fields of art history.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of written and/or oral analysis.
- Become engaged citizens of a global community and recognize the role of art and cultural production as they foster communities, reflect identities and understand social systems.
Full Description
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History provides students with an understanding of major art and cultural achievements across historical periods, geographic regions and significant movements. The program fosters visual literacy, critical thinking, creative problem-solving and research development and writing competencies. Students are prepared for careers in non-profit and art organizations, graduate study in art history or museum studies and lifelong advocacy for the arts.
Study Abroad/Study Away Opportunities:
- Travel to New York and Paris
- Study Abroad in Florence, Italy, either for a full semester or a summer