Art History

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2026-2027

School of the Arts

Program description

Art History is a liberal arts program composed of an academic course of study exposing students to the scholarship, theoretical perspectives, and research methods of not only the history of art, but related disciplines in the humanities. Courses focus on cultures, historical periods, and regions. The program also includes possibilities for directed research projects as well as museum internships. While providing students with the opportunity for a broad education on the liberal arts and humanities, the department also emphasizes a close bond with the studio and performing arts and enjoys a close relationship with the other departments in the School of the Arts. Art history students complete a Level 4 REAL experience as a part of the major capstone course. Overseas studies are available through university-sponsored programs abroad in Europe and Asia.

Career opportunities

This curriculum provides students the best possible background for future graduate work in art history. Additionally, the study of art history prepares students with highly sought after skills in writing and communication, problem solving, critical thinking, creative expression, cultural awareness, independent thought, organization and research, and advocacy. Current students take advantage of multiple internship opportunities in Richmond’s vibrant art community to gain practical experience, and alumni of the program may hold positions in the public and private art worlds, government, nonprofits, and businesses, depending upon their interests and expertise.

Change of major requirements

Continuing VCU students considering a change of major to art history must have have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA and submit a short research writing sample of 600 words with their change of major application.

Bachelor-level job titles

Administrative Coordinator
Conservation Technician
Content Strategist
Donor Services Coordinator
Preservation Librarian
Program Coordinator
Project Manager
Gallery Host

Graduate and professional level job titles

Art Conservator
Curator
Librarian and Archives Manager
Museum Educator

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Art History, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Art History, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Plan of study in Bulletin

Art History, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Art History, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Requirements

Highest level of math required

Quantitative Foundations requirement only

Science required

Natural Sciences requirement only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

3.0+ cumulative GPA

Transfer Maps

View Transfer Maps for this major

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Art History

Building/room location:

922 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284

Phone:

(804) 828-2784

Email:

arthistory@vcu.edu

https://arts.vcu.edu/academics/departments/art-history/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives.
Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center.
Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
Complete ARTH 103 and ARTH 104.
Take the foreign language placement test to find out which level to register for.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community.
Connect with Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets, study abroad fairs or complete Rams Abroad 101. to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
Consider applying to the Honors College.
Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests.
Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.)
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
Join the VCU Art History Club.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
Engage your creativity, risk taking, and scholarly investigation and apply for a VCUarts Grants and Student Research Programs at VCU.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
Take ARTH 292 Writing for Art History and ARTH 293 Professional Practices for Art History.
Complete the general education courses by the end of your sophomore year.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
Visit an area art gallery, museum, historic house, or other art/object collecting institution.
Attend VCUarts public lectures, exhibition openings, or film screenings.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
Apply for a VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant to fund your creative exploration.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Identify scholars in your field; learn from their articles and career path.
Talk with your advisor about applying to the accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program in Art History.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
Take ARTH 390 Art Historical Methods.
Complete your foreign language requirement through the 202-level.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
Design a community-engaged research project.
Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
Make an appointment with your education abroad advisor on Navigate: junior year is the best time to study abroad while completing fine arts studio or major requirements in locations like Florence, Lima, and London.
Consider joining professional associations, like the College Art Association (CAA) or Virginia Association of Museums, and attending industry conferences.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
Update your ePortfolio.
Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Apply for a VCUarts Internship Support Grant.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
If applying to graduate school, take additional language classes and begin studying for the GRE.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
Complete your senior capstone by enrolling in ARTH 490.
Enroll in additional language courses to prepare for graduate school.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
Seek out opportunities to work collaboratively with students from other majors.
Connect with the College Art Association (CAA), Virginia Association of Museums, or American Alliance of Museums.
Attend or present your research at the Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC) or the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).
Take a leadership role in the Art History Club.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
Consider participating in professional networking through relevant organizations like the College Art Association (CAA) or the American Alliance of Museums.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2026-2027

Art History

School of the Arts

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals. Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner. Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives. Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center. Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help. Complete ARTH 103 and ARTH 104. Take the foreign language placement test to find out which level to register for.	Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community. Connect with Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets, study abroad fairs or complete Rams Abroad 101. to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities. Consider applying to the Honors College. Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests. Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.) Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. Join the VCU Art History Club.	Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader. Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services. Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake. Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app. Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones. Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage. Engage your creativity, risk taking, and scholarly investigation and apply for a VCUarts Grants and Student Research Programs at VCU.	Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page. Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni. Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
Experience	Year 2	Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience. Take ARTH 292 Writing for Art History and ARTH 293 Professional Practices for Art History. Complete the general education courses by the end of your sophomore year.	Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty. Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit. Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities. Visit an area art gallery, museum, historic house, or other art/object collecting institution. Attend VCUarts public lectures, exhibition openings, or film screenings.	Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events. Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake. Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field. Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value. Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work. Apply for a VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant to fund your creative exploration.	Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest. Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships. Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans. Identify scholars in your field; learn from their articles and career path. Talk with your advisor about applying to the accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program in Art History.
Experience	Year 3	Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning. Take ARTH 390 Art Historical Methods. Complete your foreign language requirement through the 202-level.	Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions. Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning. Design a community-engaged research project. Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU. Make an appointment with your education abroad advisor on Navigate: junior year is the best time to study abroad while completing fine arts studio or major requirements in locations like Florence, Lima, and London. Consider joining professional associations, like the College Art Association (CAA) or Virginia Association of Museums, and attending industry conferences.	Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor. Update your ePortfolio. Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Apply for a VCUarts Internship Support Grant.	Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center. Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job. If applying to graduate school, take additional language classes and begin studying for the GRE.
Excel	Year 4	Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree. Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met. Complete your senior capstone by enrolling in ARTH 490. Enroll in additional language courses to prepare for graduate school.	Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field. Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization. Seek out opportunities to work collaboratively with students from other majors. Connect with the College Art Association (CAA), Virginia Association of Museums, or American Alliance of Museums. Attend or present your research at the Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC) or the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Take a leadership role in the Art History Club.	Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps. Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers. Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Consider participating in professional networking through relevant organizations like the College Art Association (CAA) or the American Alliance of Museums.	Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter. Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey. Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities. Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.