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

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.
Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
Complete ARTH 103 and ARTH 104.
Take the foreign language placement test to find out which level to register for.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

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.)
Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
Consider applying to the Honors College.
Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community.
Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets and Rams Abroad 101 to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
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.
Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
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

Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study.
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.
Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

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

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
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.
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. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

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

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
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

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

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Design a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
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.
Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
Update your ePortfolio.
Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Apply for a VCUarts Internship Support Grant.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

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

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

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

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office.
Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
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

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.
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.

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	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. Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills. Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help. Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner. Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals. Complete ARTH 103 and ARTH 104. Take the foreign language placement test to find out which level to register for.	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.) Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. Consider applying to the Honors College. Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community. Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets and Rams Abroad 101 to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.	Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones. 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. Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services. Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage. Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app. Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader. Engage your creativity, risk taking, and scholarly investigation and apply for a VCUarts Grants and Student Research Programs at VCU.	Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study. 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. Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor. Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
Experience	Year 2	Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience. Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Complete the general education courses by the end of your sophomore year. Take ARTH 292 Writing for Art History and ARTH 293 Professional Practices for Art History.	Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty. 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. 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. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!	Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field. Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work. Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake. Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events. Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value. Apply for a VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant to fund your creative exploration.	Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest. Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation. 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	Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning. Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. Complete your foreign language requirement through the 202-level. Take ARTH 390 Art Historical Methods.	Design a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions. 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. Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning. Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.	Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor. Update your ePortfolio. Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Apply for a VCUarts Internship Support Grant.	Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship. Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center. Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. If applying to graduate school, take additional language classes and begin studying for the GRE. Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met. Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree. Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree. Complete your senior capstone by enrolling in ARTH 490. Enroll in additional language courses to prepare for graduate school.	Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization. Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office. Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.	Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers. Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps. 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.	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. 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.