Undergraduate Degrees in Art History

Discover, Examine, Create: Explore Art History Undergraduate Programs at BSU

Study significant historical works of architecture, sculpture, and pictorial arts and crafts from around the world. Explore the past and present through art and gain new insights. Uncover all of this and more through the Bachelor of Arts in Art History program at Bridgewater State University.

In our nationally accredited Department of Art and Art History, your art history undergraduate program will give you a broad-based education in global art history and Euro-American traditions. You will also make art in studio classes as you work toward your art history degree, giving you an artist’s perspective to your historical art training.

Through your art history undergraduate studies and analysis, you’ll grow the research, communication and critical-thinking skills employers seek.

Art History Degree Program Highlights

students making prints on large tables with screens attached to them

Create art in top-notch studio spaces

As an art history undergraduate student at BSU, you will take at least two courses that enable you to create art in spaces that include our dedicated art computer labs, graphic design, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and photography studios.

Visiting faculty member talking to a student about a painting on an easel in art studio

Learn from practicing artists and art historians

At BSU, you will take art history degree courses with artists and art historians who are regionally, nationally and internationally recognized and can bring their expertise to the classroom. Your faculty advisor will also help you navigate your academic experience, plan art and research projects, find internships and more.

Boston skyline on a sunny day with Charles River in foreground and blue sky background

Tap in to area resources

Throughout BSU’s art history degree programs, you’ll have the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom, too, through visits to major museums and galleries and architectural sites in Boston, New York City, Providence and western Massachusetts. Through these field excursions, you’ll have the chance to experience historical works firsthand while studying their significance.

Art history degree programs with the flexibility you need

BSU’s College of Continuing Studies gives you maximum flexibility to complete your degree. As you work toward your art history degree at BSU, you may take courses full time, part time, online or face-to-face — whichever works best for your lifestyle. We are also committed to offering courses in the evening should you need to juggle other responsibilities during the day.

Art history degree programs with national accreditation

When you choose an art history undergraduate program that’s nationally accredited, you know that it fulfills the rigorous standards of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. NASAD regularly reviews our art history degree programs to ensure they meet the association’s high standards.

Small class sizes, big learning opportunities

As an art history degree student, you’ll learn in classes of 35 or fewer students. This will grant you more one-on-one time with your instructors, plus the opportunity to get to know and create with fellow art history undergraduate students.

Program of Study for Art History Majors

As a student in our art history undergraduate program, you will gain a broad understanding of the methods of creating art and artistic movements through the ages from a global perspective.

You’ll also receive plenty of studio time to experience art methods no matter what medium you prefer, whether you are drawn to painting, digital imaging, four-dimensional design, photography or web art.

In addition to your foundation courses, you’ll also take courses in history, anthropology, art history and other fields. These may include:

Asian Art Survey: India, China and Japan
African American Art
Anthropology of Race, Class and Gender
Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East
Women in the Visual Arts

Click any link below to reveal each program's course detail.

Program details from 2024-2025 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Careers in Art History

What can you do with an art history degree? Our art history undergraduate program is designed to prepare you for entry-level careers in museums, galleries and schools or graduate school.

BSU alumni with art history undergraduate degrees have gone on to pursue careers such as:

Art director
Arts administrator
Graphic designer
Copywriter
Freelance photographer
K–12 teacher
Museum technician
Gallery and museum curator
Art therapist
Arts journalist
Historic preservationist
Arts consultant for corporations and auction houses

Should you pursue an advanced degree after you complete your art history undergraduate program, you can prepare to become an archivist or curator, the need for which is expected to grow

19%

through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2 students smiling at an art exhibit at the BSU Anderson Gallery

Continue your education beyond your Art History Undergraduate Degree

If you’d like to earn a graduate degree after you complete our art history undergraduate program, BSU offers the following options:

Visual Arts, MAT
Early Childhood Education, MEd
Elementary Education, MEd

View BSU Graduate Programs

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