Complete Guide to an Online Art History Degree

Overview of Online Art History Degrees

Online associate, bachelor's, master’s, and certificate programs all help to prepare students for employment in the art world, but some positions require higher levels of education than others. An associate degree in art history provides general education, basic critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and an introduction to art history, preparing graduates for entry-level and internship positions. 

Bachelor's level coursework provides students with comprehensive exposure to the history of art. Students learn the research skills necessary to determine the significance of various artworks regarding style, genre, technique, and iconography of works. This exposure prepares them for entry- to mid-level employment job opportunities in museums, galleries, and studios. 

Graduate studies in art history provide education in specialized understandings of art and its cultural significance, as well as art preservation practices. Such education programs help to prepare graduates for high-level jobs at museums, galleries, and universities, where they can use their in-depth knowledge in management and other leadership positions.  

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Art History

Online bachelor's degree programs in art history cultivate skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, human relations, and creative expression, which prepare students for a broad range of art and non-art-related careers. With art history knowledge, bachelor's degree program graduates may pursue different entry-level jobs in the art field, such as museum technician, tour guide, art consultant, or gallery assistant. The same knowledge and skills gained in a bachelor's program can make graduates eligible for non-art-related entry and middle-middle level positions in marketing, business, journalism, retail, web design, and education, with titles such as store manager, business analyst, office assistant, and public relations specialist, to name a few. 

Online undergraduate art history coursework emphasizes a broad understanding of art aesthetics and iconography throughout the ages, and of the particular socio-cultural contexts in which artworks were created. Students should expect to take classes in specific art periods, ranging from the prehistoric to the contemporary, as well as art theory and practice in western and non-western regions of the world. Electives provide students opportunities to supplement their art history knowledge with general history and other culture-related topics that give more context to art as a human expression. An online bachelor’s degree in art history requires 120-130 academic credits and takes a full-time student around four to five years to complete. 

Online bachelor's degree in art history programs are offered by four-year colleges and universities, and art schools, and require a high school diploma, GED, or completion of transfer requirements from a community college to gain admission. Some institutions may ask students to submit standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT, to gain entrance.