Bachelor of Arts in Art History

Art History students explore how humans have expressed ideas, experiences, and beliefs through visual and material culture: archaeological remains, painting, sculpture, architecture, graphics, decorative arts, film, and more. The connection between art, cultural traditions, social practice, politics, religion and economic climates is an essential part of our coursework.

Our online Art History degree is one of only a few in the nation. We regularly offer more than 25 courses online covering the full breadth of global art history and archaeology, from ancient to contemporary times, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Courses are taught by full-time faculty members, primarily tenured, who are experts in their content areas and have attained international reputations for research and publication in their respective fields.

Art History students pursue a wide range of occupations in museums and galleries, higher education, libraries and archives, or myriad positions within the creative economy of non-profits, arts administration, and design. Or, you can put into action a toolkit of skills including visual and cultural literacy, research and presentation, writing and editing, communications and creative problem-solving to compete successfully for a host of other job opportunities.

Practical experience matters to build a resume for that next step after college, whether that’s graduate school or a first job. Two particular online experiences help with that:

ARTHIST 501 (Colloquium in Method and Theory), a vital, required “capstone” course, allows distance learners to engage in a cohort-based learning environment and demonstrates for potential employers or graduate programs the ability to research and write creatively and independently.

ARTHIST 691 (Internship) provides online majors with an authentic, real-world experience working with museum professionals in UWM’s Emile H. Mathis Art Gallery and over 8000 objects held in the UWM Art Collection.

To begin the application process, see apply.wisconsin.edu . Select the online version of the major you are interested in. If you are unable to locate the online major in the drop down list, contact undergraduateadmissions@uwm.edu.

Once admitted, students will work with an assigned advisor in the College of Letters & Science via phone or video. Students will also have a faculty advisor to assist with the major-specific requirements.