Art History

Career potential

Do you enjoy conducting research? Do you have strong communication skills? Are you passionate about preserving art for future generations? Then you should pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History at the University of North Texas.

You see the work of art historians in the labels near artwork, as well as in the catalog, at exhibits housed in museums. Art historians research and write information that helps the public understand art and its place within culture. They also work to ensure that the art pieces can be viewed in the future.

A bachelor’s degree will prepare you for a variety of careers related to art history as well as provide a solid foundation for further work toward a master’s and a doctorate degree. Most art historians hold graduate degrees. With an advanced degree, you can pursue a career as a(n):

• art researcher
• gallery worker
• museum professional
• teacher at the university level
• writer or editor for an art publication

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers. The staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in art history

As an art history major, you will examine the global artistic production, relevant technologies, critical methods, learning theories and innovative approaches. Our goal is to enhance your understanding of contemporary and past visual art forms.

You will be required to complete a number of art appreciation courses, advanced-level art history courses and  foreign language courses related to your specific area of interest.

Our College of Visual Arts and Design is one of the nation’s most comprehensive visual arts schools and is considered one of the best in the Southwest. The faculty members have a wide range of specialties in art and architecture from different time periods and cultures, including:

• African American
• American
• ancient
• Asian
• baroque
• contemporary
• Islamic
• Latin American
• medieval
• modern and postmodern
• neoclassical
• pre-Colombian
• renaissance
• rococo

Additionally, the art history program offers opportunities to study abroad, allowing you to gain firsthand knowledge of some of the world’s artistic masterpieces.

Our 90,000-square-foot Art Building includes classrooms, three computer labs, faculty offices, studios, a workshop, the UNT Art Gallery and a visual resources library. Five other campus buildings house additional classrooms and laboratories, as well as the Texas Fashion Collection — a unique museum-quality collection of more than 15,000 garments that is available for study — and the Cora Stafford Gallery, which is used for exhibiting student work.

If you live on campus, you can become part of our Residents Engaged in Academic Living (REAL) Community for art students. This living-learning community brings students with the same interests together with a faculty member and enhances your academic and social experiences. More information about the REAL Community is at www.unt.edu/housing.

Getting hands-on experience

You may gain hands-on experience in art history by working in the UNT Art Gallery. In addition, we are within easy commuting distance of Dallas and Fort Worth, where major art museums such as the African American Museum, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Dallas Museum of Art, Kimbell Art Museum, Meadows Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Women’s Museum and numerous galleries provide valuable resources and experiences for you.

Another vital resource is our nationally accredited Internships and Cooperative Education office. More than 4,000 employers work with the office to provide excellent learning opportunities. Internships can last a summer or one full semester and can become a permanent full-time position upon graduation. Co-op employers pay extremely well, and the jobs usually last several semesters, often until graduation.

Preparing for UNT: High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program in high school.

In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, submit your application for admission by March 1 (apply online at www.applytexas.org) and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.

Preparing for UNT: Transfer students

As a benefit for transfer students, we participate in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you’re attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other valuable campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any other institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transfercenter.unt.edu.

Charting your path with academic advising

You must attend an orientation for the College of Visual Arts and Design held at about the same time as university orientation for new students or during registration at the start of each semester. You can view the dates for freshman and transfer orientation at nsp.unt.edu.

Our faculty members serve as the primary advisors to students. The College of Visual Arts and Design Student Services Office is in the Art Building, Room 111.

You can also utilize our new online degree audit system. This interactive tool can help you stay on track for graduation and prepare for advising appointments. You can monitor your progress 24/7, even viewing the impact of various majors. The system is easily accessible through my.unt.edu using the “my academics” link on the student center page.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.