B.A. in Art History
Study the methods of the visual arts and understand works of art in their historical, social, and political contexts.
Art history majors at the University of Mississippi learn about monuments, artists and artistic periods. Students learn art studio fundamentals, understand art theory and criticism, conduct research, and discern the hidden/not-so hidden ideas behind works of art.
Key Benefits
Art history majors learn about the styles, trends, and developments of art history and gain proficiency with communicating their thoughts about art. Students work with more than 2,000 objects in the David M. Robinson Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities housed within the University Museum.
Graduate Outcomes
A liberal arts education prepares graduates to deal with complexity and change through a broad knowledge of the world. They gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people. Careers related to art history include museum curator or educator, art critic or appraiser, or university teaching.
Experiences Offered
Students have the opportunity to engage in internships at the University Museum as well as numerous other regional museum internship locations.
B.A. in Art History Faculty
The art history faculty in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Mississippi have areas of specialization in Medieval art history and archaeology, 19th and 20th century American art, African American art, Early Modern Europe, modern art and architecture, postmodern art, theory, and the history & theory of photography.
Course Requirements
A major in art history for the B.A. degree requires the completion of 36 semester hours of art history, including AH 201, 202, 355, 401, 403, 499, 3 hours of ancient art history (AH 310 through 329), 3 hours of medieval art history (AH 330 through 339), 3 hours of Renaissance/Early Modern art history (AH 340 through 349), 3 hours of non-Western art history (AH 380 through 399), and 9 additional hours of art history at the 300 or 400 level; Art 101 plus 3 add'l hours of art.
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Art History program are the same as the general undergraduate admission requirements.
Mattie Codling
Mattie (B.A. in art history and anthropology, 2013) interned both at the UM Museum and the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum in Biloxi. After earning her M.A. in art history with a specialization in museum studies at Florida State University, she worked at the Mission San Luis Archaeological Site in Tallahassee. She is now the Director of Collections and Exhibitions of Ocean Springs' Walter Anderson Museum of Art.
Why study art history at UM?
"You have a wealth of knowledge and expertise available through the art history faculty who are leaders in their fields. You also have the incredible resource of one of the top ranked university museums in the country. I formed dear friendships with my professors and museum managers; they encouraged and pushed me to test my boundaries. They continue to support and celebrate my career."
Student Organizations
Join the Vasari Society, an art history student organization.