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Art History, B.A.

Program Overview

In our contemporary global society, where images dominate, students of art history develop critical tools to understand visual culture. As a discipline, art history encourages appreciation of works of art and instills a vivid awareness of the social and historical context in which these works were produced. The B.A. in Art History builds sharp analytical skills and broad cultural literacy, preparing students for a wide range of careers.

The B.A. in Art History provides the flexibility to add a minor or double major. Our art history majors have gone on to become museum curators, digital media archivists, university professors, gallery directors, and art advisors. Complete the form below to learn more!

Program Contact

Jim Frakes

Professor of Art History and Program Coordinator

jffrakes@charlotte.edu

Art History Honors Program

Once you are an enrolled Art History student, you may apply to be part of the Departmental Honors Program in Art History. To be considered, students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 and a GPA of 3.25 in Art History courses. These GPAs must be met at the time of application and maintained through graduation.

Steps to earn honors in art history
  1. Find a faculty advisor: Speak with an Art History faculty member about your interest in the Honors Program and your potential research topic. Secure their agreement to serve as your thesis advisor.
  2. Take Honors Art History Methods (ARTH 3115): Enroll in this course after confirming your advisor. You must earn an A in the course. While enrolled, you will complete your Application for Admission to Candidacy (required to move forward in the program).
    • This application must be submitted to the Honors College by the deadline the semester before you plan to complete your thesis (typically the semester before ARTH 4700). The Honors Faculty will review your proposal, and you may be asked to make revisions.
    • While the form is completed during ARTH 3115, it is your responsibility to ensure it’s submitted on time. You cannot take ARTH 4700 until this process is complete.
    • For deadlines and submission details, visit the Honors College Graduation Process page. Missing this deadline will result in ineligibility to graduate with honors.
  3. Take Problems in Art History (ARTH 4090): Earn an A in this advanced seminar.
  4. Complete your thesis (Honors Art History Thesis: ARTH 4700): Conduct in-depth research and write an original thesis. Present your thesis to a committee of three faculty members (at least two must be Art History faculty). Note: You may take ARTH 4090 and ARTH 4700 in sequence or at the same time, depending on your schedule.

B.A. in Art History at a Glance

Students may consider adding another major or minor to complete the B.A. in Art History. Students who only complete the B.A. in Art History (without a second major or minor) often need to complete some elective credit hours to meet the total credit hour requirement. The program is housed in the Department of Art & Art History. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design.

Delivery
On-Campus
Total Credit Hours
120 Credit Hours
Major Courses
39 Credit Hours

Explore Art at UNC Charlotte

The Department of Art & Art History is one of five creative units in the College of Arts + Architecture, an artistic community that is unique in the Carolinas.

Visit us

The Department of Art & Art History invites prospective students to discover more about our programs and facilities by attending an Open House or In-Person Tour date.

student sitting at a art exhibition

“Even though Charlotte is such a large school, the feeling of camaraderie is so strong in our department and in my majors. With my degree in Art History, I hope to become an art museum curator with a specialty in Southeast Asian cultures or a creative director in the art historical realm.”

Jonah Sanderson
B.A. in Art History and B.F.A. in Graphic Design

Discover other programs of art study

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Explore Official University Catalog

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