Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Arts
Nature of the Program
The BA in Art History and Museum Professions provides a foundation in the history of art and architecture in a global context while introducing students to the range of museum professions and collection care and management. Students gain hands-on experience at the Art Museum of WVU and have access to four other campus museums. Majors have the option to take a series of technical art history courses to prepare them for further study in art conservation. Additionally, students can choose to earn their BA Art History and Museum Professions degree with a JD in Law in six years in an accelerated program. Students are required to take one Global Positioning Studies (GPS) place-based study course, such as Disegno Italia, San Gemini Preservation Studies in Italy, or 19th Century Painting and Photography in France. These GPS courses fulfill a regular degree requirement (see more information and a complete list of courses on the School web page).
Language Requirement
BA Art History and Museum Professions students are required to demonstrate adequate mastery of a second language to meet accreditation standards. This can be accomplished through a variety of language options that may or may not involve credit hours. Students should consult with their faculty mentor about appropriate options.
Admissions for 2025-2026
Students must meet the requirements for University admission. There are no additional entrance requirements (e.g., portfolio review) for the Bachelor of Arts programs in Art History and Museum Professions, Art Therapy, and Game Design and Interactive Media.
A research paper is recommended for applicants seeking scholarship consideration by the Art History and Museum Professions program.
For further information, please consult the College's website or call the College's Recruitment Office at (304) 293-4339. Applicants can also visit the School of Art and Design's website or phone the School office at (304) 293-2552.
Major Code: 3752
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations | ||
| F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
| Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
| F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
| F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
| F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
| F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
| F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
| F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
| F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 31-37 | |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 51 | |
| School of Art and Design Requirements | 6 | |
| Art History Major Requirements | 63 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
| Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 | 19 | |
| ART 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
School of Art and Design Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A grade of C- or higher required in all ART and ARHS courses in the program requirements. | ||
| ARHS 120 | Survey of Art History 1 (may fulfill GEF 6) | 3 |
| ARHS 160 | Survey of Art History 2 (may fulfill GEF 8) | 3 |
| Global Positioning Studies (GPS) Requirement * | ||
| Writing Portfolio Requirement ** | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- *
Global Positioning Studies (GPS) Requirement - At least one ART or ARHS course must fulfill the GPS requirement.
- **
The School of Art and Design values and supports written communication abilities and critical thinking skills developed through iterative writing experiences across the curriculum and within the discipline. To meet this goal students must pass with a B- or better a writing portfolio requirement that includes examples of academic, professional, and reflective writing they have produced in their regular courses. Please contact your advisor for more information.
Art History Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A grade of C- or higher required in all ART and ARHS courses in the major requirements. | ||
| Studio (Any ART course) | 6 | |
| Art History & Museum Professions: Restricted Electives I-IV | ||
| I: Prehistory to 1300: Select 1 from the following | 3 | |
| Asian Art | ||
| Greek and Roman | ||
| Ancient Greek Art and Architecture | ||
| Ancient Roman Art and Architecture | ||
| Medieval | ||
| Medieval Architecture | ||
| II: 1300-1750: Select 1 from the following | 3 | |
| Northern Renaissance | ||
| Italian Renaissance | ||
| Baroque | ||
ARHS Semester in Italy | ||
| III: 1750-Present: Select 1 from the following | 3 | |
| American | ||
| Nineteenth Century | ||
| Modern | ||
| Modern Architecture | ||
| Contemporary | ||
| IV: Museums Professions: Select 2 from the following | 6 | |
| Introduction to Curatorial Practices | ||
| Gallery Studies | ||
| Conservation Practices: Digital Documentation, Treatment, Condition Assessment | ||
| Collections Care and Preservation of Material Objects | ||
| Material Objects Investigations 1 (2-D) | ||
| Material Objects Investigation 2 (3-D) | ||
ARHS 491: Professional Field Experience (may take for 3 CR HRS as Practicum/Lab beyond Required 3 CR HRS) | ||
San Gemini, Italy GPS (co-requisite courses) | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Analysis of Archaeological Ceramics | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Introduction to the History and Craft of Book Bindings | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Intro to Preservation and Preventive Conservation of Books | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Restoration of Traditional Masonry Buildings in Italy | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings in Italy | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Paper Media and Restoration Methods for Artworks | ||
| Professional Field Experience:Handwritten & Printed Archival Materials Restoration Methods | ||
| Professional Field Experience:Traditional Painting Materials, Methods, &Restoration Issues | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Traditional Painting Workshop | ||
| Professional Field Experience: Restoration: Theory, Ethics, and Issues | ||
| ARHS 300/400-level Electives from ARHS I, II, III | 12 | |
| Art History & Museum Professions Required Courses | ||
| ARHS 240 | Research, Writing, & Methods in Art History *** | 3 |
| ARHS 345 | Modern Art Theory | 3 |
| ARHS 401 | Senior Project-Capstone | 3 |
| ARHS 311 | Museums and Society | 3 |
| ARHS 312 | Museums in Action | 3 |
| ARHS 491 | Professional Field Experience | 3 |
| Foreign Language Requirement **** | 0-12 | |
| Total Hours | 63 | |
- ***
ARHS 240 fulfills writing requirement
- ****
The foreign language requirement typically completes GEF areas 7 and 8. Cognate: Language other than English for reading knowledge (NASAD Required, "adequate mastery" of 0-12 CR HRS).
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Studio Arts | 3 | GEF 3 | 3 |
| ARHS 120 (GEF 6) | 3 | ARHS 160 | 3 |
| Foreign Language (GEF 7) | 3 | Foreign Language (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| ART 191 (University Requirement) | 2 | GEF 2 | 4 |
| GEF 4 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARHS 240 | 3 | ARHS I | 3 |
| Foreign Language (GEF 8) | 3 | Foreign Language (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ARHS 312 | 3 |
| ARHS 311 | 3 | ARHS I-III 300/400 Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARHS 345 | 3 | ARHS III | 3 |
| ARHS IV | 3 | ARHS IV | 3 |
| ARHS II | 3 | GEF 5 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ARHS I-III 300/400 Elective | 3 |
| Studio Art | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARHS I-III 300/400 Elective | 3 | ARHS 491 | 3 |
| ARHS I-III 300/400 Elective | 3 | ARHS 401 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 36 | |
| School of Art and Design Requirements | 6 | |
| Art History Major Requirements | 48 | |
| Law Requirements | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
| Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 | 19 | |
| ART 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
School of Art and Design Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARHS 120 | Survey of Art History 1 | 3 |
| ARHS 160 | Survey of Art History 2 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Art History Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A grade of C- or higher required in all ART and ARHS courses in the major requirements. | ||
| Studio (Any ART course) | 6 | |
| Art History Core | ||
| Prehistory to 1300: Select 1 from the following | 3 | |
| Greek and Roman | ||
| Ancient Roman Art and Architecture | ||
| Medieval | ||
| Medieval Architecture | ||
| 1300-1750: Select 1 from the following | 3 | |
| Northern Renaissance | ||
| Italian Renaissance | ||
| Baroque | ||
ARHS Semester in Italy | ||
| 1750-Present: Select 1 from the following | 3 | |
| American | ||
| Nineteenth Century | ||
| Modern | ||
| Modern Architecture | ||
| Contemporary | ||
| Art History Major Courses | ||
| ARHS 240 | Research, Writing, & Methods in Art History | 3 |
| ARHS 345 | Modern Art Theory | 3 |
| ARHS 494 | Seminar | 3 |
| ARHS 401 | Senior Project-Capstone | 3 |
| ARHS 300/400 level (excluding Special Topics courses) | 9 | |
| Foreign Language (fulfills GEFs 7 and 8) | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
Doctor of Jurisprudence Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 641 | Introduction to Legal Research | 1 |
| LAW 675 | Introduction to the Profession | 1 |
| LAW 686 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 700 | Legal Analysis, Research and Writing 1 | 3 |
| LAW 703 | Contracts 1 | 4 |
| LAW 705 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 707 | Property | 4 |
| LAW 709 | Torts 1 | 4 |
| LAW 711 | Legal Analysis, Research and Writing 2 | 2 |
| LAW 725 | Constitutional Law 1 | 4 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ART 191 | 2 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
| ARHS 120 (GEF 6) | 3 | ARHS 160 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | ARHS 312 | 3 |
| Studio Art Course | 3 | Language Course 102 | 3 |
| Language Course 101 (GEF 7) | 3 | GEF 2A/B, F3, F4, or F5 | 3-4 |
| GEF F3, F4, or F5 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARHS 240 | 3 | ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 |
| ARHS 311 | 3 | ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 |
| Studio Art Course | 3 | ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 |
| GEF 8 | 3 | ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 |
| Language Course 203 | 3 | GEF 2A/B, F3, F4, or F5 | 3-4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARHS 345 | 3 | ARHS 401 | 3 |
| ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 | ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 |
| ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 | ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 |
| ARHS Restricted Electives | 3 | GEF 2A/B, F3, F4, or F5 | 3-4 |
| GEF 8 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| LAW 641 | 1 | LAW 675 | 1 |
| LAW 686 | 4 | LAW 703 | 4 |
| LAW 700 | 3 | LAW 707 | 4 |
| LAW 705 | 3 | LAW 711 | 2 |
| LAW 709 | 4 | LAW 725 | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Once accepted to the College of Law, students will complete all of the requirements of the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree as are in effect when the student begins at the College of Law. The classes taken during the first year at the College of Law will count toward both the student's undergraduate degree and Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. During their second and third years at the College of Law, students shall be responsible for fulfilling all of the other requirements in order to graduate with the Doctor of Jurisprudence as in effect when the student began at the College of Law. Students should communicate with their undergraduate program during their 4th year of undergraduate/1st year of law school to coordinate graduating with their undergraduate degree in the August following the completion of their first year of law classes.
Major Learning Outcomes
Art History
Students graduating with a BA in Art History and Museum Professions will:
-
Demonstrate visual literacy by visually analyzing objects, art, and images and situating them within applicable contexts.
-
Demonstrate a general knowledge of representative monuments and artists of all major art periods of the past, including a broad understanding of the art of the contemporary and modern periods and global cultures, augmented by developing more in-depth competencies and knowledge across a broad geographical and temporal range of cultures and periods in art history.
-
Analyze and evaluate the roles: of museums in society, that objects play in society; of patrons and collectors; of sites of exhibition and display; of the interplay of ethical issues.
-
Communicate complex information clearly and effectively in writing, speaking, and public presentations adapted to different audiences.
-
Produce research applying problem-solving skills in locating, evaluating, and synthesizing primary and secondary sources, and developing interpretations and thesis-driven arguments using properly documented evidence.
-
Apply theory and critical thinking skills to generate original ideas.