Edited By Charlotte Sears
Review & Contribution By Dr. William Harris
Unlock the past; shape the future. Dive into art’s rich tapestry with a Master’s in Art History Online Degree. Explore, analyze, and inspire.
Art historians analyze visual arts like paintings, sculptures, inscriptions, architecture, and more to understand the people and places at the time of their creation. An online art history master’s degree helps students develop a solid knowledge of art across the ages. They also gain an enhanced understanding of contemporary and past art forms, methodologies, and advanced skills in art history research. Graduates can apply various methods and theories to investigate images, artworks, or related materials from visual culture. A master’s in art history online prepares graduates for diverse careers, including librarians, museum curators, archivists, historians, and fine artists.
Table Of Contents
Featured Online Masters in History Programs
FindBestDegrees.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
National University
PROGRAM: Online Masters in History (MA)
National University, headquartered in San Diego, California, was founded in 1971 to provide educational opportunities for adult learners and working professionals. It offers over 190 degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, with flexible online and on-campus courses. Serving around 40,000 students and over 240,000 alumni, the university is recognized for its support of U.S. military members. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), National University is committed to accessible and transformative higher education.
FindBestDegrees.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Southern New Hampshire University
PROGRAM: Online Masters in History (MA)
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on campus students, over 170,000 online students, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.
We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, or via our innovative online platform.
SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.
Find the Best Master’s in Art History Online Programs
When hunting for top online Art History Master’s programs, scrutinize faculty expertise, program specificity, and institutional renown. Assess faculty credentials, curriculum relevance, and support services. Students must explore expenses, job prospects, salary offers, employment stats, and acceptance rates. FBD teams have assessed many schools and degrees from across the country and, using a proprietary methodology, prepared a list of institutions offering the best online master’s in art history degrees.
| Univ | Address | Tuition | Grad Rate |
| Lindenwood University | 209 S Kingshighway St, Saint Charles, Missouri 63301 | $8,550 | 50% |
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
What to Expect from a Master’s in Art History Program
An online master’s in art history provides students with an understanding of various topics in art movements and theories while cultivating skills necessary for analyzing images and historical contexts. Typically spanning around 36 credit hours, it can be completed in two years. Explored subjects encompass museum curation, ancient Greek art, impressionism, avant-garde, graphic design, and more. Programs with a thesis requirement mandate students to craft a thesis based on original research post-coursework completion. Certain degrees may feature a capstone course where students demonstrate their curriculum comprehension and academic prowess. Upon completing an online master’s art history, individuals are equipped for diverse careers, such as archivists, historians, museum curators, librarians, fine artists, etc.
Curriculum and Coursework
The master’s programs in art history, criticism, and theory allow students to cover 19th and 20th-century art, modernism, strategies for writing art criticism, and methodologies in art history. Graduates study areas like the visual and material culture of the Near East and the ancient Mediterranean art, the architecture of South Asia, material culture in Europe, America, Middle East, and historiography, theory, and methodology of visual and art material since 1900.
An online master’s degree in art history provides students the exposure to attending a guest lecture, leading discussions, workshops, and so on. Most of these programs have interdisciplinary seminars and share approaches and methods found in religious studies, literature, geography, history, gender studies, digital humanities, and anthropology. Some of the standard courses students learn across various institutions are:
Art History Methodologies and Theory
Students study various theoretical perspectives that have shaped interdisciplinary approaches and practices in art history. They get an introduction to particular methodologies relevant to studying the arts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and their diasporas. Students will learn to apply these theories and methods through written and spoken argumentation.
Art and Ideology of the 20th Century
This course explores the 20th-century rapid artistic change and development and traditional art concepts. Students learn about the most influential contemporary and modern art movements and effects, including Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Photorealism, Neo-Expressionism, etc. Students learn about modern art, urbanization, and a philosophical movement.
Italian Renaissance Art
Most curriculums have a course on Italian Renaissance Art to study significant movements throughout the centuries and have produced many artists like architects, sculptors, painters, and more. Students learn about Italian art movements from the beginning of the architectural design of Roman residences and temples, structured on Etruscan models and principles. They also gain knowledge of Proto-Renaissance and High Renaissance artists.
Research Methods in Art Education
This course on research methods in Art Education helps students gain knowledge of methodologies used in social sciences, sciences, and education. Some standard research methods students learn of are action research, constructivism, grounded theory, critical discourse analysis, case studies, ethnographic research, focus group research, longitudinal analysis, and more.
Contemporary Perspectives on Artistic Learning
A contemporary art course examines alternative perspectives on current art and delves into analyzing diverse viewpoints, offering questions and answers. Participants engage with art through the lens of learning and essential experiences, fostering dialogues between artists and artworks. Students develop expertise in viewing art and teaching, gaining insight from an expert standpoint.
Some standard courses students can find across the Master’s of Art History program include:
- Formalism
- Social art history
- Gender studies
- Post-colonialism
- Museum Education
- Curatorship
- Art history connoisseurship
- Ancient art history
- Introduces the historiography and methodology
- Northern European Art
- Asian Art
- Technical studies of works of Art
- Architectural history
- Post-1750 Global
Learning Outcomes and Skills Gained
The Master in Art History helps students gain advanced knowledge of historical study in American and European art from the early Renaissance through past and present, as well as Asian and non-Western art. The program can prepare students for doctoral degrees, museums, and other curatorial-related careers. They also develop an understanding of art research practices and historical methods while building skills in visual analysis, research, and written and verbal communication about art. The program also exposes students to innovative approaches in art history to foster a broader understanding of the discipline and its comprehensive application. Some essential skills that students of online master’s degree art history can attain include the ability to:
- demonstrate efficiency in listening and speaking to staff and clients, ensuring that employees’ ideas and client’s desires for publications, movie sets, and advertisements are articulated;
- demonstrate innovative ideas and concepts to develop advertising campaigns, layout options, and set designs;
- demonstrate articulations of artistic vision and oversee the work of other artists as it progresses;
- demonstrate open-mindedness and adapt to the latest techniques and artworks with changing technology used in the relevant industry;
- demonstrate the capacity to balance competing multiple projects and priorities to meet strict deadlines;
- demonstrate the knowledge of authentic artwork and other objects that are thought-provoking and visually appealing, requiring significant attention and skills to details in one or more forms of art;
- demonstrate efficacy in promoting themselves and their art to build a name and reputation and increase the learning of prospective customers’ needs.
Types of Master’s Degrees Art History Students Can Obtain
An art history graduate program online is beneficial for those who want to advance their career opportunities and increase their potential to earn. The most common graduate degree in this field is a MA art history online that helps students prepare for a doctoral program, museum, curatorial, or other positions. Through this art history MA online degree, students are also exposed to innovative methods of art history to foster a broad learning of the area and its wide-ranging applications.
Master of Arts in Art History
The Master of Arts or MA in Art History is designed to instruct learners in methodologies in research and scholarly materials, grounding students in diverse areas of art history. It offers students advanced study of art history in domains of European and North American Art, Indigenous arts of America, Asian Art, and so on.
Areas of Specialization for Art History Students
Specializations in academic programs allow students to focus on specific areas of interest or expertise. By delving deeper into a particular subject, students can gain specialized knowledge and skills that are valuable for their chosen career paths. Specializations also enable students to differentiate themselves in the job market and pursue advanced opportunities in their field. Some specializations a student of a master’s degree in art history online can pursue include:
| Area of Specialization | Description | Career Options |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | This specialization helps students gain historical and contemporary photo-based processes from concept formation to image captures in completing artworks. It emphasizes a vast domain of technical and conceptual practices in contemporary art, emphasizing video, photography, etc. | Various roles as a Photographer, photo retoucher, and more |
| Studio Art | Studio Art specialization helps students to emphasize creative expression through visual arts. They learn about visual art made in the studio, like ceramics, photography, painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. | Various roles as studio artists, gallery curators, etc |
| Painting | The painting concentration allows students to develop, explore, and gain a personal understanding of visual language components and technical knowledge of painting. They also gain knowledge of time, motion, communication, digital video, graphic design, etc. | Various roles as a gallery curator, art teacher, etc |
| Art history | This concentration helps students develop skills in research, knowledge, and writing of histories and organizations or art in global contexts. Students analyze different art forms and their material and visual culture from past to contemporary times. | Various roles as an archivist, museum educator, etc. |
| Design | Concentrating on design helps students learn about problem-solving relative to increasingly complex projects and experiences. It helps them understand how to present rich materials of culture through pleasurable, practical, and aesthetic components. | Various roles as an industrial designer, graphic designer, interior designer, UI/UX designer, etc. |
| Fine Arts | This concentration helps students portray their ideas through their work. Students study domains like aesthetics, portrait painting, life study, printmaking, composition painting, history or arts, etc. | Various roles as a museum educator, art teacher, etc. |
Full-Time and Part-Time Programs
The art history master’s online program typically takes two years to complete when completed full-time. Those taking up this degree part-time will take around three to four years to finish the curriculum. The average time to complete a graduate program is one to three years, but this can vary from degree to degree, the courseload, research, or thesis work. Non-thesis degrees generally take less duration than thesis programs. Those accelerating their degree can complete the curriculum in less than two years. The program’s timeline may depend on whether a student is taking up the coursework online, offline, or through hybrid learning modes. Here is a summary of the timeline for the art history graduate degree
- Full-Time: Students enrolled in the full-time program can complete all courses within two years.
- Part-Time: Part-time students enrolled in the program can complete all courses within three to four years.
Accelerated Art History Programs
An accelerated program is a degree that generally consists of short classes in online modes that can save students years or months of study. Prospective students must check if they are eligible for an accelerated program; typically, they must have some college experience or credit that can be assessed or transferred. Accelerated degrees can differ from a traditional program in format or length of courses, speed of earning degree, cost, and potential impact on the organization. Many accelerated degrees allow students to earn their graduate degrees faster than the traditional timelines, in less than one year. Here are some examples of colleges that provide an accelerated online art history master’s degree
Requirements for Getting into a Master’s in Art History Online Program
To enroll in an online Art History Master’s Degree Program, applicants typically need to meet certain criteria determined by the institution. These criteria ensure that students possess the necessary qualifications and background to succeed in the program and contribute positively to the academic community. If the applicant’s native language is not English, verification of their English proficiency may be required by submitting IETLS, TOEFL, and more scores. Some of the standard admission requirements for online master’s in art history include:
- Application fee and form
- Official and unofficial transcripts
- Undergraduate degree in art history or related degrees
- Generally, colleges require a minimum GPA of 2.0 or more
- Two to Three recommendation letters from professionals
- Personal statements should describe the candidate’s goals for entering the program and their objectives in the portfolios submitted.
- Writing sample which can include an undergraduate research paper (may not be required by all colleges)
- Curriculum Vitae
- A portfolio highlighting work done in the field of Art History
No GRE Master’s in Art History Online Programs
The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a general and multiple-choice test for candidates who want to pursue higher education. However, many universities are doing away with the GRE scores and considering other academic requirements instead of this standardized score, like official transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, etc. Here are a few colleges that offer online art history master’s degree no GRE
How to Ensure a Master’s in Art History Online Program Is Accredited
Accreditation ensures that educational institutions meet certain quality standards, assuring students of the institution’s credibility and the value of their education. It helps students make informed decisions when choosing schools, ensuring employers and other institutions recognize their degrees and enhancing their career prospects.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design establishes effective standards by creating a basic framework that standardizes art and design programs across the United States. Colleges providing art history graduate programs online accredited by this organization show a commitment to understanding unique situations and academic growth.
Where to Find Free Online Courses for Master’s in Art History Online Students
Free online courses provide accessible learning opportunities for students worldwide, covering diverse subjects from coding to literature. These courses offer flexibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace and on their schedule. Some provide certificates upon completion, enhancing resumes and skillsets. They democratize education, breaking down barriers to learning and empowering individuals to pursue their passions and career goals. Here are a few free art history courses graduate students can pursue:
| Course | Description | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Art History Renaissance to 20th Century6 | This course covers aspects of language used to discuss art, culture, and architecture from the Renaissance to the 1950s. Students explore the symbolism of words and interpret the interrelationships of symbols through art. | Udemy |
| Modern and Contemporary Art and Design7 | Through this course, students can gain the confidence to look at and talk about contemporary and modern art and design and find inspiration. They can also comprehend the artists’ and designers’ processes, including their experimentation techniques. | Coursera |
| The Architectural Imagination8 | The free course involves societal, technical, political, economic, and aesthetic challenges. It involves vivid material and aesthetic analyses of exemplary buildings and hands-on exercises in modeling and drawing. | Harvard University |
Note: Some courses mentioned on these sites may be free, while others may demand a small fee. As policies and offers keep changing periodically, students are advised to check for the latest ones that suit their needs.
Ways to Pay for a Master’s in Art History Online Degree
With rising tuition costs and mounting student debt, financing an online art history master’s degree poses challenges. Students must navigate various avenues to cover expenses and minimize debt, ensuring affordability and accessibility to advanced education in the field of art history. Here are a few ways students can fund their master’s in art history programs:
Scholarships provide financial aid to students based on various criteria like academic excellence, extracurricular achievements, or financial need. They ease the burden of educational expenses, empowering individuals to pursue their academic goals and contribute positively to society’s advancement.
Grants offer financial assistance for tuition, books, and living expenses. Awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or specific demographics, they alleviate the burden of educational costs, enabling students to pursue their academic aspirations without overwhelming debt.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships provide financial support to graduate students in exchange for research or teaching assistance. These opportunities offer valuable experience, mentorship, and funding, allowing students to focus on their studies while gaining practical skills relevant to their future careers.
Student Loans
Student loans are financial instruments designed to help students cover higher education costs, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. They typically accrue interest and must be repaid after graduation, serving as a vital resource for many individuals to access education opportunities.
FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a crucial form for students seeking financial aid for college in the United States. It determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs, helping make higher education more accessible and affordable for millions of students.
Scholarships for Master’s in Art History Online Students
Scholarships for online art history master’s degree students provide financial assistance, easing the burden of tuition fees and expenses. These online master’s in art history scholarships recognize academic excellence and support students in pursuing advanced studies in art history. By alleviating financial constraints, scholarships enable students to focus on their education, deepen their expertise, and pursue rewarding careers in the art world. Here is an example of a scholarship for students pursuing a master of art history:
| Scholarship | Description | Award/Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitro College Scholarship9 | The Nitro Pay for College No-Essay Scholarship is a one-of-a-kind monthly opportunity for any individual who is a graduate, student, or even parent of a prospective graduate student to get the monetary benefit for their education. Candidates must register for Nitro, a financial assistance and loan resources platform, to apply for this funding. | $2,000 | December 31, 2024 |
Career Opportunities and Salaries After Graduating With a Master’s in Art History Online Degree
After graduating with a master’s in art history, individuals can expect diverse career opportunities and competitive salaries in various sectors. With advanced expertise in art analysis and cultural understanding, graduates can pursue fulfilling roles that align with their interests and aspirations, contributing meaningfully to the art community and beyond.
A master’s student can expect to work in domains like private and government organizations, schools, colleges, museums, galleries, heritage sites, etc. Those individuals who have completed an online master’s degree in art history can pursue occupations including:
- Archivists
- Art Associate
- Art Director
- Art Librarian
- Art Teacher
- Artwork Manager
- Curators
- Gallery Assistant
- Gallery Host
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- Museum Guide
- Painter
- Photo Editor
- Photographer
- Professors
- Visual Artists
Some of these occupations have been elaborated below:
| Occupation | Job Description | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (up to 2031) | Skills Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Directors10 | These professionals coordinate activities with other creative and artistic departments, develop detailed timelines and budgets, and present designs to clients for approval. Art directors also determine which art, techniques, and photographs elements will be used. | $106,500 | 6% (faster than average) | Communication, creativity, leadership, resourcefulness, and time-management skills. |
| Historians11 | Historians write articles, books, and reports on theories and findings. They provide guidance or advice on preservation issues and historical topics and engage with the public through educational presentations and programs. They often preserve and study archival materials. | $72,890 | 3% (as fast as average) | Analytical, communication, foreign language, problem-solving, and research skills |
| Art History Writers and Authors12 | Writers and authors establish their credibility by providing readers with solid research, use of sources, and citations. These professionals develop content for different media types, including blogs, books, magazines, and advertisements. They are also required to write fiction or nonfiction scripts, biographies, or any other formats | $73,690 | 4% (as fast as average) | Adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, determination, persuasion, social perceptiveness, and writing skills. |
| Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers13 | These professionals must create and manage systems to preserve and maintain electronic records and organize and classify archival materials. They also direct workers to help arrange, support, and exhibit collections. They also prepare materials for display to the public. | $57,120 | 10% (much faster than average) | Analytical, customer-service, detail-oriented, and organizational skills. |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists14 | Anthropologists and archeologists excavate artifacts, plan cultural research, and customize data collection methods according to a specific region, project, or specialty. They record and manage records of observations from the field and collect information from interviews, documents, and comments. | $63,800 | 4% (as fast as the average) | Analytical, critical thinking, communication skills, and physical stamina. |
Certifications and Licensing for Master’s in Art History Online Graduates
Those pursuing a master’s in art history online will generally not find many professional certifications. Having a graduate degree is enough to gain employment in the field. Most jobs do not require licensing to perform their in-art history or related fields.
Additional Resources for Master’s in Art History Online Graduates
Joining professional associations offers graduates valuable resources to advance their careers. Memberships provide networking opportunities, access to exclusive research and databases, and potential internships and jobs. Engaging with these resources helps graduates deepen their understanding, stay updated on industry trends, and enhance their professional prospects in the art world. Here are a few resources that those pursuing a master’s degree in art history online can explore:
| Title/Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| College Art Association of America | College Art Association or CAA access annual conferences, publications, year-round programs and events, podcasts, etc. They can connect members to a large community of associations and individuals working together and avocation to advance practices, research, and the impact of visual arts. |
| American Council of Learned Societies | The American Council of Learned Societies helps individual learned society members represented by the member societies across global organizations, universities, colleges, and research libraries. They provide study fellowships, grants, American studies programs, digital innovation fellowships, and more. |
| Art Libraries Society of North America Home | The Art Libraries Society of North America provides its members with publications and programming, networking resources, professional development, and a forum for thought-provoking debates. They also offer informal and official collaborative relationships with other arts and humanities organizations to further the aim of professionals |
| Association of Historians of American Art | Association of Historians of American Art provide forums for advancing and presenting new approaches to the domain of art and examining problems. They provide their members with periodic symposia, annual meetings, online journals, websites, and newsletters. |
| International Center of Medieval Art | The International Center of Medieval Art, or ICMA, sponsors sessions and funds special lecturers by scholars at major academic conferences. ICMA has funding given to members to support research, publication, travel, and exhibition development. They also include unique opportunities for students to meet conservators and curators. |
FAQs About Master’s in Art History Online Programs
What is an art history degree?
An art history degree is an academic program that explores the evolution of visual arts throughout history. It delves into various art movements, styles, and cultural contexts, equipping students with analytical skills to interpret and critique artworks. Graduates often pursue careers in museums, galleries, education, or cultural heritage sectors.
Why should you pursue an art history degree online?
Is an online master in art history worth it?
What can you do with an online master of art history degree?
Is it necessary to pursue a bachelor’s in art history to enroll in a master’s degree in art history?
How does one become an art historian?
Why should students get a master’s in art history?
Citations:
University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Texas at Austin
New York University Institute of Fine Arts
Art History Renaissance to 20th Century-Udemy
Modern and Contemporary Art and Design-Coursera
The Architectural Imagination-Harvard University
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Art Directors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Historians
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Art History Writers and Authors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Anthropologists and Archeologists