Bachelor of Arts in Art History

Catalog Year 2026-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for ART HISTORY

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission to University of Mary Washington

• Earn a transfer associate degree.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for your associate degree.

• Earn grades of "C" or higher in all community college courses.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Register Intent to Transfer: After the first 15 credits, complete this form and submit to admit@umw.edu to receive application fee waiver: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/adult/our-commitment/guaranteed-admission...

• Admission Application: Apply by October 15 for spring admission, March 1 for summer admission, and April 1 for fall admission. Additional details and a transfer checklist are available at https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Financial Aid: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Apply by April 1 to ensure you receive the maximum aid for which you are eligible. FAFSAs will still be accepted after the April 1 deadline. The required forms are found at http://studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Take ARTH 303 as soon as you have arrived at UMW and declared your major.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org

• UMW requires proficiency in a second language as part of the general education requirements. This can be satisfied in a number of ways including completing four years of language in high school, transferring credits from a community college, or completing a sequence of language courses through the 201 level at UMW. American Sign Language is accepted for transfer as a second language. All of the options for satisfying this requirement are found in the UMW Catalog: https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/general-education/general-educatio...

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and UMW within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The Art History major at the University of Mary Washington provides a foundation for any type of career that requires a strong and developed ability to read and write, identify and solve problems, work with visual material, and think critically. Faculty are teacher-scholars engaged in research and professional activities. We work closely with students on student-initiated research topics and invite students to join us on our research.

• University resources in Simpson Library include strong holdings in Art History and related disciplines as well as subscriptions to important databases and other resources to support opportunities for expansive and exciting learning. Department and University resources also include scholarships and grants that allow students to conduct on-site research to look at and study art; grants have allowed our students to travel throughout the US as well as Mexico, African nations, and European countries on research; and department and university study abroad opportunities all over the world. We offer numerous relevant courses in particular on Japanese and Korean art.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Transfer students with a VCCS transferable associate degree have completed the UMW general education requirements except second language competency, digital intensive, diverse and global perspectives, after Mary Washington, and beyond the classroom general education requirements. Several of these requirements are integrated into the art history major. UMW does allow students to satisfy these requirements through qualifying transfer coursework.

• Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Students participating in dual enrollment programs are considered as freshman applicants. Dual enrollment courses taken at the high school are treated identically with the same course when taken on a college campus; dual enrollment status does not affect the transferability of the course.

• Credit for Prior Learning: UMW accepts credit for AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and other qualifying previous coursework.

• Catalog Year: Students must complete general education requirements associated with the academic year that they enroll at UMW. Students complete major requirements associated with the academic year in which they declare their major.

Is This College Right For Me?

• UMW is a small university located in suburban Fredericksburg, VA. We offer small class sizes and courses are taught by faculty committed to student learning and success.

• Home is precisely what UMW will come to feel like. Our campus is gorgeous, green, and full of opportunity. Join a club sports team. Audition for a musical. Lead the way in Student Government Association. See a performance or an exhibition. Or sit back, relax, and take it all in from the cozy comfort of Ball Circle.

• UMW offers high impact experiences beyond the classroom. Faculty are committed to collaborating with students on research projects and outreach experiences.

• UMW is located between Washington DC and Richmond, VA, both of which boast significant visual art resources. UMW students enjoy a multitude of internship opportunities where they can apply their academic knowledge while gaining professional experience. UMW students receive support with resumes and job searches through the department and University resources and can earn academic credit for qualifying internship experiences.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

Did You Know That…

• Completing your associate's transfer degree satisfies most lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree.

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at the University of Mary Washington.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org

Program Successes & Highlights

• We offer a faculty-led study abroad program with Art History and Studio Art to Japan.

• Art History at Mary Washington is located in the Department of Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry, an exciting interdisciplinary department housing Anthropology, Art History, Classical Studies, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. We have a lively department culture.

• The department's Leidecker Center for Asian Studies as well as a faculty member whose work is dedicated to East Asian art provides additional opportunities for students interested in that material.

• Students may earn Honors in Art History by completing requirements including successfully completing two Senior Seminars and one Individual Study, or one Senior Seminar and two Individual Studies.

• A significant number of our students complete internships and study abroad.

• Proximity to one of the most art museum-rich areas in the country including Washington, D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and New York City, gives students first-hand experiences of art works and remarkable internship opportunities. Fredericksburg's Amtrak station facilitates travel to all these areas.

• Visiting scholars and artists offer students important networking opportunities, as well as lectures on recent developments in the field. In addition, UMW Galleries bring exciting exhibitions and events to campus while advancing the educational goals of the University through the collection, exhibition, and interpretation of works of art.

• Internships allow our students to gain valuable experience and career contacts by working in museums and art institutions not only in Fredericksburg, but in Washington, D.C., Richmond, and beyond.

• Many of our students have gone on for graduate study in Art History at major institutions and are now employed by museums, galleries, cultural centers, and universities. Others have gone into library science, law, art therapy, publishing, retail design, and business.

• Our alumni are generous supporters to our program and mentors to current majors.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• With an associate's degree and a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA, you may qualify for UMW's Guaranteed Admissions Agreement with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Richard Bland College. Additional details are available here: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/adult/our-commitment/guaranteed-admission...

• Each fall, UMW enrolls approximately 300 students from the Virginia Community College System and other schools inside and outside of Virginia.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org

Do More With Your Degree!

• Many students take advantage of on-campus internships and employment opportunities within our department and with UMW Galleries.

• Our students have an active student group that organizes activities, area museum visits, and more. Find out more by looking up "Art History Club" on Instagram.