Bachelor of Arts in Art History

Catalog Year 2025-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for ART HISTORY

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• This degree program is covered by VCU’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement.

• By meeting the following criteria, you are guaranteed admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Art History program at VCU:

• Earn a transfer associate degree.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 for your associate degree. VCU will recognize the cumulative GPA as recorded on the VCCS transcript and not recalculate based on multiple course attempts.

• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at VCCS institution.

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

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

• Admission Application: By March 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/.

• Financial Aid: https://semss.vcu.edu/our-services/financial-resources-and-guidance/.

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 1 for fall semester at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

• Letter of Interest form: https://ugradadmissions.vcu.edu/register/letterofinterest.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Complete your English courses and start your math sequence in your first year.

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

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and the VCU Transfer Center (https://transfer.vcu.edu/) in your first semester.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The B.A. in Art History is a liberal arts program composed of an academic course of study exposing the student to the scholarship, theoretical perspectives and research methods of not only the history of art, but related disciplines in the humanities. Courses focus on cultures, historical periods and regions. The program also includes possibilities for directed research projects as well as museum internships. This curriculum provides students the best possible background for future graduate work in art history.

• Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Students will demonstrate a command of art historical terminology and the ability to identify key works of art in relationship to historical contexts. Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct rigorous research and write papers that incorporate visual analysis and current scholarship in the interpretation of artworks. Students will demonstrate the ability to read critically and apply art historical research methods used in research papers. Students will demonstrate the ability to interpret works of art in relationship to the historical, cultural and/or geographical contexts in which they were made.

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

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of a transfer associate degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met when you transfer to VCU.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an associate degree concurrent with high school results in 60 credits of coursework applied towards your degree and VCU’s general education courses will be satisfied. High school students must apply to VCU as freshman applicants for orientation and engagement purposes.

• Credit for Prior Learning: VCU accepts AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP, DANTES, and military credits.

• Catalog Year: VCU will honor the degree requirements of the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin in effect at the time of the student’s first post-high school enrollment into an appropriate associate degree at the two-year institution. Students must stay enrolled at their community college and take no more than four years to complete their associate degree. Students must also enroll at VCU within one year of completing their associate degree.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located in downtown Richmond, within two hours of the beach, the mountains and Washington DC, VCU provides top-ranked academic programs, research opportunities and an urban setting so students can live and learn in the real world.

• VCU is a large, public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of students and the Richmond community.

• Diversity, inclusion and equity are deeply ingrained core values at VCU. If you are looking to connect with a broad range of people, come join us!

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

Did You Know That…

• Completing your associate transfer degree satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the likelihood you will complete your bachelor’s degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college could exhaust your financial aid there and reduce your future financial aid at VCU?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

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

Program Successes & Highlights

• VCU Art History majors and minors find that studying abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences available to them. In recent years, students have traveled to Egypt, Spain, Peru, Italy, Nepal, UK, France, and Germany. Art History majors also get an insider perspective on the multifaceted concerns, distinctive needs, and diverse interests of arts and cultural institutions through internships. They polish marketable skills such as an ability to work collaboratively and the practical necessity to write and communicate clearly to a range of audiences.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• If you apply through general application instead of through the Guaranteed Admission Agreement, you will be considered for admission with all other transfer applicants.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• The accelerated B.A. and M.A. programs allows academically talented students to earn both the B.A. and M.A. in Art History in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. The accelerated program may be undertaken in either concentration. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.A. and M.A. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• All students must complete at least one VCU “REAL” experiential learning activity in order to graduate from VCU. Examples of REAL activities include: internships, research, and service learning. This requirement may be satisfied by completing a 300-level (or higher) REAL course or through an approved REAL co-curricular experience.

• Learn more at https://real.vcu.edu/.