Program Details
Art History-BA
Bachelor of ArtsOld Dominion University
The study of the history of art promotes visual and cultural literacy, critical and independent thinking, and advanced research and communication skills. ODU offers a BA in Art History, as well as a minor in Art History. The major and minor in Art History is designed to effectively function as a stand-alone major/minor, while also complementing other majors/minors within the Art Department, College of Arts and Letters and across the University. After a survey of world art from ancient to contemporary, students take a series of tiered courses in three broad periods of art? Ancient to Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern and Contemporary? that allows students to build their skills in research and writing. Advanced majors may take courses in their areas of interest, pursue internships at museums and other cultural venues, and conduct independent research with faculty advisors. The art history program of study culminates with the writing of an original senior thesis or capstone project.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
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Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Old Dominion University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of the University Core general education component of the ODU undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major.
With a completed transferrable Associate Degree from VCCS, students may enter ODU as a junior with lower division education requirements considered met as indicated in the pathway map. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | With a completed transferrable Associate Degree from VCCS, students may enter ODU as a junior with lower division education requirements considered met as indicated in the pathway map. Even if the Associate Degree was completed concurrently while completing their high school requirements. |
Credit for Prior Learning | The Office of Prior Learning exists to aid ODU students in translating their professional work knowledge into academic credit. Through the use of various mechanisms, we are able to offer students the opportunity to have their prior learning assessed and applied for academic credit. This path may save the students both time and money as they work toward their degree. If you have military experience, please use our course by course equivalency tool to see how your experiences will transfer. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | With transfer pathways to all majors with transferable associate degrees, plus 200+ guided pathways specific for applied associate degrees, Old Dominion University is the most transfer-friendly university in Virginia. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Guaranteed Admission (GAA) Submit a Letter of Intent to Transfer. Apply to ODU after completing 15 credit hours at a VCCS institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Apply to ODU for the term following the expected completion term of your associate degree. Follow application processes and deadline dates for special programs, i.e. nursing. https://www.odu.edu/transfer/guaranteed-admission |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Hollins University | BA in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: Art History Specialization, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: English Specialization, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Visual Art, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Glass) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Art History, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Art History, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Art (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Theater (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Studio Art (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Film (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Art History (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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13-2022.00 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
25-4011.00 | Archivists | Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-4012.00 | Curators | Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-4013.00 | Museum Technicians and Conservators | Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete
