Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art History
- San Francisco, USA
- Online
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
8 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 1,463 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
The School of Art History's BFA program blends academic inquiry and practice with one of the most extensive studio art and design programs in the world. Merging the classical tradition of studying western art with the skills and practice of a fine art education, our students gain the unique perspective and ability to discuss broad themes around history's most enduring and inspiring works of art.
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Art Historical Knowledge
- Demonstrate proficient knowledge of art historical issues through a final written thesis.
- Intelligently discuss art and architecture from the major Western traditions and the artists that produced them
- Analyze the stylistic characteristics of Western art and architecture using appropriate terminology
- Analyze the social, political, historical, and religious contexts of Western art and architecture
Art and Design Skills
- Create a portfolio of work within a specialized discipline of fine art (Painting and Printmaking or Sculpture)
- Demonstrate basic command of color, drawing, and compositional choices within their specialty area
Research and Analysis
- Research and persuasively analyze an art historical issue and/or theoretical position
- Apply theoretical and methodological approaches to the interpretation of Western art and architecture
Communication Skills
- Clearly express their ideas through reflective writing and research presentations
- Speak, read and write on a basic level in a foreign (European) language
Professional Readiness
- Conduct research, write effectively, and synthesize acquired knowledge in art history as well as fine art contexts.
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Academy of Art University offers some of the best training and guidance to help students accelerate toward their chosen art history careers. We pride ourselves in doing an exceptional job preparing you to excel as a professional art historian. Our degree programs are designed to give graduates a comprehensive toolbox of marketable skills that lead to success in the field.
Appraiser
As an art appraiser, you'll work in an auction house appraising a variant of art pieces to help collectors and galleries grow their collections. With your knowledge of historical and artistic significance, you'll set the pace for the art world and its value in the cultural landscape.
Corporate Consultant
As a corporate art consultant, you'll work with private corporations as an art buyer, assessor, and art investor to assess potential additions to the collection. Understanding works of art as both a financial investment and as part of a growing collection, you'll create a portfolio of art that speaks to a specific message.
Curator
As a museum or gallery curator, you'll work as the content specialist in charge of the institution's collection. Interpret the material, organize its exhibition, and provide historical context through materials, catalogs, and labels.
Instructor
As an art history teacher, you'll teach a variety of topics including everything from survey courses to focused seminars at the high school or university level.
Researcher
As an art researcher, you'll work in a publishing house, museum, gallery, or institution studying and compiling information on a specific subject to be used in publications, presentations, or exhibitions.
Writer/Reviewer
As an art writer/reviewer, you'll work in a publishing house reading and reviewing art-related materials. Working in teams, you'll fact-check, revise, and edit everything from articles to books.
Unit Requirements
| Major | 9 |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts | 36 |
| Major Elective | 9 |
| Elective | 6 |
| Studio | 33 |
| Core | 27 |
| Total | 120 |
Degree Requirements
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, studio coursework, LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or LA 108 Composition for the Artist, and LA 202 English Composition: Creative Persuasion & Argument or LA 207 Persuasion & Argument for the Multilingual Writer.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Expository Writing
- 1 European Foreign Language - Level 1
- 1 European Foreign Language - Level 2
- 1 European Foreign Language - Level 3
- 1 European Foreign Language - Level 4
- 1 Western Civilization
- 1 Quantitative Literacy
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Curriculum
Semester 1
- AHS 114: Traditional Materials, Tools, & Techniques in Art (Studio)
- AHS 116: Looking at Art and Design (Core)
- LA 108: Composition for the Artist (Liberal Arts)
- LA 218: Blogging: Content Creation & Promotion (Liberal Arts)
Semester 2
- AHS 120: Art History Through the 15th Century (Core)
- FA 143: Silkscreen 1 (Studio)
Recommended for summer - FA 145: Printmaking (Studio)
- FND 110A: Analysis of Form A (Studio)
- FND 110B: Analysis of Form B (Studio)
Recommended for summer - LA 202: English Composition: Creative Persuasion & Argument (Liberal Arts)
Semester 3
- AHS 121: Art History Through the 19th Century (Core)
- FND 112: Figure Drawing (Studio)
- FND 131: Figure Modeling (Studio)
- LA 171: Western Civilization (Liberal Arts)
Semester 4
- AHS 222: 20th Century Art for Art History Majors (Core)
- FA 110: Still Life Painting 1 (Studio)
Recommended for summer - FA 241: Book Arts (Studio)
- FND 125: Color and Design (Studio)
- LA 260: French 1: Basic Grammar & Speech (Liberal Arts)
- LA 291: Designing Careers (Liberal Arts)
Recommended for summer
Semester 5
- AHS 327: Art of the Classical World (Core)
- FASCU 130: Sculpture 1 (Studio)
- LA 124: Physics for Artists: Light, Sound, and Motion (Liberal Arts)
- LA 262: French 2: Conversational French (Liberal Arts)
Semester 6
- FA 493A: Painting Study Abroad, Florence Italy (Elective)
Recommended for summer - LA 274: Study Abroad: Art & Architecture of Renaissance Florence (Major Elective)
Recommended for summer - LA 307: History of Aesthetics (Core)
- LA 326: Topics in World Art (Core)
- LA 333: Art of the Middle Ages (Core)
- LA 392: French 3: Reading & Writing (Liberal Arts)
Semester 7
- LA 420: Art of the Italian Renaissance (Major Elective)
- LA 421: Northern Renaissance Art (Major)
- LA 422: Italian Baroque Art (Major)
- LA 492: French 4: Proficiency (Liberal Arts)
Semester 8
- AHS 466: Art History Senior Thesis (Core)
- FA 493A: Painting Study Abroad, Florence Italy (Elective)
Recommended for summer - LA 104: Respect for Acting (Liberal Arts)
Recommended for summer - LA 319: History of Architecture: Modernity (Major Elective)
- LA 423: Art of the Dutch Golden Age (Major)
- LA 462: Power of Myth and Symbol (Liberal Arts)