ARTH: B.A. in Art History

The Department of Art History and Archaeology offers a wide range of courses in the history, theory and criticism of the visual arts from prehistory through the contemporary world. Course offerings include the major areas of European, African and Asian art and archaeology as well as art and archaeology of the ancient Americas. Majors take three general survey courses, seven upper level specialized courses and one course in studio art. Art History and Archaeology majors typically pursue the MA or PhD degree and seek careers in academic teaching and research, museum curatorship, art conservation, the art and antiques market, etc., or may also combine their Art History and Archaeology degree with other areas of study (e.g. architecture and design, education, business). The Department also offers the MA and PhD degrees in Art History and Archaeology.

To earn a B.A. in Art History, students are required to complete all CORE, College of Arts and Humanities, and Department of Art History and Archaeology requirements. The College of Arts and Humanities has a dual advising system which means that you need to meet regularly with an advisor in the Office of Student Affairs (ARHU advisor) regarding your CORE and ARHU College requirements and with your departmental advisor for your major requirements. For more information about individual courses listed in the plan, you can consult the Course Catalog.

Please note: These sample templates presume that a student is full time and entered the major during the freshman year. All part-time students and students who have changed their major into the college, should consult with their advisors to determine how to develop an individualized plan.

For college advising, please contact: Office of Student Affairs
1120 Francis Scott Key Hall
301-405-2108

For departmental advising, please contact: Department of Art History and Archaeology
Advisor: Renee Ater - rater@umd.edu
Phone: 301-405-1487
Office: 1211B Art/Sociology Building

What can I do with my major?

Download an editable (RTF) or plain text version of this plan.

You should also download and print the ARHU Advising Worksheet (MS Word format) before meeting with your advisor.

Year 1

Semester 1

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • MATH 110/111/113/115/140/220/STAT 100
  • ENGL 101 (A/H/U/S or X)
  • UNIV 100 or 101
  • Language Requirement (#1)
  • ARTH 2xx (also CORE HA)

Semester 2

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. Lab - LL or PL)
  • CORE (e.g. SH or SB)
  • CORE (e.g. HL)
  • Language Requirement (#2)
  • ARTH 2xx (also CORE HO)
First year benchmark (or 30 credits):
  • CORE: Fundamental English and Math requirements
  • MAJOR: ARTH2xx

Year 2

Semester 3

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. Non Lab – LS/PS/MS)
  • CORE (e.g. SH or second SB)
  • Language Requirement (#3)
  • ARTT 100 or 110
  • ARTH 2xx (also CORE Diversity)

Semester 4

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. Non Lab – LS/PS)
  • CORE (e.g. SH or second SB)
  • ARTH 3xx-4xx
  • ARTH 3xx-4xx
  • Elective (1xx-4xx) or Supporting area prerequisite
Second year benchmark (or 60 credits):
  • CORE: 7 of 9 Distributive Studies courses;
  • ARHU: At least 50% of the foreign language sequence completed.
  • MAJOR: 3 ARTH2xx courses

Year 3

Semester 5

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE Advanced Studies (#1)
  • CORE Professional Writing (ENGL 391/392/393/394/395)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx) or supporting course prerequisite
  • ARTH 3xx-4xx
  • ARTH 3xx-4xx

Semester 6

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE Advanced Studies (#2)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • ARTH 3xx-4xx
  • Supporting Area 3xx-4xx
Third year benchmark (or 90 credits):
  • CORE: Distributive Studies Completed.
  • ARHU: Intermediate level language requirement, 24 of the required 45 upper level credits (~50%). (Upper level courses needed to fulfill major requirements as well as upper level CORE requirements are included in the 45 upper level requirement).
  • MAJOR: 4 ARTH3xx-4xx courses; ARTT100 or 110

Year 4

Semester 7

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • ARTH 3xx-4xx
  • Supporting Area 3xx-4xx

Semester 8

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • Elective 1xx-4xx
  • Elective 1xx-4xx
  • Supporting Area 3xx-4xx
  • Supporting Area 3xx-4xx
  • ARTH 3xx-4xx