The Best 15 Masters of Art History Programs in 2024

Students who complete a master’s degree at the Maine College of Art can select from three different tracks that prepare them to work in the field of art history. There is a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has a master of fine arts program that is an interdisciplinary, two-year program. That means that students can pursue more historical knowledge if they prefer to study art history. The curriculum is designed to help students improve their understanding of art while being able to discuss and write about it.

At Norwich University, students can obtain a Master of Arts in History that is accredited by the New England Commission of higher education. There are four start dates available, and students can choose to take the program completely online. Students can graduate in as few as 18 months.

Getting an art history master’s degree at Azusa Pacific University is possible as a part-time or full-time student. The program contains 36 credit hours and has accelerated eight-week terms. Students are able to complete this program in as few as 17 months

Students at Fort Hays State University can get an MLS with a concentration in Art History. Graduates of the program can pursue further graduate study or go on to become instructors in the discipline, art critics, museum curators, and gallery managers. A total of 31 credit hours are required: 10 in MLS Core Courses, 18 in Concentration, and 3 in Culminating Experience.

Lindenwood University offers a one- or two-year program that results in a Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture degree. The program was created for working professionals, so there are flexible course options and blended online or fully online course options.

Radford University offers a Master of Fine Art in Studio Art as well as other master’s degrees in the field. Students who enter this degree program can expect to have their own exhibitions and must hold a 2.75 overall GPA to get the master’s degree. The program is held over the course of two years.

At the San Francisco Art Institute, there is a degree in the history and theory of contemporary art. 36 units are required in total, and students will focus on thesis research, writing, seeking employment and internships and pursuing independent projects.

MA students at Bard College can receive a degree in Decorative Arts, Design History, and Material Culture. Students complete the program over two years while working on a year-long course that closely studies decorative arts, design history, and material culture. The second-year is widely spent on electives.

The University of Nebraska-Kearney offers a history master of arts. Is it is offered online or on-campus to make it flexible for students. The program includes a non-thesis, public history, or thesis option. The curriculum is made up of 36 credit hours.

The Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art prepares students to work in museums, the academy, and associated fields. This program has a two-year curriculum, and it also has internships, workshops, independent research and more.

Located in Savannah, Georgia, the Savannah College of Art and Design offers a Master’s Degree in Art History. The program claims to have the largest art history faculty in America, which means that students have many different professors to learn from. Students from the program have gone on to work in the Corcoran Gallery, Smithsonian and with other major employers. The program consists of 45 credit hours.

The MA program in art history at the University of Pennsylvania prepares students to go on to work in auction houses, galleries, museums and other artistic ventures. There is a Ph.D. program as well, so students can move forward with it following this program.