University of Mary Washington

Majors, Minors, and Programs

Just an hour from Washington, D.C., UMW is a small school with growing diversity and passionate master teachers. Our liberal arts and sciences curriculum – with more than 60 majors, minors, and courses of study – will challenge your mind and let you explore.

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Art History

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Drawn to how people have depicted beauty throughout history? Need to know more of the story behind it? Major in art history at the University of Mary Washington and you’ll explore humanity through artistic wonders, from prehistoric cave paintings to the works of Warhol. You’ll investigate styles, periods, and movements of Western art; masters and masterpieces of Italy, Egypt, and beyond; and the rich resources of  Washington, Richmond, Baltimore, and New York.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in Art History who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art History.

Areas of Study

Course offerings include History of Western Art, Topics in Non-Western & Non-Eurocentric Art, Egyptian and Near Eastern Art and Archaeology, Greek Art, Roman Art, Art Museum Studies, Romanesque & Gothic Art, High Renaissance & Mannerism, Post-Impressionism to Abstract, American Art, and Pop Art to the Present.

Career Opportunities

With a background in the artistic masters and movements, UMW grads have created careers at such organizations as the American Association of Museums, Brooklyn Museum, Corcoran College of Art & Design, Delaware Art Museum, Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Internships

Students gain valuable experience and career contacts through internships with prestigious museums and art institutions in Fredericksburg, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.

I wouldn’t trade my experience at UMW for anything. Majoring in art history at Mary Washington was one of the best decisions I’ve made since it was a stepping stone to where I am today. I continue to rely on the courses I took and skills I acquired (especially writing!). I strongly believe majoring in art history made me a more competitive candidate for graduate school, since I bring a different background to the table.
– Jennifer Davis Bangoura, Project Coordinator, World Resources Institute

Honors

To receive honors in art history, students must have a 3.25 grade-point average overall and a 3.5 GPA in the major, demonstrate excellence in upper-level courses in the major, and  present an individual study research paper to the art history faculty.

Requirements

The art history major requires 39 credits, including nine credits from required courses; 15 credits from courses covering the major artistic eras from ancient through modern times;  three seminar credits; and 12 art history elective credits.

Scholarships

Learn more about art scholarships at the University of Mary Washington.

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Special Majors

Students also have the option to design a special major that combines courses from two or more academic disciplines into a coherent plan of study. Special majors are developed with a faculty advisor and approved by a curriculum committee. Examples of some of the special majors UMW students have developed are journalism, digital media studies, Italian studies, linguistics, biochemistry, communication, arts management, and Latin American studies.

Honors Program

The undergraduate Honors Program offers advanced students the opportunity to engage in rigorous honors designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, strong internship experiences, extended research and creative projects, and community service as part of a supportive community of learners.

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