Program Overview

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Art History, B.A.

Art History, B.A. (Madrid)

Overview

Saint Louis University’s undergraduate program in art history teaches students the essential skills of critical analysis, research, and communication by examining the social context in which art has historically — and continues to be — created. SLU's art history faculty members offer a broad field of study that ranges from the earliest civilizations, the Western canon of art, and the art of world cultures to the beginnings of modernity and the most current movements in contemporary art.

Curriculum Overview

A Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Saint Louis University gives students an in-depth study of the art world. A curriculum that covers a wide range of art allows students to delve deeper into their specific periods of interest. The art history major and minor are offered at Saint Louis University and Saint Louis University-Madrid.

Each student receives a strong, balanced foundation in studying global traditions in art history through a series of core courses. Faculty have fashioned this curriculum to develop essential art historical methodologies such as critical analysis, social history, and semiotics.

To earn a B.A. in art history at SLU, students must complete 37 credits of required coursework. Eighteen of the 37 credits must be from 3000- and 4000-level courses.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

SLU's art history students are not limited to the classroom. They take advantage of the active arts community at the University and in the surrounding St. Louis area. In addition to the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, resources such as the historic Samuel Cupples House and Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art are located on the SLU campus, offering students a hands-on chance to experience the artists and periods they discover in the classroom. The Saint Louis Art Museum and numerous other galleries are all within a five-mile radius of campus. Grand Center, the cultural hub of St. Louis, which includes the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, and the Sheldon Art Galleries, is within walking distance.

The benefits of SLU's art history program also include several unique internship and career opportunities, both in the St. Louis region and nationally. On campus, the Cupples House and the SLU Museum of Art regularly hire interns. The Missouri Historical Society and the Saint Louis Art Museum are just two of many local institutions that work with students. SLU students have also held internships in Washington, D.C., at the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian. Additionally, research opportunities exist at major libraries and archives.

Scholarships are offered each year to new and continuing students administered by the art history program.

Careers

Many SLU graduates work in art-related institutions such as galleries, auction houses, and museums, as well as in marketing, advertising, law, journalism, and other fields that require an understanding of the visually based culture and the ability to express intelligent, well-researched opinions. Others have continued their studies in internationally recognized graduate programs. All have developed critical thinking and communication skills that aid them in pursuing the career of their choice.

Admission Requirements

• All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
• To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.

Tuition

• Undergraduate Tuition: $56,960
• Additional charges may apply.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership, and financial need.
• Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Program Requirements

• Art history students must complete a minimum total of 37 credits for the major. Eighteen of the 37 credits must be from the 3000 and 4000 level courses.
• Course List:
  • University Undergraduate Core: 32-35
  • Major Requirements:
    • Introductory Courses:
      • ARTH 1010: Art and its Histories
    • Professional Preparation:
      • ARTH 2000: Art History Seminar
    • Research Course:
      • ARTH 4900: Research Methods
    • Global Arts:
      • Select one course (3 credits) with the 'Art History - Global Arts' attribute.
    • Studio Art Elective:
      • ART 2000-level: Studio elective
    • Major Electives:
      • Select 21 credits from the following two categories:
        • Select a minimum of 9 credits with the 'Art produced BEFORE 1800' attribute.
        • Select a minimum of 9 credits with the 'Art produced AFTER 1800' attribute.
    • Internship or 3000/4000-level Elective:
      • Select one of the following:
        • ARTH 4910: Internship
        • ARTH 3000/4000 Elective
    • General Electives: 48-51
    • Total Credits: 120

AP and Transfer Policies

• No more than 18 credits of transfer credit may be applied to fulfill specific courses or elective courses towards the completion of the 37 credits required for the major in art history.
• Advanced Placement credit, with a score of 4 or 5, will take the place of 3 credits for the Introductory course ARTH 1010 Art and its Histories (3 cr)

Continuation Standards

• Students must have a minimum of a 2.00 average GPA in their major-related courses. Students who fall below a 2.00 average in major-related courses will be placed on probation. If the student fails to obtain at least a 2.00 average GPA in major-related courses after two consecutive semesters on probation the student will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
• Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
• Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmap

• Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

SLU-Madrid

• Art history allows you to examine the significance of art across cultures and throughout history, keeping a critical eye on the contexts in which it was created. As a student of art history at SLU-Madrid, you will explore the cultural, historical, and social contexts of art, which help us interpret the world around us. Through close examination of prominent periods and creators, you'll develop the skills — critical analysis, research, and communication — necessary for success in careers in the arts and other professional fields.

Faculty

• The faculty at Saint Louis University-Madrid are experts in their respective fields. They are internationally recognized teachers, researchers, and mentors.

Fieldwork, Internships, and Careers

• Our courses enrich your experience in Europe, allowing you to appreciate the art and architecture you see during your travels. We also organize visits to private collections that are inaccessible to the general public. The size of our program allows us close contact and mentorship with our students, as well as internship opportunities in museums both in Spain and the United States.

Admission

• SLU-Madrid Application
• Application Deadlines:
  • May 1 - Fall admission (Aug. 1 for EU students)
  • Sept. 1 - Spring admission (Dec. 1 for EU students)
  • March 1 - Summer sessions (for applicants who require a student visa)
  • April 15 - Summer sessions (for applicants who do not require a student visa)

Tuition and Fees

• SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership, and financial need.
• Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

2+SLU Programs

• 2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.
• Art History, B.A. (STLCC 2+SLU)

Next Steps

• Ready to take the next step? Learn more about how to apply, transfer, or study abroad at Saint Louis University’s Madrid campus.