Art history is the study of art and architecture, both as expressions of human creativity and as uniquely informative historical documents to promote an understanding of its cultural and social value. Students in the art history program at SIUE:
Gain an understanding of broad historical traditions in the visual arts and specialized knowledge in one or more areas of art history
Learn to think critically and reason logically in written and verbal analysis of the visual arts
The art history curriculum at SIUE is designed such that students gain an understanding of broad historical traditions in the visual arts as well as specialized knowledge in one or more specific areas in the field of art history. Our students are challenged to think critically and reason logically in written and verbal analysis of the visual arts. Three of our faculty members are art historians who offer courses on a broad range of topics from prehistoric to contemporary art at both the introductory and advanced levels. Art history courses are taught in two smart classrooms, housed in the recently built Art and Design West building. Students also have access to the art history resource room, which provides a variety of supporting research materials, including videos, books, magazines and a digitized image database.
What can I do with a degree in art history?
Students specializing in art history at SIUE are prepared for a wide variety of careers, including:
Museums
Art galleries
Cultural institutions
Academia
Our students are also well prepared to pursue graduate school. Recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees at Washington University in St. Louis; University of Illinois, Springfield; and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Art history students have gained employment at area institutions such as the Pulitzer, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Many of our graduates also pursue a certificate in museum studies at SIUE, which is an interdisciplinary post-baccalaureate certificate that offers students with an interest in exploring a museum career an opportunity to gain expertise that will aid in their career advancement.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
Expected April, October 2025
Start date
January 2025
College of Arts and Sciences
Peck Hall, Room 3409,
EDWARDSVILLE,
Illinois,
62026, United States
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree from SIUE who have never attended a college or university, and those who may have taken some coursework at a college or university outside the U.S. but do not currently hold a bachelor’s degree.
English proficiency requirement:
TOEFL: 72
IELTS: 6.0 (no component score under 5.5)
PTE: 50
Duolingo: 110
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a nationally recognized, public institution offering high-quality, affordable education programs.