Our accelerated dual-degree program allows advanced undergraduate art history majors to simultaneously pursue bachelor's and master's degrees. During their junior year, students can apply for one of the limited spaces in this competitive program under the guidance of their Art History Advisor. You'll develop a deep and refined understanding of how art shapes and reflects cultures on individual and societal levels. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with faculty, curators and visiting artists as you explore historical periods and cultures. The program culminates in a master's level research project.
Upon program completion, students can pursue further graduate studies or work in fields such as education, curation, publishing and more. An optional concentration in Museum Studies opens up further employment options in museums and galleries.
Annual Art History Student Symposium
About this Course
The Student Art History Symposium takes place every spring. Eight to ten students are selected to present their research papers to an audience of peers and faculty. Past research has been on topics such as abstract expressionism, Southeast Alaskan art collecting and Mayan ceramics.
This event serves as an opportunity to have your work recognized and critiqued by a wider audience. Each year, two students are chosen to represent the department at the annual regional symposium at the Denver Art Museum.
Why Study Art History at DU?
Our dual-degree program allows advanced undergraduate art history majors to pursue BA and MA degrees simultaneously.
We provide local and national internships, enabling students to gain the experience needed to secure employment after graduation.
Our official partnerships with the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum and Western Center for the Conservation of Fine Arts give students opportunities for hands-on experiences that supplement their classroom learning.
We introduce students to internationally renowned visiting artists, curators and scholars to expand their professional network.
Degree Requirements
- For the dual-degree program, you will need to complete both the undergraduate and graduate level requirements for art history, which total 227 credits minimum.
- You will need 171 credits at the undergraduate level. The undergraduate credit reduction with a dual degree is 12 credits from the original 183 required for undergraduates.
- You will need 56 credits at the graduate level, with no credit reduction.
See the DU Dual-Degree Bulletin for full program requirements.
Featured Faculty
Gwen Chanzit
Director of Museum Studies and Full Professor of the Practice, Museum Studies/Art History, School of Art and Art History; Curator of Modern Art and the Herbert Bayer Collection and Archive, Denver Art Museum
Annabeth Headrick
Associate Professor, Mesoamerican, Native North American and Andean Art; Graduate Art History Advisor
Scott Montgomery
Associate Professor, Medieval and Renaissance Art; Undergraduate Art History Advisor
Bilha Moor
Assistant Professor, Islamic Art History
Featured Courses
ARTH 3850
Art and the History of Science
About this Course
This class explores the connections between art and the history of science, using a broad span of visual material, mainly European art from the Middle Ages to the present. Coverage of the material is thematic, focusing on three major categories: Art and the Natural World; Art and the Human Body; and Art and the Human Mind. We read a wide variety of art historical articles and selected chapters that examine works of art related in the first section to astrology, astronomy and alchemy; botanical, zoological and geological illustration; and color theory, perspective, optics, maps, contemporary earthworks and ecology. In the second section, we explore the evolution of anatomic illustration, as well as mythic, religious and genre images related to medicine, pharmacy and healing as well as works by contemporary artists who are concerned with genetic codes, hybridization and cloning. In the third section, we examine depictions of human temperaments, emotions and madness through the images of selected artists.
ARTH 3656
Curatorial Practicum
About this Course
Students will work in curatorial teams to plan and execute an effective exhibition of contemporary art. This process may include choosing a theme and selecting works of art, researching artists and themes, budgets, scheduling, developing an exhibition checklist, modeling the gallery, visual exhibition design, conservation and collections management factors, shipping, installation, educational outreach to the public, publicity and other issues related to exhibition planning.
ARTH 4301
Seminar in Art History Methods
About this Course
This seminar considers the history of art history and the development of various methods that art historians use to interpret and understand art. Required of all MA candidates in art history.
Accelerate your path toward the study of art history.
Immerse yourself in a select journey of art historical knowledge and practice.
