Art History, BA

Uncover the rich stories behind art across cultures and centuries with Pace University’s bachelor's in art history. Engage with masterpieces from around the world while gaining hands-on experience at New York’s renowned museums and galleries. Through immersive learning, you’ll build the expertise needed for careers in museums, curation, or graduate studies, blending critical thinking with real-world practice.

Pace University art student in a gallery discussion the art on the walls.
Location

New York City

Number of Credits

120

Start Date

Fall, Spring

F1 Visa Eligible

Yes

STEM Designated Program

No

Explore Centuries of Creativity and Culture as an Art History Major

Pace University’s bachelor of arts in art history immerses students in the exploration of visual culture, examining how art reflects and shapes societies across the globe. The program integrates classroom learning with experiential education, leveraging New York City’s rich cultural landscape through visits to museums, galleries, and historical sites.

With courses in Western, Latin American, African, and Asian art, you’ll gain critical thinking and analytical skills essential to understanding art’s social and historical impact. The curriculum also offers cross-disciplinary options, giving you the flexibility to combine art history with majors or minors in digital design, history, or cultural studies.

Hands-on learning is central to the program. Through internships at world-renowned institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, and Museum of the Moving Image, you’ll gain industry experience and develop practical skills for careers as curators, archivists, or museum educators. At the Pace University Art Gallery, you'll work directly with student and professional artists to curate and promote exhibitions—bridging theory and practice in real-world settings.

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Curriculum

The Art History BA offers courses in the major periods of Western Art History, as well as Latin American Art History, African Art History, and Asian Art History. Making maximum use of the city's resources, classes regularly visit museums and galleries where works of art are examined and experienced firsthand.

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Internship Opportunities Await

Students in the Art History BA program have interned in leading art galleries and institutions, such as:


  • Bernarducci Meisel Gallery
  • Guggenheim Museum
  • Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Museum of the Moving Image
  • Neue Galerie
  • Rubin Museum
  • Yossi Milo Gallery

Careers

The Art Department offers career panels in art history every semester, exposing students to opportunities within the field; graduates of this program are prepared for a wide variety of careers, ranging from working in galleries, to museums, art fairs, auction houses, historical restoration, as well as advanced degrees of study.

As a Pace student, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with our robust career services team to develop a career plan that best fits your goals.

Our graduates are prepared for jobs like:

  • Archivist
  • Art teacher
  • Columnist/writer
  • Curator

Student Quote

Cameron Maruszewski, alumna at Pace University's Dyson College of Arts and Sciences.
My favorite part about being a Dyson student is getting to meet people from both the arts and the sciences, and seeing how those two disciplines coexist.

—Cameron Maruszewski '23

Featured Faculty

Professor Benton’s interests include medieval and Renaissance art history, iconography, fantastic fauna, and gargoyles humor. 

Professor’ Cunningham's interests include the curation of contemporary gallery exhibits and she is the founding director of the Art Gallery at Pace University. 

Professor Farber’s interests include northern European art of the Renaissance and Reformation. 

Admission and Financial Aid

Ready to take charge of your future? Pace is with you every step of the way, providing a world class education and the skills your industry will be looking for far into the future.

    • November 1: Early Decision
    • November 15: Early Action I
    • December 1: Early Action II
    • February 15: Regular Decision

    Explore required documents and admission decision dates for first-year, transfer, and international students.

  • Understanding the value of a degree is essential, especially in terms of return on investment (ROI). According to The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Pace University is in the top 6% of U.S. colleges that provide the best return on tuition investment.

    For the 2024–2025 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition is $51,382. However, many students pay significantly less due to our generous merit scholarships, which offer up to $33,000 annually, as well as need-based scholarships, grants, on-campus employment opportunities, and loans. Pace is more affordable than you think. Financial assistance can come from many places, including scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans.

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  • Connect with our dedicated admission counselors who are here to support you every step of the way. Schedule a one-on-one appointment to discuss your goals, application questions, and any other information you need to make an informed decision about your future at Pace.

Top 6%

Did You Know?

Pace is ranked in the top 6% nationally for return on investment (Source: The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce)

Contact Us

Admission Contact

Office of Undergraduate Admission
New York City: (212) 346-1323
Westchester: (914) 773-3746
Email: undergradadmission@pace.edu

Departmental Contact

Brenda McManus
Associate Professor, Chair
Phone: (212) 346-1107
Email: bmcmanus@pace.edu