UMass Boston

students listen to speaker in the campus art gallery.
Art History Minor

Hone Your Knowledge & Understanding of Art History.

A minor in art history can complement a wide range of majors by providing you with a deeper appreciation of visual culture and boosting your analytical skills. UMass Boston’s Art History Minor program offers an array of courses in the history of Western and East Asian art and architecture. You’ll acquire the skills you need to understand visual culture in its historical context.

Take this program if you want to fine-tune your critical thinking and analysis skills. After you complete it, you’ll be prepared to evaluate and interpret works of art from a variety of cultural, historical, and theoretical perspectives.

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Declare or change your minor by completing an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Two Survey Courses (6 Credits)

Take two courses from the list below.

  • ART 101 - Ancient and Medieval Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 102 - Renaissance to Modern Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 104L - Introduction to East Asian Art 3 Credit(s)

Electives (12 Credits)

Take four art history elective courses from the list below. At least two must be 300-level or higher. Find all art courses here.

  • ART 100 - The Language of Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 102 - Renaissance to Modern Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 104L - Introduction to East Asian Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 210 through 270
  • ART 300 through 436

Take one additional elective, either an additional art history course from the list above or one studio art course from the list below:

  • ART 208 - Introduction to Contemporary Practices in Fiber Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 220 - Introduction to Graphic Design 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 281 through 297
  • ART 381 through 397
  • ART 481 - Studio Art Capstone 3 Credit(s)

Please note: Independent study (ART 478 and ART 479), fieldwork/internship (ART 488 and ART 489), and honors projects (ART 491 and ART 492) cannot be applied to the elective requirement.

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Completion Requirements

Complete at least 18 credits from six courses including two survey courses and four electives.

Pass/fail: No courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least four of the six courses for the minor, including two at the 300 level, must be taken at UMass Boston.

Contact

Art & Art History Department
artdept [@] umb.edu

Art student painting.

Art & Art History Department

The Art & Art History Department offers an array of courses in the history of Western and East Asian art and architecture, as well as studio courses in video, digital imaging, graphic design, sculpture, fiber, printmaking, photography, and painting.

Explore the Department of Art & Art History
Students rehearse orchestra playing flutes.

College of Liberal Arts

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Liberal Arts.

Explore College of Liberal Arts

Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions