Best Online Programs for Master’s Degrees in Art History

From primitive and prehistoric cave paintings to the enchanting Venus de Milo, an online art history master’s degree will reveal how art plays a crucial role in human history. Art is so much more than just simple paintings on canvas or mosaics on cathedral walls. 

Art is one of the most significant ways that cultures, people, and civilizations have communicated throughout millennia. Art and design are quintessentially human pursuits that attempt to explain different phenomena, emotional states, and expression. 

Art isn’t just painting; it encompasses aspects of daily life like architecture, decorations, advertising, and even computer programs and design. 

Best Online Art History Master’s Degree Programs

Art history is all about context. Who made that studio art and for whom? What effect does the time period have on a particular painting? By attending a fantastic online art history master’s degree program, you will know the ins and outs of art and art design.

You could also potentially explore a path toward a master of fine arts. Earning a master of fine arts could lend a lot of credence toward your artistic skills and knowledge. 

A few things influenced our school picks below, including price, quality of curriculum, and flexibility.

Azusa Pacific University

Students will need to complete 36 credits to earn the online art history master’s degree at Azusa Pacific University. The degree program mainly delves into modern and contemporary art. Those looking for careers at the Museum of Modern Art, take note. 

It’s a two-year program, students will take 12 courses, and all of the courses are asynchronous. Asynchronous schedules mean professors and students do not meet or join discussions at the same time. This is perfect for those with prior engagements and busier schedules. 

Azusa Pacific University’s online art history master’s degree is similar to a liberal arts degree. It aims to educate students not only in art and art history, but also in personal and academic enrichment. Students will complete the core courses offered and use their knowledge to better approach situations in life. 

By the end of the online program at Azusa Pacific University, students must exhibit proficiency in a foreign language. This foreign language should be related to the culture you are studying. Students also need to complete a research-based thesis to cap off the program.

Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University offers a comprehensive hybrid program for its online art history master’s degree program. Its art history degree consists of 36 credits and students explore nearly every time period of art history. 

Lindenwood University students will also take part in research-based projects to complete the online program. Students who are more focused on a particular career path can bypass the thesis entirely. They can instead plan out a potential career path to present to the university. 

To join the online art history master’s program, students have to put their art and art history to the test. Students have to take an exam based on a wide array of different arts and designs in cultures. 

Lindenwood University’s online art history master’s degree consistently ranks as one of the best online programs. You will almost always find Lindenwood University highly ranked in school search results.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Based in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers a unique art history master’s degree program in art production. 

This online program consists of 33 credits, allowing students to tackle the main aspects of modern art production. Students will immerse themselves in the contemporary art world, including handling ceramic, decorative arts, and manufacturing. 

After completing 27 credits online, students have to attend the school’s campus to present their final projects. The Northwestern State University of Louisiana aims to give students of the arts program a better feel for displaying their art and designs to the public.

Online Art History Master’s Degree Career Prospects

After completing one of the above online art history master’s degree programs, you will have some precious art and art history knowledge. With your master’s degree, you can easily find employment within the field and have a several roles to chose from. Many famous and storied art institutions around the world will notice your credentials.

Let’s look at some of the more prevalent careers an online art history master’s degree can lead to after graduation.

Archivists, Museum Curators, and Museum Workers

• Median Pay: $49,850 per year
• Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
• Job Growth: 9% (Faster than average)
• States with the Highest Employment Levels:
  • Museum Curators: New York, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas
  • Archivists: New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland, texas
  • Museum Technicians and Conservators: California, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, Illinois 
• Top Paying States: 
  • Museum Curators: Washington, D.C., New York, California, Massachusetts, Alaska
  • Archivists: California, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois 
  • Museum Technicians and Conservators: Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut

These are perhaps the most obvious choices upon graduation. Do you yearn to work at the illustrious Metropolitan Museum of Art? Or maybe you want to immerse yourself in modern art at the Museum of Modern Art. You could essentially have your pick of the litter upon graduating from any of the above online art history master’s degree programs. 

These individuals maintain, restore, and acquire pieces of art and art history for a display to the public. Archivists usually spend their time deep in the museum cataloging and organizing artwork. 

These careers appear through various internships and fieldwork, along with expertise in art and art history. They are often lumped in with one another because they are similar, yet also have their own unique duties. Notable jobs in these fields are abundant in New York and Washington D.C. due to their famous museums. The sheer volume of museums in those cities is staggering.

Art Historians

• Median Pay: $63,680 per year

• Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
• Job Growth: 6% (As fast as average)
• States with the Highest Employment Levels: New York, California, Utah, Washington, D.C., Texas
• Top Paying States: Washington, D.C., Alaska, California, Maryland, Hawaii. 

Historians have a masterful grasp of the past. Via their impressive university educations, they study, teach, and explore different facets of history. Since history never stops occurring, we will always need these individuals to study and record significant events for future generations.

It may not be a booming career path like others in technology, but historians find steady work at museums, historical societies, and libraries. Historians are the perfect candidates for becoming an instructor or professor.

Online Art History Master’s Degree Programs: Final Steps Toward a Great Career in Art and Art History

Many programs and schools don’t require applicants to hold a prior degree in art and art history. The three institutions listed above will equip you with useful and practical knowledge, better preparing you for a rewarding career as a museum curator, archivist, or historian.

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You don’t have to settle for staying in the same degree path as your bachelor’s degree. Earning an online art history master’s degree is a fantastic way to explore what you are interested in. It’s also a great way to modify your undergraduate degree.

Earning your online art history master’s degree opens up enriching opportunities to enhance knowledge of all human history and expression.