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Eastern Illinois University

Art History

Study art across cultures and centuries while learning how museums, galleries and scholars interpret the objects people create. EIU pairs a flexible art history degree with close faculty guidance, global perspectives and direct access to the accredited Tarble Museum of Art.

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Art History

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Degree Level
Bachelor of Arts
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
8 Semesters
Credit Hours
120 Total, 54 in Major
Careers
Archivists, Curators, Technicians, Conservators
Art History students at EIU

Why Study Art History at EIU?

  • Study a wide range of art periods and world cultures rather than viewing art through a single tradition.
  • Learn in small classes where faculty can guide your research, writing and professional interests.
  • Build a flexible B.A. that leaves room for a minor, second major or complementary area of study.
  • Connect classroom learning with the collections, exhibitions and professionals of the on-campus Tarble Museum of Art.
  • Prepare for museum, gallery, education, preservation, research and arts-administration paths through strong analytical and communication skills.
"EIU is close to home and has lots of opportunities in the art department that have given me experience in a variety of studio classes, and has engaging classes for my chosen major. I have grown so much here in my three years. EIU has provided me access to amazing peers and professors who influence my education every day."
Maya Walter
Art History | Class of 2025
Maya Walter, Art History at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Visit museums, galleries and cultural sites through field trips and the annual School of Art + Design trip.
  • Engage regularly with exhibitions and collections at the Tarble Museum of Art.
  • Explore study abroad options that place art and architecture in their cultural settings.
  • Develop curatorial, archival and critical perspectives through advanced coursework and research projects.
  • Participate in exhibitions, lectures, student organizations and collaborative arts programming across campus.
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Art History students at EIU

What You'll Learn

Art history is for curious students who want to understand what art reveals about people, ideas and cultures. At EIU, you will study works from the ancient world through contemporary art, with courses that may explore African, Asian, American, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, modern and graphic design history.

View in Catalog
$39,923
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Archivists
  • Curators
  • Museum Technicians & Conservators
  • Appraisers of Personal & Business…
  • Art, Drama, & Music Teachers,…

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)Job Zone 5: Extensive preparationMost of these careers require graduate school, and many also call for more than five years of experience.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit ConventionalConventional interest typeYou like order and detail. This work involves organizing information or data by following set procedures and rules, usually in an office.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Connect With Us

Chris Kahler
Chair, Art + Design | Interim Director, Tarble Museum of Art
cbkahler@eiu.edu
2670 Doudna Fine Arts Center
217-000-0000
Chris Kahler Message Chris

Message Chris

or email cbkahler@eiu.edu directly
Michael Cornebise
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences & Professor, Geography
mwcornebise@eiu.edu
2214
217-581-7486
Michael Cornebise Message Michael

Message Michael

or email mwcornebise@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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