Art History, B.A.

Bachelor of Arts
College of the Arts, School of Art and Design
(470) 578-6139

The Art History major introduces students to visual culture from a range of periods, regions, and contexts, and it teaches them how to analyze both objects and texts as historical evidence. It trains students to examine all aspects of visual culture in society, including its techniques, makers, patrons, viewers, and collectors. The program is rigorous, global, and interdisciplinary: students explore art history and its theoretical methods, and they take courses in related disciplines such as anthropology, film studies, gender and women’s studies, history, literature, philosophy, and studio art. Students also study at least one ancient or modern language that is associated with their main area of interest. Throughout their programs, they learn how to do independent research, to construct effective arguments, and to produce well-written prose. Alumni have found the curriculum to be especially helpful preparation for work in museums, galleries, and graduate school. And because it improves marketable skills in critical thinking and communication, art history is not just a pre-professional major for future art historians. It is an effective major for students who plan to enter a variety of careers, including those in business, law, private and non-profit organizations, professional writing, and publishing.

School of Art and Design Admittance Requirements

Each program of study is a sequentially based curriculum beginning the first semester of the freshman year. Students who delay entering the major until completion of the General Education Core Curriculum may prolong their academic careers. Entrance Portfolio Study in visual arts studio courses may not be initiated until the student has been fully accepted by Kennesaw State University and the School of Art and Design as an art major or art interest major. All prospective art majors are required to complete an application form and submit a portfolio of their artwork.

Admission to degree programs in the School of Art and Design is contingent upon portfolio review and acceptance by the department. Portfolio submission and review must take place before a student can proceed beyond ART 1100 and ART 1150. See the School of Art and Design admission application, portfolio content requirements and portfolio review deadline dates on the KSU School of Art and Design website, www.kennesaw.edu/visual_arts. Applications and portfolios are sent to the College of the Arts Admissions and Enrollment Office.

Direct any additional questions about admission requirements to this office by calling 470-578-6614. Students who do not have portfolios or students whose portfolios are not accepted can begin their art studies as an art interest student. They may take introductory art courses based on available space and resubmit their portfolios for review. Transfer Admission Students who wish to transfer into the School of Art and Design from another institution follow the same admissions procedure as all new students. Transfer credit for courses in studio art is evaluated by portfolio review. Students enrolling at KSU for a second degree in art must also apply and submit a portfolio for review.

Program Requirements 

BFA Concentration Review 

Portfolio Students must be admitted by an upper-level second portfolio review to a BFA concentration area. Students are admitted to a BFA concentration based on available concentration openings and the quality of the student’s submitted portfolio work. Refer to the department website and contact your concentration advisor for specific portfolio requirements and deadlines. 

Change of Concentration 

Students who wish to change their studio concentrations must resubmit a portfolio to the desired area of concentration and be accepted by that concentration area. 

Dual Concentrations 

Students electing a second concentration may use the Level I course of the second concentration as part of the distribution requirements. The other necessary courses in the second concentration may be placed as art electives in applicable cases for the first concentration. A second concentration may in some cases extend the degree beyond 123 credits. Students must follow the same process of portfolio submission and approval to be accepted into a second concentration. 

Change of Degree Program 

Students who wish to change degree programs in art must reapply and gain admission status to the new degree program. 

Placement 

The School of Art and Design holds the exclusive authority to determine appropriate admission level placement, credit evaluation of art courses in studio, art history, and art education. 

Continuation in Program 

All art students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.25 to remain in the program. Students falling below a 2.25 may have one semester to improve their GPA and continue; if they do not, they are permanently dismissed from the program. Students may not fall below a 2.25 twice; a second incidence will result in immediate and permanent dismissal from the program. BFA in Studio Art majors must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their concentration areas. Falling below a 3.0 in the concentration or making one grade of “F” in the concentration area will result in dismissal from the concentration. Students dismissed from two concentrations may not continue in the BFA program. BS in Art Education majors must have a 2.75 overall GPA in order to be admitted to the Teacher Training Program of the Bagwell College of Education and to remain in the degree program. Furthermore, two or more “D” or “F” grades after admission to teacher education will result in a review by the Admissions and Academic Standing Committee. For a complete list of other requirements for art education students, refer to Admission and Retention in Teacher Education under Bagwell College of Education in the Undergraduate Catalog. All students must make timely and reasonable progress toward the degree. Non-enrollment or withdrawal from all classes for two or more consecutive semesters will require reapplication to the School of Art and Design.