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2025-2026

Art History, Bachelor of Arts (NEXT STEP Pathway)

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (Brightpoint Community College)
Brightpoint Community College
Associate degree

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts

Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.

Program description

Art History is a liberal arts program composed of an academic course of study exposing students to the scholarship, theoretical perspectives, and research methods of not only the history of art, but related disciplines in the humanities. Courses focus on cultures, historical periods, and regions. The program also includes possibilities for directed research projects as well as museum internships. While providing students with the opportunity for a broad education on the liberal arts and humanities, the department also emphasizes a close bond with the studio and performing arts and enjoys a close relationship with the other departments in the School of the Arts. Art history students complete a Level 4 REAL experience as a part of the major capstone course. Overseas studies are available through university-sponsored programs abroad in Europe and Asia.

Career opportunities

This curriculum provides students the best possible background for future graduate work in art history.  Additionally, the study of art history prepares students with highly sought after skills in writing and communication, problem solving, critical thinking, creative expression,  cultural awareness, independent thought, organization and research,  and advocacy.  Current students take advantage of multiple internship opportunities in Richmond’s vibrant art community to gain practical experience, and alumni of the program may hold positions in the public and private art worlds, government, nonprofits, and businesses, depending upon their interests and expertise.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Administrative Coordinator
  • Conservation Technician
  • Content Strategist
  • Donor Services Coordinator
  • Preservation Librarian
  • Program Coordinator
  • Project Manager
  • Gallery Host
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Art Conservator
  • Curator
  • Librarian and Archives Manager
  • Museum Educator
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Students are guaranteed admission to this degree program with:

  • Completion of the associate degree
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • All courses completed with a "C" grade or better
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
  • Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 3.0+ cumulative GPA
VCU Major Maps

View VCU Major Map for Art History

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2025-2026

Art History, Bachelor of Arts (NEXT STEP Pathway)

Brightpoint Community College (Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Register for SDV 100 or SDV 101.
  • Schedule an advising appointment with your Brightpoint advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring to get ahead.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Explore financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
  • Attend cultural events at community college and VCU to celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
Experience Year 2
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Research housing options for next year.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU School of the Arts, consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students to make professional and personal connections.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or department-related events.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Register for SDV 100 or SDV 101.
  • Schedule an advising appointment with your Brightpoint advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring to get ahead.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Explore financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at community college and VCU to celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Research housing options for next year.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU School of the Arts, consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students to make professional and personal connections.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2025-2026

Art History, Bachelor of Arts (NEXT STEP Pathway)

Brightpoint Community College (Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts)

Brightpoint Community College courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I UNIV 111 3 General education
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning MATH 131 3 General education
CST 100 or 110 Principles of Public Speaking or Intro to Human Communication SPCH 221 or SPCH 121 3 Elective
Foreign Language 101 Select a SPA, FRE, or GER course from the approved list for Foreign Language or a transfer elective if placed out of the 101 level. VCU equivalent 3 to 4 Elective
History Select one: HIS 111, 112, 121, or 122 VCU equivalent 3 Elective
Laboratory Science Select one from the approved list. VCU equivalent 4 General education
Foreign Language 102 Select a SPA, FRE, or GER course from the approved list for Foreign Language or a Transfer Elective if placed out of the 102 level. VCU equivalent 3 to 4 Major
ART 101 History of Art: Prehistoric to Gothic (fulfils Art requirement) ARTH 103 3 Major
Social/Behavioral Science Select one from the approved list. VCU equivalent 3 General education
History Select one: HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, HIS 122, HIS 127, HIS 141, HIS 231, HIS 281. HIST 3 Major
Literature Select one from the approved list. VCU equivalent 3 Elective
Foreign Language 201 Select a course from the Foreign Language/Transfer Elective III. VCU equivalent 3 Major
Select a course from the Cultural Understanding/Civic Engagement list. VCU equivlanet 3 Elective
Philosophy/Religion Select one: PHI 100, PHI 111, PHI 220, REL 100, REL 230 VCU equivalent 3 General education
Foreign Language 202 Select a course from the Foreign Language/Transfer Elective IV. VCU equivalent 3 Major
ART 102 History of Art: Renaissance to Modern ARTH 104 3 Major
Select additional Liberal Arts Transfer Electives from list. VCU equivalent 5 to 7 Elective
Brightpoint credits transferred to VCU 60 to 62
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
ARTH 292 Writing for Art History 3 Major
ARTH 293 Professional Practices for Art History 3 Major
ARTH 302 Introduction to Museums 3 Major
ARTH 390 Art Historical Methods 4 Major
ARTH 490 Senior Seminar in Art History 4 Major
ARTH Cluster A (select two courses; see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
ARTH Cluster B (select three courses; see VCU advisor for course options) 9 Major
ARTH Unrestricted ARTH electives (select any two additional ARTH courses) 6 Major
Fine Arts Studio Select 3 credits of fine arts studio (from CRAF, SCPT, PAPR or PHTO) 3 Major
Humanities Select 9 credits of upper-level (300-level) humanities (from AFAM, ANTH, RELS, GSWS, ENGL, PHIL, WRLD) 9 Major
Open electives Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. 8 to 10 Elective
Credits completed at VCU 58 to 60
Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree 120
The accelerated B.A. and M.A. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.A. and M.A. in Art History in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 54 undergraduate credit hours, including a minimum of 21 credits of art history course work (may include AP and transfer courses); an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.5 in art history course work. Applicants should have completed or be enrolled in ARTH 390.