Art historians research and write to enhance understanding of art and its place within society. By studying the art and architecture of diverse world cultures and periods, art historians examine the historical, social, and cultural significance of art works for their creators and users. As interdisciplinary, liberal arts majors, a degree in art history prepares students for varied careers in the art world and beyond. Also, an undergraduate degree in art history prepares students for advanced study at the graduate level. Holding an advanced degree allows students to pursue careers in museums, galleries, and university teaching.
At the undergraduate level we offer both a BA and BFA in art history. The BFA caters to students who have a strong interest in combining studio and art history, while the BA is for students who choose to emphasize art history studies as part of a humanities degree. In addition to a variety of topics in and approaches to European and American art, the program offers courses in select non-Western topics, museology, theory, criticism, and cultural history of art.
The BA program consists of 120 semester credit hours, while the BFA* contains 128 semester credit hours. *As of the end of the 2007-2008 school year, we will only offer the BA in Art History. The BFA in Art History will no longer be offered.
The Department of Art Education and Art History offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Art History. The program consists of 30 semester credit hours, which includes 15-21 hours in graduate art history seminars, an optional 6 credit hour minor, a seminar in research methodology, and a 6 credit hour scholarly paper. Course offerings in art history cover a broad range of Western artistic traditions, in addition to non-Western traditions, such as Latin American, Islamic, and African Art.
Certification in art museum education is designed to provide professional training for those who desire careers in areas of art museum education and expertise in the use of art museums as education resources for school educators. The University of North Texas is ideally situated to serve as the site for a professional training program in art museum education. The North Texas area offers rich museum resources for study and practice in the field; bolstered by UNT's experienced faculty, course offerings, and educator-training opportunities.
The program consists of eighteen credit hours, including seminars in the history and theory of art museum education, current practices in museum education, roles and functions of art museums, political action and advocacy in the visual arts, and a six credit hour internship in a Texas art museum. Art museum education certification is designed to be pursued in conjunction with a graduate degree in art history, art education or studio. It can also be pursued alone with permission from the Department of Art Education and Art History.
The Priddy Charitable Trust Fellowship in Arts Leadership, offered jointly through the North Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts and the UNT College of Music, is intended to grant students the knowledge and skills necessary to become influential leaders in the arts community. Each year, 10 students (5 each from art education and music) will be selected on a competative basis to receive the fellowship which includes a $18,000 stipend for a 12-month period of prescribed full-time graduate study, tuition and most fees, paid state health benefits, as well as a travel allowance to assist in travel to professional meetings and conferences. More information can be found at the NTIEVA web site.
Mickey Abel, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor | 940-369-7204 | abel@unt.edu
Denise Baxter, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Art History | 940-565-3986 | baxter@unt.edu
Kelly Donahue-Wallace, Ph.D. | Associate Professor and Art Education & Art History Department Chair | 940-565-4777 | kwallace@unt.edu
Nada Shabout, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor | 940-565-4027 | shabout@unt.edu
Lisa Owen, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor | 940-369-7236 | lowen@unt.edu
Jennifer Way, Ph.D. | Associate Professor | 940-565-4029 | JWay@unt.edu
Alvaro Ibarra | Visiting Assistant Professor | 940-369-8368 | aibarra@unt.edu
Administrative Assistant II | Heather Close | 940-565-4777 | close@unt.edu