10 Best Online Art History Degrees in 2025
Students can find online art history degrees offered nationwide. These programs include designed art history programs as well as customizable liberal arts degrees.
Students looking to pursue art history career paths can find online art history degrees available nationwide. Coursework in these programs covers concepts of Western art including American, European, and West and North African art dating back to the Renaissance and beyond.
The top online degrees in art history can be completed through a variety of degree types, including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts degrees. Learners will develop various soft and hard skills related to art history that can lead to career opportunities as archivists, art historians, and academics.
Top Art History Degree Programs Online
Students can find online degree programs that cover the general history of art, as well as programs that have more concentrated focuses on art from Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Enrollment in these programs includes part-time and full-time options for students with work or family obligations that they need to schedule their online courses around.
Students can also further their education with online art history graduate programs. Keep reading to see some of the best options to study art history online.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in art history degree that combines visual arts with other humanities (e.g., anthropology, history, and literature) to provide context for the works of art being studied.
This online program is divided into courses based on era and location to provide a well-rounded art history education with a holistic approach.
2. Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University students can earn a Bachelor of Art in art history and visual culture. Some of the most common topics covered in this online learning program include Baroque art, classical mythology, and ancient art.
This higher education program includes internships so students can gain a deeper understanding of art history by working in museums and similar organizations.
3. Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University offers an online-plus Bachelor of Arts in art history. This degree program consists of primarily online courses, with some in-person learning experiences at art galleries and museums.
Graduates of this program will develop competencies in museum studies and art management. Students can satisfy some course requirements with prior learning.
4. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee offers an online Bachelor of Arts in art history degree program. Students participate in asynchronous classes to learn about art and architecture throughout human history.
In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree track, learners can enroll in the accelerated BA to MA pathway to complete both degrees in around five years.
5. Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art history. Learners in these programs combine liberal arts with their art education.
Courses are delivered through the AAU information hub, which also serves as the platform for feedback and collaboration.
6. The University of Arizona Global Campus
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with an arts, media, and entertainment focus from the University of Arizona allows students to tailor their education to different types of art. This includes modern mediums, such as film, music, and even social media.
This degree can prepare students for online master's degrees in art history or related fields.
7. University of Massachusetts Lowell
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the University of Massachusetts has 10 humanities concentration options, including art history. This degree features a combined approach to reviewing how art and culture influence each other. The program includes a practicum, allowing for an either on-campus or off-campus learning experience.
8. Pennsylvania State University World Campus
The Bachelor of Arts in multidisciplinary studies from Penn State World Campus allows students to personalize their own education program, including a focus on art history and arts administration. Online learners can choose which aspects of art history they want to focus on and can include related courses (e.g., foreign languages, business skills, and anthropology).
9. Portland State University
Portland State University offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in art history degrees in flexible formats. Online coursework looks at art from ancient times to contemporary art through the lenses of culture, religion, and historical era.
10. Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University offers a Master of Arts in modern and contemporary art history degree. This program is one of the top online master's programs in art history programs nationwide. Students will study modern art with a primarily Christian focus, but they can apply these learnings in secular settings.
What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Art History Program?
Online bachelor's in art history programs teach hard and soft skills related to art history, such as critical thinking, understanding global cultures, and sometimes foreign languages. Art history will involve online coursework, but students should anticipate some form of hands-on experience, like a practicum or internship.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Art History?
Art history degrees can lead to various careers in museums, art galleries, and higher education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common art history career paths include curators, archivists, and museum workers. Some of these positions will require advanced degrees, such as a Master of Fine Arts or Master of Arts in art history.
Scholarship Opportunities for Art History Majors
Online students looking to find the most affordable art history degrees would start with online colleges that accept FAFSA. These programs are most likely to qualify for federal and private financial aid packages, such as scholarships.
The Beinecke Scholarship Program
Award amount: $5,000 for undergraduate school and $30,000 for graduate school ($35,000 in total)
Application Deadline: Varies
This scholarship is designed for students in an art, humanities, or social science program, including art history. The application process includes a 1,000-word essay and college transcripts. Deadlines for this program vary based on your individual school's internal financial aid requirements.
History of Art Institutional Fellowships
Award amount: $30,000
Application Deadline: November 2025
The History of Art Institutional Fellowships are awarded to pre-doctoral students in art history or a related field. Funding is intended for students pursuing graduate or doctoral dissertations. You can find more information about this in the application.
Earl Pascua Filipino-American Heritage Scholarship
Award amount: $500
Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2025
This scholarship is named for the seventh president of the Philippines and is designed for Filipino-Americans studying history or a STEM field. Students enrolled in Filipino-American or similar Asian art history programs can qualify for this program.
Find an Online Degree Program Today
Although there aren't many art history degree programs available online, our resources can help you learn more about individual degrees. Read our school profiles to learn about schools, their degrees, and admission requirements. After you've learned more, reach out and start your application process today.