Art History

Undergraduate

The Art History program at California State University, Chico, is designed to teach students to think critically about global visual arts and culture. The Art History program provides training leading to art history careers (museum, gallery, and academic) and entry into master’s and Ph.D. programs, as well as a solid foundation in research and writing skills that are highly valued by diverse employers. The faculty are widely recognized for their contributions to the field, with particular strengths in Medieval, Modern/Contemporary, and Mesoamerican art history.

Undergraduate majors begin with surveys that provide general knowledge of world art history and then take a series of upper-division courses on different historical periods and cultures (Roman Art, Medieval Art, African Art, Maya Art, Contemporary Art, and so on). This curriculum is augmented with frequent “special topics” courses (E.G. Monster Movies, Contemporary Art Criticism & Practice). See the Schedule of Courses for our current offerings. Students also have the opportunity to do coursework in study abroad programs, and art history faculty have offered courses in England and Ireland.

The Janet Turner Print Museum and University Art Gallery at Chico State provide internship and job opportunities for students. The Art and Art History department publishes Contrapposto, A Journal of Undergraduate and Graduate Research in Art History.

View the Course Catalog for the BA option for Art History

Graduate

The MA in art history (30 units minimum) is designed to prepare post-baccalaureate students for a variety of professional opportunities (e.g., museum work) and/or for entrance to doctoral (PhD) programs in other institutions. The students are expected to regularly consult the University Catalog (current in the academic year of the student's admission to the Graduate School) and monitor changes in regulations and requirements governed by the Graduate School.

Since students are accepted into the MA program as "conditionally classified," normally, the art history faculty collectively acts as academic and career advisors until a "classified" status is achieved and a thesis committee formed. Graduate students should discuss their objectives and career interests with all art history faculty as early as possible, so that they can receive appropriate program and degree directions. They are also expected to meet with the graduate art history advisor and other faculty (if appropriate) on a regular basis (suggested at least twice a semester) in order to discuss their academic progress and planning, and to obtain such information as up-coming conferences, grants, scholarships, and internship programs.

By the end of the second semester of the first year, all students should informally create their thesis committee by consulting with faculty members and the graduate art history advisor. It is recommended that the committee consist of three members. Upon completion of their regular course work, a classification examination is given for determining a "classified" status. At this time, the official paperwork concerning the thesis committee is filed. Thereafter, the thesis committee provides directions for completing the thesis and the MA degree during the fourth semester, or later if necessary.

View the Course Catalog for MA in Art History

Blended Art BA (Art History Option) + Art MA

A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.

Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.

Eligibility

The blended BA + MA is for highly motivated, well-qualified students. The program allows a student to apply after completing at least 60 units toward their bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Application Procedure

Application deadlines: April 1 for fall start and November 1 for spring start.

Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended program. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an application fee. GRE scores are not required. Students must meet the requirements outlined below to change to blended graduate status and continue toward the master's degree.

Grading Requirement

Once in the blended program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their remaining undergraduate and graduate semesters.

Transition to Graduate Status

Students can transition to the graduate program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Coordinator will verify graduate program eligibility at the end of the semester in which the bachelor's degree is completed. Qualified students will change to graduate status effective the following semester.

Requirements for the Blended BA + MA

The blended program allows up to 12 units from the courses below to count toward both degrees.