Ready to take your passion for art history and the societal impacts of visual expression to the next level? The master’s in art history online degree from Lindenwood University advances your approach to artistic expression and production in different historical eras through contemporary forms of artistry. Our award-winning online art history master’s degree ranks among the top art history master’s programs online – recognized for the high quality of its content matched by its affordable value.
Besides a flexible, fully online learning format, benefit from number of other advantages in this MA art history online program, including:
- Ranked a Best Online Master’s Programs in Art History in 2022 OnlineMasterDegrees.org
- Annual study abroad opportunities
- Support in every class for research, writing, and career development
- Complete your degree in 30 months
- No application fee
- Lifetime Career Center Access
100%
Online
2-4 Yrs
Program Length
30
Credit Hours
$584
Cost per Credit
What You’ll Learn in Your Online Art History Master’s Degree
Our master’s in art history online program examines art as a visual extension of human expression throughout history. This MA program explores notable works of art in history, along with artistic approaches in production and expression within each defined artistic era. Reveal the visual imprint of art on society in aspects such as culture and politics through coursework in the following:
- Baroque Art
- Ancient Art
- Non-Western Art
- Art Theory and Criticism
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), art professors can earn an average salary of $101,460 per year, teaching at the postsecondary level. A background in art history and visual culture is valued in a number of other career paths including Art Manager, Art Designer, Audio Supervisor, Fashion Architect, Art Appraiser, Art Coordinator, and Art Preparation Specialist.
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this master’s in art history online program covers the following:
- High-Level Analytical Skills – advance analytical aptitude for artistic expression and production in classical artworks, as well as contemporary forms of artistic expression.
- Advanced Interpretive Approach – build out interpretive skill in examining visual expression and its physical artifacts as a language for communicating social and political perspectives and realities.
- Communication – cultivate a robust approach to communicating insights based on research and analysis of historical and contemporary artistic expression as a source of cultural, societal, political, and religious messaging.
- Artistic Production – gain a foundation in the essentials of artistic production, in areas such as design and color theory.
Tuition Details
The cost per credit hour for this program is $584. Besides being ranked No. 17 on Niche.com’s list of Best Value Colleges in Missouri, we build in unique benefits such as our 20 percent discount per credit hour for returning alumni pursuing their master’s degree.
Admissions Requirements
For admission to your master’s in art history online degree program, you will need to complete your online application and submit the following documents:
- Online Application
- Résumé
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Minimum GPA of 2.8, as well as official transcript(s) from any graduate school(s) attended
- Undergraduate degree must be in a related field, or leveling courses are required. Please contact your enrollment counselor with questions
- If GPA is below a 2.8, three references and/or GRE score will be required
- Letter of intent including a personal statement regarding your interest in the program and career goals
- All colleges and universities previously attended.
- A writing sample
Curriculum Overview
Our online art history master’s degree curriculum advances an analytical approach to examining artistic expression in history, blended with an exploration of visual culture that focuses on artistic expression as a visual form of social and cultural commentary. Upon completion of this MA art history online program, students can bring their expertise across art history and visual expression to settings as diversified as museums and post-secondary art education through studies in topics such as:
- Baroque Art
- Ancient Art
- Nineteenth-Century Art
- Twentieth-Century Art
- History of Digital Art
- Non-Western Art
Major Coursework – 15 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CAH 50000 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CAH 51000 | Research and Scholastic Writing | 3 |
| CAH 55000 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| CAH 60000 | Thesis/Directed Project I | 3 |
| CAH 61000 | Thesis/Directed Project II | 3 |
| CAH 57000 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
Specialized Coursework – 15 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 55300 | Eighteenth Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 55400 | Nineteenth-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 56300 | Early Modern Gender Studies | 3 |
| ARTH 56100 | Twentieth-Century Art/Modern | 3 |
| ARTH 56400 | Non-Western Art | 3 |
| ARTH 56500 | History of Photography | 3 |
| ARTH 56900 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| ARTH 57000 | History of Games and Critical Theory | 3 |
| ARTH 57001 | History of World Cinema | 3 |
| ARTH 58900 | Art Theory and Criticism | 3 |
Transfer Credits
Lindenwood offers a generous transfer policy of up to nine credits toward your completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 21 credit hours at Lindenwood—saving you time and money on your education!
Accreditation & Awards

Ranked #2
Best Online Master’s in Art & Art History Programs

Ranked #1
Best Online Master’s Degrees in Art History
Lindenwood Testimonials
The confidence of paying it forward, that’s what Lindenwood gives you and it gave me.
Talay Crowley
I am so thankful I found this school and graduate program.
Halim Marrujo • ’23 Alumnus
Lindenwood helped shape my future, what I want to do, and helped me find a passion.
Cody Heath
Career Opportunities

Museum Coordinator
Lead and manage the operations, exhibitions, and educational programs of museums and history-focused organizations.

Art Conservator
Preserve and restore artwork and historical artifacts to preserve their integrity for display and educational purposes.

Art Historian
Conduct research, write for art-focused publications, or become an art history teacher in higher education settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key elements of visual culture include representation, spectatorship, and visual literacy. These concepts are engaged in the primary aim of visual culture, which is to analyze visual artifacts through their social, cultural, and historical lenses.
A master’s in art history & visual culture examines artistic expression throughout history, including representative eras such as Nineteenth-Century Art, Baroque Art, and Ancient Art. This program also explores the key aspects of visual culture and how it engages with artistic expression.
A master’s in art history & visual culture is a path to a number of careers in the art world, such as artistic expression, art curation, fashion architecture, and art preparation, and art coordination. When you earn your master’s in art history online at Lindenwood, you can benefit from a fully online program that lets you complete your degree at your pace – in as little as two years.
It is very useful as a tool to analyze both modern and historical cultures. Such a tool is effective in many areas from art criticism to art history education and much more.
The master’s in art history online program at Lindenwood allows graduate students to transfer up to nine credits. Learn more about our transfer policy.
Yes, there are scholarships and financial aid available for the master’s in art history online. Learn more about our transfer policy.
No, our art history master’s does not charge any application fees.
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Throughout each step of your online degree program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.