California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

What you'll study

Coursework covers global and chronological breadth; offerings regularly include topics such as Contemporary Art, Medieval Art, Japanese Art, and Art and Architecture of India. Students learn to identify significant works and styles, apply multiple methods of interpretation, and situate visual culture within social and cultural contexts. The curriculum requires language preparation (a year of French or German) and elective/minor work tailored to career goals.

Entry requirements

The program description notes that the B.A. in Art History includes a year of French or German as part of its baseline preparation. Students should plan elective and minor choices in consultation with faculty advisors to align with long-term goals; specific campus admission rules and unit requirements are handled by the university admissions and department offices.

Career prospects

The department outlines multiple realistic career tracks and the credentials typically needed:

• Scholarship and university teaching: requires a Ph.D. in Art History or Visual Studies (or related fields such as Classical Studies or Archaeology); undergraduate preparation should include complementary minors and language study (one language must be French or German).
• Curatorship (museums, galleries, events): typically requires a master’s degree (M.A. in Art History, Museum Studies, or Curatorial Studies). The department recommends pursuing internships; academic credit is available for a Gallery Assistant Internship at the university’s Kellogg and Huntley galleries, where duties include research, inventory, cataloguing, labeling, archiving, exhibition assistance, gallery attendance, installation support, promotion, and administrative tasks.
• Collections management and librarianship: common credentials include an M.A. in Collections Management or an MLIS; art librarianship often combines MLIS and an M.A. in Art History. Applicants to some MLIS programs may need a college-level statistics course (descriptive and inferential statistics) passed with at least a C.
• Museum education: typically requires an M.A. in Museum Education or Museum Studies; internships are recommended.
• Arts administration and art business: master’s degrees in Arts Administration, Arts Management, or Art Business are desirable; undergraduates are advised to consider minors such as Finance, Marketing Management, Business Law, or General Management.
• Art editing and publishing: further training in writing, editing, journalism, or publishing is commonly needed (e.g., an M.A. in English, Journalism, or Arts Journalism); minors in English or Journalism are recommended.
• Art law: typically requires a J.D., often with specialization in intellectual property or combined programs in law and art history; a Political Science minor and elective law-related courses are suggested preparation.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult university financial aid resources, department advisement, and career services for information on scholarships, grants, paid internships, and assistantships that support undergraduate study and field placements.