Art History and Museum Professions BS Degree Program
http://www.fitnyc.edu/art-history
School of Liberal Arts
Applications accepted for fall only. NYSED: 30021 CIP: 50.1002
The major in Art History and Museum Professions prepares students for positions in museums and other art institutions, with a focus on providing skills in collections management, development, education, public relations, rights and reproductions, visitor services, creative communication, and exhibition administration. Students must have taken any 100-level HA course prior to entering the program. Curriculum below is for the entering class of fall 2025.
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | MP 307 - Professional Practicum for Art Museums and Galleries | 3 |
| MP 361 - History and Meaning of Museums | 3 | |
| choice - see Requirements: Major Area Elective(s) | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | choice - see Requirements: Related Area Elective(s) | 2 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/Foreign Language | 3 |
| choice - any 200- or 300-level EN course | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | MP 362 - Museum Professions and Administration | 3 |
| MP 363 - Collections Management and Care | 3 | |
| choice - see Requirements: Major Area Elective(s) | 6 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/Foreign Language | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | HA 331 - Contemporary Art and Culture: 1945 to the Present * | 3 |
| HA 411 - Western Theories of Art | 3 | |
| MP 409 - Art and Museum Law | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | AC 322 - Publicity/Public Relations for Visual Arts Management | 3 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/American History | 3 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | HA 462 - Art and Ethics | 3 |
| MP 461 - Senior Seminar: Museum Exhibition | 3 | |
| choice - see Requirements: Major/Related Area Elective(s) | 3 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts Elective(s) | 3 |
| GENERAL ELECTIVE | choice - General Elective(s) | 2-3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| GENERAL ELECTIVE | 2-3 | |
| MAJOR AREA | 39 | |
| RELATED AREA | 5 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | 15 | |
| Total Credits: | 61-62 | |
Fall 2025 Requirements: See below.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Course Content Requirements
(24 AAS credits* + 15 BS credits = 39 credits total)
- American History: 3 credits. CHOICE of any course that meets the General Education American History requirement (G10)*
- English: 9 credits.
-
Foreign Language: 6 credits. Two semesters of the same foreign language, one of which must meet the General Education Foreign Language requirement (G8)*
-
Mathematics: 3 credits. CHOICE of any MA that meets SUNY (G2)*
-
Natural Science: 3 credits. CHOICE of any SC that meets SUNY (G3)*
Liberal Arts Elective(s): 15 credits.*
AB (Arabic); CH (Chinese); EN (English); EC (Economics); FI (Film and Media Studies); FR (French); HA (History of Art); HE (Health Education) HE 201, HE 301; IT (Italian); JA (Japanese); HI (History); MA (Math); MC (Modern Languages and Cultures); MU (Music); PC (Political Science); PE (Physical Education and Dance) PE 215, PE 216, PE 217; PL (Philosophy); PO (Portuguese); PY (Psychology); SC (Science); SO (Sociology); SP (Spanish); and SS (Social Sciences). See Liberal Arts Courses.
Major Area Elective(s): 9 credits.
- 3 credits: CHOICE of any HA course
- 3 credits: CHOICE of HA 230, HA 231, HA 240, or HA 254
- 3 credits: CHOICE of any HA course that meets the General Education Other World Civilizations requirement (G9).
Major/Related Area Elective(s): 3 credits.
IC 497 or any 300- or 400- HA course not previously taken.
Related Area Elective(s): 2 credits.
CHOICE of FA 116, FA 117, FA 121, or FA 122
*Credits from AAS will apply as appropriate
FIT’s 2+2 degree structure requires an earned AAS or equivalent plus all the BS or BFA degree requirements. For more information, please see Requirements for Degree Completion.
Upon successful completion of the Art History and Museum Professions BS program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in art historical research and writing, employing the major methodologies of art historical scholarship, and the ability to apply these skills to a range of projects fundamental to art institutions.
- Articulate the history, theory, and cultural roles of museums and collecting from an international perspective.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the organization and operation of art institutions, including exhibition planning, collections management, communications, education, community outreach, and development.
- Analyze the actions of art institutions in relation to the expectations, needs and desires of the various communities they serve.