The Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers an undergraduate degree in art history that ensures its graduates have a well-rounded knowledge base in each of the major historical art periods. The college's "distribution" curriculum requires that students have at least one class in ancient and medieval art; one in renaissance, Baroque and 18th-century art; one in modern and contemporary art; and one in arts of the Americas, Asia and Africa. Students are also required to create art, as studio courses are included in the major.
Students interested in the history of modern and contemporary art should look into the Art Institute of Boston's four-year art history and critical studies program. The courses have an emphasis on the modern era and its influence on Western art. Other art periods are also touched on throughout the curriculum, and students can expect to spend some time in the studio. First year students in all of the Art Institute of Boston's majors take many of the same classes to provide a strong foundation in art theory and practice.
Boston University provides an undergraduate art history degree with instruction by many of the museum curators and art historians in Boston. Students have the option to study a wide range of art history topics or choose a specific focus area. All students, however, are given a broad overview of art's total impact on society with classes on film, photography and art business. Many of Boston University's art history classes regularly visit the Boston area's famous art galleries and museums, such as the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Harvard University offers an undergraduate concentration on art history and architecture. The program focuses on the influence of art throughout history, especially in regards to buildings and monuments. Students wishing to declare this concentration are encouraged to do so early, as it is recommended that they take several classes pertaining to it their freshman year.
Tufts University's art history major encourages students to explore a number of different aspects of art history before deciding on a specific focus. All beginning art history students are required to take two broad-topic courses before they select a specialization. The program also emphasizes studying abroad at one of the university's centers in London, Madrid, Paris or Tubingen.
A student in Boston College's art history program can expect to work closely with a faculty adviser to shape the rest of her schedule in addition to the course requirements. Students are encouraged to choose electives that complement their field of focus, including secondary languages that are pertinent to their art history specialization. Other history courses are also recommended so that students have a better understanding of how the world influenced art and vice versa.