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Art History
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Contact: Sandra EsslingerTitle: Department ChairContact: sesslinger@mtsac.edu
Career Outlook Art History

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A0330

The academic discipline of Art History involves the study of visual objects as both works of art and as artifacts of the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created. The Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer (AA-T) will provide the student with a solid foundation in both European and non–European art and visual culture from the periods of pre–history through modern. The degree program requires students to critically analyze visual objects from a variety of perspectives, utilizing various modes of analysis.

To earn an Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer a student must complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU that consist of: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Required Courses

Industry StatisticsJob Titles & Salaries
Select a related job title below to view demand & salary information
    • Historians

      Historians

      SOC Career Code: 19-3093.00

      Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $25.27

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $77,684.98
      Annual Job Openings
      59

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Postsecondary Art, Drama, and Music Teachers

      Postsecondary Art, Drama, and Music Teachers

      SOC Career Code: 25-1121.00

      Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $41.44

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $103,540.43
      Annual Job Openings
      20,510

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Archivists

      Archivists

      SOC Career Code: 25-4011.00

      Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $21.69

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $63,455.50
      Annual Job Openings
      182

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Curators

      Curators

      SOC Career Code: 25-4012.00

      Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $26.91

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $71,719.12
      Annual Job Openings
      207

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Museum Technicians and Conservators

      Museum Technicians and Conservators

      SOC Career Code: 25-4013.00

      Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $20.67

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $56,733.73
      Annual Job Openings
      211

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Set and Exhibit Designers

      Set and Exhibit Designers

      SOC Career Code: 27-1027.00

      Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $22.98

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $68,713.71
      Annual Job Openings
      397

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Tour Guides and Escorts

      Tour Guides and Escorts

      SOC Career Code: 39-7011.00

      Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $15.60

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $38,189.87
      Annual Job Openings
      1,843

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
How to Complete the Program

Guided Pathways

Program Guided Pathways

Certificate & Degree Details

Select a certificate below to expand details
  • Art History

    Humanities and Social Sciences Division
    Degree A0330

    The academic discipline of Art History involves the study of visual objects as both works of art and as artifacts of the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created. The Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer (AA-T) will provide the student with a solid foundation in both European and non–European art and visual culture from the periods of pre–history through modern. The degree program requires students to critically analyze visual objects from a variety of perspectives, utilizing various modes of analysis.

    To earn an Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer a student must complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU that consist of: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    Core Courses
    AHIS 4History of Western Art: Prehistoric Through Gothic3
    or AHIS 4H History of Western Art: Prehistoric Through Gothic - Honors
    AHIS 5History of Western Art: Renaissance Through Modern3
    or AHIS 5H History of Western Art: Renaissance Through Modern - Honors
    ARTD 15ADrawing: Beginning3
    List A
    Choose one from the following:3
    AHIS 9
    History of Asian Art and Architecture
    AHIS 11
    History of African, Oceanic, and Native American Art
    or AHIS 11H
    History of African, Oceanic, and Native American Art - Honors
    AHIS 12
    History of Precolumbian Art and Architecture
    or AHIS 12H
    History of Precolumbian Art and Architecture - Honors
    AHIS 13
    World Art and Visual Culture
    List B
    Choose one from the following:3
    ARTB 14
    Basic Studio Arts
    ARTD 17A
    Drawing: Life
    ARTD 20
    Design: Two-Dimensional
    ARTG 20
    Art, Artists, and Society
    ARTS 22
    Design: Three-Dimensional
    ARTS 30A
    Ceramics: Beginning I
    ARTS 40A
    Sculpture: Beginning
    PHOT 10
    Basic Digital and Film Photography
    List C
    Choose one from the following or any one course not selected from List A or B:3
    AHIS 3
    History of Women and Gender in Art
    or AHIS 3H
    History of Women and Gender in Art - Honors
    AHIS 6
    History of Modern Art
    or AHIS 6H
    History of Modern Art - Honors
    AHIS 7
    Global Contemporary Visual Culture
    AHIS 8
    History of Medieval Art and Architecture
    AHIS 10
    A History of Greek and Roman Art and Architecture
    AHIS 14
    Rome: The Ancient City
    AHIS 15
    Culture and Art of Pompeii
    Total Units for Major18
    CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 139-42
    Total Units 60
    1

    Courses may be double-counted with either CSU-GE or IGETC.

    Art History Website 

Contacts

Department Contact

Contact: Sandra EsslingerTitle: Department ChairContact: sesslinger@mtsac.edu

Office Contact

Location: Building 26D-2481Phone: (909) 274-4946