What can I do with a major in Art History and Archaeology?

The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there. - L.P. Hartley
Description of Art History
Art history is the study of the history and development of visual arts using material items to reconstruct past
cultures and study objects of art in their historical development.
Usually this involves focusing on the artists and their cultural and social contributions, historical
development and stylistic content.
How Can I Tell If I Would Like Art History?
Students with an interest in art and architecture and a desire to understand and appreciate beauty, without an
interest in creating art, will find pursuing art history an appropriate and satisfying area of study. A student,
who has an appreciation of aesthetics, enjoys interpreting and understanding works of art of many types,
ranging from the monumental to minuscule, and wants to learn about artists lives and their societies would
be stimulated by this major.
What is Archaeology?
Archaeology is the recovery of artifacts via excavation and examination in attempt to reconstruct past
cultures. Study of ancient and recent human past through material remains. It is a subfield of Anthropology,
which is the study of the earliest origins of human culture to present day civilization.
How Can I Tell If I Would Like Archaeology?
You could see yourself working at an archaeological site, or in a cultural or natural history museum. You
consider yourself curious, analytical and a strong problem solver who might enjoy researching, evaluating
and interpreting large volumes of data on human behavior whether past, present, or future.
Schools Offering Degrees in Art History and Archaeology
Columbia University, NYC - http://www.columbia.edu/cu/arthistory/
University of Maryland - http://arthistory.umd.edu
University of Missouri - http://aha.missouri.edu
Washington University St. Louis, MO - https://arthistory.artsci.wustl.edu
University of Evansville, Ind. - http://archaeology.evansville.edu
Princeton University, NJ - http://artandarchaeology.princeton.edu
University of Manchester -
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2015/07858/archaeology-and-art-
history-3-years-ba/
University of Nottingham -
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/courses/archaeology/archaeology-art-history.aspx
University of Oxford - http://www.arch.ox.ac.uk/rlaha.html
What Are Some Possible Career Options?
While there are opportunities for students with only a bachelor degree, this type of work typically requires at
least a masters (2 years) or even a doctorate degree (5-7 years). More recently, people with this degree have
begun working in applied fields - environmental assessment, planning and development, organizational
consulting, or contract archaeology.

Antiques dealer
Appraiser
Architectural
Conservation
Archivist
Art Conservator
Art Critic
Art Editor
Artist Representative
Assistant Buyer
Associate Editor
Corporate Art Consultant

Corporate Curator
Cultural Artifact
Specialist
Ecotourism Director
Environmental Impact
Researcher
Estate Appraiser
Field Archaeologist
Fine Art Auctioneer
Forensic
Anthropologist
Genealogist

Historic Preservationist
Librarian
Multicultural Program
Leader
Museum Curator
Museum Technician
Non-Profit Administrator
Paleontologist
Private Curator
Researcher
Restorer

Set Designer
Special Collections
Librarian
State/Federal Policy
Analyst
Teacher
Technical Writer
Urban Planner
Visual Resource
Curator
Writer

Websites to explore:
O*NET Online www.onetonline.org
Christie's http://www.christies.com/
Museum Employment Resource http://www.museum-employment.com/
Museum Jobs http://www.museumjobs.com/
World Wide Art Resources http://wwar.com/
American Society For Aesthetics http://aesthetics-online.org/
Art History Network http://www.arthistory.net/
Association of Art Historians http://www.aah.org.uk/
Society of American Archivists http://www.archivists.org/
The College Art Association http://www.collegeart.org
The Society of Architectural Historians http://www.sah.org/
American Anthropological Association http://www.aaanet.org
American Alliance of Museums http://www.aam-us.org
Art History.Net http://www.arthistory.net/general.html
Society for American Archaeology http://www.saa.org
Additional Recommendations
Get involved and build your resume early.
Consider internships and volunteer opportunities to demonstrate work ethic and experience throughout your
resume. Join student organizations that fit your interests and career goals.
Also, consider informational interviews of professionals within your field.
What Can I Do To Make Myself More Marketable?
Pursue relevant work, internship, volunteer, and/or research experience.
Choose a complementary minor if relevant for career goals.
Specialize in an area; take courses in related fields.
Develop your computer skills.
Learn a foreign language.
Study abroad.
Join professional associations.
Get involved in student clubs.
Participate in community organizations.
Seek out leadership positions.
Research specific prerequisites for different positions.
Network with others in fields that interest you.