Course variations

Course summary

The department offers a comprehensive curriculum from ancient art to contemporary. Courses in the history of photography, architecture, folk and Asian art, and historiography are regularly offered. Majors take 30 credit hours consisting of 6 credits each in ancient-medieval, Renaissance-Baroque, and modern European-American art history; 6 credits of art history seminars; and an additional 6 credits of 100-level courses in art history or, with the approval of the advisor, in related departments. The seminars are small group experiences that stress in-depth study of a particular topic under the close supervision of a faculty member. Art history majors are required to learn a foreign language, French, German, Italian or Spanish, and are encouraged to study in related disciplines, such as history, religion and literature. A range of classes is offered, from large lectures to small lectures with class participation, and undergraduate seminars that encourage creative thought and expression, and sharpen research skills. Available to students are the museum and gallery resources of Washington, as well as its unparalleled research collections. Students also benefit from the lively speakers program offered by the department and the university.

Entry requirement for international students

Students from India should have higher secondary school certificate. Students from Australia should have senior secondary certificate of education, year 12 certificate. Students from Brazil should have Certificado de Conclusao de Secundo Grau. Students from China and Hong Kong should have senior high school graduation and superior national college entrance exam scores; HKCEE results and predicted HKAL results. Students from United Arab Emirates should have secondary school leaving certificate. Students from Indonesia should have SMA in science stream with minimum average of 7 in academic subjects. Students from Japan should have Kotogakko/secondary school diploma of graduation. Students from Malaysia should have MCE/SPM. Students from Pakistan should have intermediate certificate, higher secondary school certificate. Students from Thailand should have Mathayom Suksa 6. They are required to take either the SAT or ACT exams. Results of national examinations, such as the A Level exams, cannot be used as substitutes for these examinations. The SAT or ACT requirement may be waived only if there is no SAT or ACT testing offered anywhere in the student’s country of residence (as is the case for students in mainland China). If English is not their first language students must have results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), regardless of citizenship, country of residence or language of instruction in school. The minimum required score is 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL, 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or 550 on the paper-based TOEFL. Strong applicants to GW score much higher than the minimum required score on the TOEFL. In lieu of the TOEFL, a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS is also considered. The TOEFL requirement is waived only for students who score 550 or higher on the Critical Reading section of the SAT.

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

George Washington University

Department name

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Fine Arts and Art History