Because the history of art is engaged in problems of historical analysis and the interpretation of culture, it provides students with a broad background in the humanities consistent with a liberal arts education. The undergraduate degree program is designed to prepare students for competitive placement in graduate schools across the country.

As students progress through the program, they become familiar with historical relationships between art objects and society, learn techniques of formal analysis, study patterns of patronage, and absorb methods for interpreting the meaning of paintings, sculptures, and buildings. In the course of their studies, art history majors develop their research abilities and writing skills.