Art History Major and Minor

The Weisman is an on-campus museum that displays exhibitions of historic and contemporary art by internationally recognized artists, offering students a chance to gain firsthand experience in museum work.

• Learn more about the Weisman Museum

The Art History Student Society is a student-run organization that offers opportunities throughout the year to explore Los Angeles' artistic resources while enhancing student collegiality and success through a variety of programs, including a Career Night.

 The Art History Lecture Series invites prominent scholars to present their research on a variety of historical and archaeological subjects related to art. Offered several times throughout the year, the lectures introduce students to current scholarship and career paths in art history.

• Learn more and view upcoming lecture dates

 As part of their coursework, art history majors work with children from local schools to present interactive lessons that foster an appreciation of art and archaeology. Service projects provide valuable opportunities for students to synthesize and apply their knowledge of art history while serving the needs of the community.

 The study of art history prepares students for a variety of careers in museums, galleries, auction houses, education, research, conservation, preservation, art-related non-profits, publishing, and more. A bachelor's degree in art history is also excellent preparation for graduate programs in archaeology, art business, conservation, architecture, museum studies, museum education, library science, and historic preservation. Art history majors are highly competitive for professional programs in law, business, and arts management.

 The Pepperdine University campus is conveniently located in the greater Los Angeles area near world class art institutions such as the Getty, the Huntington Library and Gardens, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Norton Simon Museum, and Christie's Auction House. Our central location allows students to gain firsthand experience through visits, hands-on seminars with museum curators, and internships. Internships are strongly encouraged and supported. Here are just some of the institutions where our art history majors have interned:

• British Museum, London, United Kingdom
• Christie's, Beverly Hills, CA
• Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Perugia, Italy
• Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH
• de Young Fine Arts Museum, San Francisco, CA
• Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, Malibu, CA
• Getty Center, Brentwood, CA
• Getty Villa, Malibu, CA
• Guggenheim, NY
• Hackett Mill Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• Honor Fraser Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
• Houston Museum of Art, Houston, TX
• IGavel Online Auction House
• Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
• Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
• McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, TX
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA
• National Gallery, Washington D.C.
• Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, CA
• Partridge Fine Art Gallery, London, United Kingdom
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy
• Rohrer Fine Art, Laguna Beach, CA
• Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA

 Studying abroad is an excellent complement to a degree in art history, as there is no greater learning experience than to view art firsthand in its cultural context. Complete your fine arts requirement and obtain valuable experience for the art and art history major programs while taking courses in Florence, Italy through our partnership with Studio Art Centers International (SACI).

• Learn more about SACI
• Visit our International Programs Office