Advanced courses reflecting the world outlook of the cultures studied identify four traditions in the history of western art. Geography defines the older two: the Classical Tradition of the Mediterranean World and the Northern European Tradition, which parallel one another in time, running up to the end of the sixteenth century. Time separates the third and fourth traditions: the Enlightenment era studies the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, while the Modern era explores the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Two required upper level seminars let students study the principal underpinnings of the field: its essential theories and its critical methods.

In addition to courses in Art History, the program requires students to take two Studio Art courses to provide insight into the working methods of artists; the creative processes which foster intuitive thinking, and non-verbal conceptualization and articulation. Also, students must take two modern language courses, to broaden their research capabilities in the field.  The major highly recommends that its students enroll in the Honors College.