Sep 06, 2025  
Butler University Bulletin 2025-2026 
    
Butler University Bulletin 2025-2026

Art History, BA


  • Applicants are admitted to the program on the basis of academic acceptance by the University. Visit https://www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/admission/ for details.
  • The BA in Art History requires the completion of 120 credit hours; 40 hours must be at the 300-level or above. 
  • A grade of C or higher is required for all JCA courses.
  • Art History majors may choose to complete one or more areas of Emphasis, which will be noted on the transcript. Emphasis requirements are listed below for Graphic Design, Painting and Drawing, and Photography.
  • All Art majors are required to attend Arts Events; see www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/current-student-resources/ for details (JCA Arts Event Attendance Requirements).
  • For detailed degree requirements, including an eight-semester suggested sequence of courses, see www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/art/major-minor/.

Required Courses in Art History (24 credits)


Required Courses in Art History (24 credits)

Art + Design Elective (3 credits)


Choose one of the following:

Language Requirement (6 credits)


2 courses of the same language at the 200-level or higher.

University Core Curriculum (27 credits)


FYS 101 and FYS 102, First Year Seminar 6 (3,3)
GHS, Global and Historical Studies (2 courses)   6 (3,3)
AR, Analytic Reasoning 3
NW, The Natural World 5
SW, The Social World 3
TI, Texts and Ideas 3
WB, Well-Being 1

Art majors fulfill the following requirements of the University Core Curriculum: Perspectives in the Creative Arts (because they take nine credit hours in the arts), the Indianapolis Community Requirement, and the Butler Cultural Requirement.

Minor, Concentration, or Emphasis (24 credits)


A second major, minor, concentration, or emphasis is required. It should be chosen in consultation with the academic advisor. 

Free Electives (21 credits)


Emphasis in Graphic Design


The Emphasis in Graphic Design is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with any art degree (BA in Art + Design, BA in Art History, BFA in Studio Art, BS in Arts Administration-Art, BS in Arts Administration-Art History). Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Graphic Design will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (15 credits)


Emphasis in Painting and Drawing


The Emphasis in Painting and Drawing is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with any art degree (BA in Art + Design, BA in Art History, BFA in Studio Art, BS in Arts Administration-Art, BS in Arts Administration-Art History). Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Painting and Drawing will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (15 credits)


Emphasis in Photography


The Emphasis in Photography is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with any art degree (BA in Art + Design, BA in Art History, BFA in Studio Art, BS in Arts Administration-Art, BS in Arts Administration-Art History). Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Photography will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.