Earn a master of arts degree in art history and visual culture from Lindenwood University in any modality - Online, On-Campus, or Blended!
Master of Arts (MA) offered in On-campus, Online, and Blended formats.
*On-campus format will require some online classes for degree completion.
Earn a Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture from Lindenwood University in St. Charles/St. Louis in an Online or Blended Environment
Earn your Master of Arts degree in Art History and Visual Culture online or blended formats in our award-winning, state-of-the-art, top-ranked program. This St. Louis art history master's degree program will provide you with a broad foundation and exploration of the visual arts and culture in various and diverse eras, as well as inspire you in innovative and personalized ways! Moreover, this degree uses entirely Open Educational Resources or no-cost textbooks.
“Lindenwood University's Art History and Visual Culture program was the best choice I could have made.”
- Caroline Haller
You will develop a greater knowledge of the salient works of art through the exploration of diverse approaches and the examination of varied materials and work with professors who regularly publish and present internationally. These mentors will ensure students have real experience through new digital technologies, internships, teaching, and research.
Traditional and contemporary approaches to the discipline are introduced with a firm grounding in research and methods as the field looks forward to the utilization of digital methods, AI, and virtual reality. This St. Louis art history master's program seeks to reveal the structures within which works of art were produced, how they were utilized, and the manners in which visual culture communicates meaning. Build relationships with students and alumni all over the world in all areas of visual arts and personalize a degree that works best for you with a thesis or project track.
The online and blended MA in Art History and Visual Culture program requires 30 credit hours. This flexibility allows you to combine online with traditional classroom courses in a schedule that works for you, or you can complete the degree entirely online.
Program Recognition
Best Online Master’s Programs in Art History for 2022 and 2023 from Online Master's Degrees.
Collegechoice.net has ranked Lindenwood University's M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture, online program, third in its list of the 10 Best Online Master's in Art and Art History Degrees.
TheBestSchools.org has ranked Lindenwood University's M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture, online program, fifth in its annual list of The 6 Best Online Master's in Art and Art History Programs.
Onlinemasters.com has ranked Lindenwood University's M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture, online program, as the number one most accelerated in its list of the Best Online Master's in Art History Programs.
BestColleges.com has ranked Lindenwood University's M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture, online program, as number three in its list of The 5 Best Online Master's in Art and Art History Programs for 2019.
Grad School Hub has ranked Lindenwood University's M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture, online program, as the third most affordable in its list of 10 Most Affordable Online Master's in Art and Art History Online 2018.
Student Testimonials and Theses
Explore a sample of the work being done by our MA Art History and Visual Culture degree students and hear about their experiences in the program.
Sara Ayres, The Democratization of Art
“Returning to my education after twenty years in the workforce, the Lindenwood University team provided the support and insight needed for my ensured success. The professors were informative, challenging, and approachable. My advisors pushed my boundaries of understanding, forcing me to more thoughtfully engage with my field of focus. And the administrative team provided thoughtful and timely correspondence. While the One-Year Fast Track Masters Degree in Art History and Visual Culture was challenging, especially when owning and operating an art gallery, it was a valuable experience that expanded my knowledge, professional network, and opportunities for engagement.”
Thesis: “The Democratization of Art: Placemaking Initiatives in Rural Spaces”
Katelyn Beach, Building Her Own Brand
“The Lindenwood Master of Arts program both increased my passion for art history as well as provided multiple professional opportunities. From seminars discussing various ways to use our degrees to the plethora of available classes, I enjoyed the academic resources provided by Lindenwood. Even as an online student, I was given constant attention and advice from my professors to help reach my full potential.”
Thesis: “Building Her Own Brand: Angelica Kauffman and Angelic Entrepreneurship”
Jasen Evoy, The Taxonomy of Extinction
“My experiences in the Art History and Visual Culture program at Lindenwood were exemplary. As a lifelong educator, I was deeply impressed with the highly qualified faculty, strong curricular design, and strategic supports embedded throughout the program. I was challenged to create meaningful and rigorous work, but provided with highly accessible advisors and guidance throughout the process. Lindenwood provided me with the opportunity not only to earn the degree I desired, but to advance my knowledge and skills dramatically.”
Thesis: “The Taxonomy of Extinction: Brian Jungen’s Tombstone”
Caroline Haller, The Artists of the Walter Crane Fan
“Lindenwood University's Art History and Visual Culture program was the best choice I could have made. From my initial interaction with Dr. Hutson, I knew that I would get the personalized experience I was hoping for. Then, my thesis advisor Dr. Olsen was a constant resource. The program is fantastic for students who want to earn their MA in Art History in a remote or after work setting. The online learning and technological resources are second to none. Not only did I receive an incredibly personal education but I still have those connections and resources today!”
Thesis: “The Artists of the Walter Crane Fan: Gender and Performance in 1895”
Susan Hanny, Personifications of the Sacred and Sovereign
“Being a student in the M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture at Lindenwood University greatly expanded my knowledge and expertise in the field while improving my research and writing skills exponentially. The faculty cultivates an environment of intellectual diversity by promoting the exploration and application of diverse and innovative research methodologies resulting in forward-thinking and original works of scholarship. The program is grounded in academic rigor, allowing students to gain exceptional foundational knowledge in numerous areas of art history and visual culture. My thesis, Personifications of the Sacred and the Sovereign Represented in the Art of the Sala del Maggior Consiglio in Palazzo Ducale, is not only the outcome of many hours of dedicated research and writing but also the result of involved and committed faculty and thesis committee members to whom I will be forever grateful.”
Joette James, Norman Lewis & Philip Guston
“I came into the Art History & Visual Culture program at Lindenwood University as a clinical psychologist with minimal formal training in art history. The program nurtured my passion for the field and was also intellectually rigorous and supportive. I learned so much, and in the process developed lifelong friendships with my classmates and the Lindenwood faculty. I am incredibly grateful for the experience, which was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.”
Thesis: “Norman Lewis & Philip Guston: From Modernist Margins to Postmodernism”
Chris Kitamura, The Life and Times of the Berlin Secession
“The MA Art History program was a wonderful experience. I had great support from faculty and several departments from the university including the library and career services. The program didn't just help me academically, but also professionally to gain great advice on pursuing a career. The art history program was very well rounded in covering various genres, artists, and even mediums. I believe it's on the cutting edge of the field and I have been very glad to have been part of it!”
Thesis: “The Life and Times of the Berlin Secession Podcast”
Peter Kos, Art as Alchemy
“I loved my time in the program. It was the perfect balance between structured learning and creative freedom. The taught sections were thorough and engaging, and I felt encouraged and supported at every step of the research process.”
Nicole Lazo, Women’s Influence in Cerén’s Architecture
“My time in Lindenwood University's graduate program surpassed my expectations. I originally chose to get my masters degree at Lindenwood because they seemed to have a well-organized online program that was flexible enough for me to be able to study as well as be able to focus on my other life roles. I am a mother and wife who works and am very happy with the experience I had at Lindenwood. Ever since I started researching their program for Art History and Visual Culture I was able to have all of my questions answered through phone calls and emails. I chose to complete my masters in one year and always felt the constant support and guidance needed to finish my classwork and thesis on time. The communication with professors and my thesis committee was amazing. All the information I needed to finish the program was available to me, including important information about how to prepare for future employment goals. Attending Lindenwood University was the right choice for me!”
Thesis” “Women’s Influence in Cerén’s Architecture: Weaving Patterns in Classic Maya Art”
Deniz Martinez, Cross-Cultural Currents and Syncretism
“I will forever be thankful to Lindenwood's Art History & Visual Culture M.A. program for welcoming me into their fold despite my non-traditional background—I came in from the natural sciences field, not art history! —and fully supporting my interest in focusing on animal iconography research within the framework of their degree program. The research that was nurtured at Lindenwood continues to grow and evolve, and has even led to a presentation at an international conference and a publication! Likewise, I made some wonderful connections with classmates and faculty that have continued post-graduation. Having online program options is also so important from an accessibility standpoint, and so I am also grateful to the university for supporting equal access and helping those of us who for various reasons could not attend an in-person program obtain our degrees. Thank you, Lindenwood!”
Thesis: “Cross-cultural Currents and Syncretism in Early Modern Opossum Iconography”
Fernando Mejia, A Proposal for a Survey of American Art History Course
“The faculty that taught my classes in the M.A. in Art History and Visual Culture program were friendly, supportive, and instrumental in developing my research interests in every successive class. I felt that each professor prepared me for my culminating project, and they were willing to assist me throughout all stages of my research. I am empowered and prepared to succeed after my academic experience. Thank you!”
Thesis: “A Proposal for a Survey of American Art History Course: An Intersectional Approach”
Monica Mitchell-Werp, Catch Me If You Can
“I am honored to share my experience with Lindenwood’s Art History and Visual Cultural graduate program. I received a high-level synergy of lectures and scholarly journal articles alongside invaluable student/professor engagement. As a result, I built upon my academic foundation with the program’s comprehensive art historical scholarship and refined my analytical skills. From my success at Lindenwood, my opportunities have taken me to Queen Mary University of London’s Art, Business, and Law LL.M. program and UNIDROIT’s cultural heritage research project in Rome. I am forever grateful for my pedagogical experience at Lindenwood.”
Kim Pokorny, The Feminine Renaissance
“My experience in the Art History program at Lindenwood was inspiring and full of connection. The courses were in depth and the community was supportive. I met many of my classmates and professors at art events throughout my stint in the program and felt constantly inspired to be a part of the field.”
Thesis: “The Feminine Renaissance: Examining the Implications of Disegno”
Tracie Sykes, Art Curriculum Lesson Plan
“I cannot say enough about the wonderful experience I had while obtaining my Master's degree at Lindenwood! My professors were the BEST! They all cheered me on throughout the entire process! #LindenwoodGraduateandProud”
Thesis: “Art Curriculum Lesson Plan: Horace Pippin’s World War I Journal”
Required Equipment
This art history master's degree program has immersive reality technologies integrated throughout the curriculum and requires use of a virtual reality headset identified by the department and associated applications. Immersive realities, such as virtual reality, provide a fully immersive educational experience that leads to greater engagement and understanding of subjects covered in classes. Students are not only able to engage with the material, other students, and their instructor; they also can better understand the context of those relationships while immersed in the virtual environment. These experiences support the learning outcomes for the program and prepare students for use of these technologies in their professions. This degree uses entirely Open Educational Resources or no-cost textbooks.