Where Our Students Go

Because of its emphasis on precise observation, description, and clear expression, majoring in Art, Art History, and/or Visual & Media Studies will provide you with an excellent preparation for a wide range of careers. Some of our Art History majors pursue graduate degrees as preparation for careers in teaching and museums, some of our Art majors earn Masters of Fine Arts and become practicing artists. A number of students have trained as architects, urban planners, or landscape architects. Some have been able to combine their interests in art with other professions, specializing as legal advisors to museums, dealers, or private and corporate collectors. Others have become involved in arts management for private, local, or federal agencies, or serve as consultants who advise individuals and businesses in purchasing art collections. A number of former students have also received further training for careers in restoration and conservation, as well as architectural preservation. Many have gone on to work in medicine, law, and business.

There are opportunities for you to gain experience in some of these professions even before graduation. Internships are available at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University and the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. A number of students have also arranged for internships in galleries and museums during the summer. Since a career in teaching or in a museum presupposes a love of research, students with a strong academic record are encouraged to apply for a number of fellowship possibilities that offer the opportunity for study abroad, such as the Rhodes, Marshall, and Fulbright fellowships, or a Benenson Prize.

Read Profiles of Our Alumni