The Major and the Minor in the Art History programs provide an excellent foundation in the history of international modern and contemporary art, curatorial and museum studies, and their critical and theoretical discourses. The University of Ottawa's professors emphasize an interdisciplinary approach with perspectives drawn from aesthetics and philosophy, as well as theories of feminism and gender, post-colonialism, identity, globalization, and new technologies.

Students are actively involved in Ottawa's art community through curatorial projects on campus and in the city, site visits to national and municipal art galleries, internships, and class visits from curators, artists, and visiting professors.

Graduates pursue careers as curators and directors at museums and galleries; at arts organizations and foundations; at archives and libraries; as editors or writers for art magazines and other publications; or pursue graduate work in the art history or curatorial studies, among others.