The M.A. and Ph.D. programs of the Department of Art History at the University of Delaware provide study in the history of art from ancient to modern times, with special strengths in Western European and American Art. The facilities of the University Gallery on campus enable students to study original works of art and to organize special exhibitions. The department has a cooperative program with the Department of Art History and Archeology at Bryn Mawr College and also with the Department of the History of Art, University of Pennsylvania; graduate students enrolled at each institution may take courses at the other without additional fees.

Faculty and graduate students biannually organize a Symposium on American Art, which draws a national audience. In alternate years, the European Art Symposium brings to campus a group or series of scholars focused on a theme, artist, or historical period. The departmental Graduate Student Symposium allows students to work with faculty to polish and present their own scholarly work annually to the faculty, students, and the public.