COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art with an Art Emphasis is a flexible 120-credit-hour degree designed for students who want broad artistic training while combining art studies with another academic field through a required minor or certificate outside art and design. The program includes 56 credit hours of art and art history coursework, and students must earn a grade of C or higher in all major courses. The curriculum begins with foundation studies in art and design, including two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design, drawing, and a Mid-Program Review that evaluates students’ progress before they advance to higher-level coursework. Students build a strong understanding of visual culture through art history courses covering historical, contemporary, and material culture topics, including upper-level studies that develop critical analysis and research skills. The program provides broad exposure to multiple artistic disciplines through distribution requirements in two-dimensional media, three-dimensional media, digital arts, and design. Students choose from courses such as photography, life drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, digital studio practices, graphic design, typography, interactive design, and book production, allowing them to develop a diverse creative skill set. Advanced coursework includes Studio Tools and Presentation, additional upper-level art courses, and electives that support individual artistic and professional interests. A distinctive feature of the degree is the required minor or certificate in a discipline outside the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries, enabling students to combine art with areas such as business, education, communication, psychology, marketing, history, or other fields. This interdisciplinary approach enhances career flexibility and broadens professional opportunities. Additional major electives allow students to further customize their academic experience according to their goals. The program emphasizes creative thinking, technical proficiency, visual communication, problem-solving, and professional development while encouraging students to build a strong portfolio of work. Graduates are prepared for careers in visual arts, design, arts administration, galleries, museums, community arts organizations, marketing, creative industries, and education, while also establishing a strong foundation for graduate study. The combination of artistic training, interdisciplinary learning, and practical experience equips students with versatile skills applicable across a wide range of professional and creative fields.