Visual Arts

Express your ideas and share them with the world through visual arts. Encompassing elements from art history, fine arts, photography and visual communication design, visual arts presents opportunities for you to create, influence and preserve the world around you through your own perceptions and understanding.

Program Overview

Our Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in visual arts is a flexible program emphasizing a broad liberal arts education with supportive studies from all areas of the Department of Visual Arts. The visual arts program links foundation courses and experiences throughout the program, and you’ll find a creative and thoughtful balance between traditional practices and new technologies. Special attention is given to the development of art and design related skills and processes; concepts and contexts; critical thinking; values of art and design; and the ability to relate all concepts to the wider context of a liberal arts education.

As a visual arts major, you can study ancient works, hone your camera skills or create publications for your own fictional company. You will take visual arts foundation courses, with additional course work at the 200 level and six hours of upperlevel art history courses. Studio and art history courses will make up 35 to 40 percent of your degree work, and electives are structured to expand your knowledge of the field. You are also encouraged to add a minor or second major within another discipline.

In order to prepare you for work in our global society, you will also complete a language requirement. You may satisfy the requirement by taking a proficiency examination, completing an intermediate-level language course or participating in an approved education abroad experience.

Through two capstone classes in your final year, you will complete a senior research project designed to explore issues within the visual arts major, as well as the larger context of your educational experience.

In addition to the B.A. in visual arts, the Department of Visual Arts offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees in art education, fine arts, photography and visual communication design, and a B.A. in art history.

The visual arts program resides within the Department of Visual Arts and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

For more information, visit the Department of Visual Arts website.