Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design

The Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design is a degree program offered by the College of Art & Design, designed to provide students with a broad education in the study of art. This program allows students to combine their visual arts education with another area of study, focusing on core art elements, including a survey of arts, foundation classes in design, drawing, and composition.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design is based on a liberal arts model, aiming to prepare students to contribute to a range of hybrid industries upon graduating, such as:

• Animation
• Games
• Computer graphics
• Video production
• Web design
• Digital fabrication
• Visual development in architecture and interior design
• Art therapy
• Art education
• Entrepreneurship
• Interface design
• Apparel design

Concentration in Art History

The College of Art & Design also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design with a concentration in art history. This curriculum is designed for students interested in the visual arts, exploring the historical dimension of art. The program provides opportunities for students to explore the connections between contemporary artistic production and historical sources, both visual and written.

Goals of the Concentration in Art History

The purpose of the concentration in art history is to encourage students to develop:

• A broadly based understanding of the visual arts throughout time, from prehistory to the present, and across geographic regions and globally diverse cultures
• A taste and capacity for engaging with primary sources, both written and visual, in conducting research into works of art and their historical, socio-political, and economic contexts
• A familiarity with critical thinking and methodologies in the approach to the study of cultural artifacts and in the understanding of the discipline of art history

Career Opportunities

This degree will help students imagine themselves as visual art specialists, preparing them for careers in:

• Research
• Academia
• The art world
• Art therapy
• Art education
• Graduate programs in visual and media studies

Comparison to BFA Degree

The Bachelor of Arts is a more general art and design degree. Unlike the BFA, the BA does not require selecting a concentration; instead, students take a custom mix of art and design classes that integrate their interests across any area(s) within the School, and beyond. This degree is 30-40% studio-based and requires that students also pursue an "approved course of study" after the second year, planned with an advisor to assure a meaningful and relevant set of classes.

BA Curriculum Breakdown

The BA degree includes numerous free electives, allowing students to earn a minor and/or double major. This flexibility enables students to tailor the degree to their different interests. The curriculum is designed to provide a balanced education, combining studio work with academic studies, and preparing students for a wide range of career paths.