The Department of Art provides a sequence of foundation and advanced level courses directed toward the development of the students creative and expressive abilities.
Degrees offered are the Bachelor of Fine Arts-Studio, Bachelor of Arts-Art/Studio, Bachelor of Arts-Art/History, and the Bachelor of Science in Education-Art Education. Minors in Art History and Art Studio are also offered.
Graduate degrees offered include the Master of Arts (M.A.) and the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.).
The Bachelor of Fine Arts-Studio degree prepares students for careers as professional visual artists and is a platform from which they might go on to study for the Master of Fine Arts level, the terminal degree in the field. The Bachelor of Fine Arts-Studio degree offers three studio emphasis tracks: the Two-dimensional Emphasis Track (including: drawing, graphic design, painting, and printmaking), the Three-dimensional Emphasis Track (including: ceramics, fibers, metals, sculpture, and wood and furniture design), and the Individualized Studio Emphasis Track (in which students are able to build a degree program to meet specialized individual needs).
The Bachelor of Arts-Art/Studio offers students a choice between a broad range of advanced studio options and a very specialized emphasis in only one studio area.
The mission of the Bachelor of Arts-Art/History degree is to provide art history majors with a solid foundation in the history of art, from ancient through modern times. The degree prepares students for graduate study leading to careers in museums, galleries, fine art libraries, visual resources, teaching, and research. Specific goals, objectives, and competencies related to this degree include the acquisition and demonstration of critical thinking, research, and writing skills; knowledge of terminology, methodology, and competency with various approaches to art historical inquiry; and the ability to conduct art history research through independent investigations.
The Bachelor of Science in Education-Art Education degree is a professional degree program leading to certification to teach K–12 art in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The program reflects contemporary theory and practice in art studio, art history, criticism, aesthetics, culture, and pedagogy. The program complies with all Pennsylvania standards needed for certification to teach art in the commonwealth.
