About the College

Initially, the major in Art and Design requires a solid grounding in the foundations of the creative disciplines. As part of the core curriculum program, students are encouraged to take courses which will establish their interest in and dedication to the pursuit of the major before they apply to enter the major. All majors in Art and Design complete courses that provide the foundation for all specializations. From these foundation courses, students branch into the major of their choice. Students from all majors intermingle in courses, providing a rich learning environment as their projects are developed, critiqued, and exhibited. Three culminating efforts provide the framework within which fourth-year students mature as artists or designers: the internship, the Senior Project, and the Senior Exhibition, which grows out of the Senior Project. The internship provides a career- related, experience-centered professional work opportunity from which students gain skills training and professional life experience. The Senior Project, while taking on a variety of forms, records their culminating skills, process, and research. The goal of the process is for the student to create a body of work that demonstrates growth as an artist/designer, thinker, and new member of the artistic and professional community. The Senior Exhibition provides an opportunity for a group show in a public venue, which gives students public recognition for their work. In addition to academic and studio work, art students participate in field trips to museums, galleries, design firms/agencies archeological and architectural sites and become involved in various University events and other activities which demonstrate their versatility and competence. The curriculum for the major in Art and Design has been developed to be consistent with the accreditation standards of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in the United States.