Career Opportunities

The Art and Design program prepares the student as an artist or a craftsperson. Lecture courses stress research, critical thinking skills, and writing. Studio courses emphasize skills, knowledge of techniques and materials, and processes necessary for creating works of art. Required Portfolio assessments teach students the organizational and prioritizing skills necessary for critical assessment of visual imagery. Student teaching takes place in real world teaching classrooms. Internships that utilize and advance skills students have learned are available in commercially oriented venues. Opportunities for training in gallery procedures and digitizing images for teaching are available also.

The liberal arts orientation of the Art Emphasis makes it an ideal preparatory program for students planning to do advanced or graduate study in art and art history. The Art Education Emphasis focuses on K-12 Teacher Education, preparing students to teach Art and Design in the elementary, middle and secondary schools. Students study art history, art criticism, aesthetics and art production. The Visual Communication Design Emphasis provides preparation for a career in the commercial fields of art, such as graphic design, illustration, advertising, publications, photography and other areas of visual communications. This emphasis provides the opportunity to complete a professional quality placement portfolio.