B.F.A. in Art

The Art degrees offered by the School of Art, Design, and Art History prepare students to pursue the professional production and exhibition of their own art or more in-depth study at the graduate school level.

The art major allows students to develop a visual vocabulary, foster a deeper understanding of the formal visual relationships present in the art and design process, enhance their aesthetic awareness of art forms, and to promote the competency to independently seek further professional growth.

The Art major requires 120 credit hours of undergraduate course work, including 78 credit hours in art, art history, and art-related courses.

The art faculty is made up of practicing artists who work closely with the students, and students also work closely with each other as they develop their studio practice. Visiting artists and scholars, workshops, field trips and frequent on-campus exhibitions of professional artwork enhance student engagement with contemporary art. Additionally, students have opportunities to exhibit and present their artwork, assist in running on-campus galleries and studio art labs, and to partake in other hands-on art experiences.

We know that success requires equal parts intellect and action. At JMU, that’s what Being the Change is all about.

When students graduating from James Madison University proudly walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, they’re more than just educated. They’re members of a fellowship of doers. They know how to make things happen. They’ve honed their ability to think critically. They’ve learned the importance of a strong work ethic and they’ve become committed to and skilled at collaborating with others. Diplomas in hand, they leave campus determined to live lives of meaning and pursue careers of purpose.

Only two hours from Washington D.C., JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education. That’s because students enjoy unusually engaged relationships with world-class faculty who are at JMU because they want to pursue knowledge and teach talented students.

JMU students, faculty and alumni are using equal parts intellect and action to succeed in every sort of pursuit: they’re boosting innovation and discovery, leading in business, advancing culture, improving health care, reforming education, renewing civil society, competing in athletics — they’re Being the Change in every imaginable way.