Art
Choose Art History or Visual Arts with ceramics, painting, design, and more for a career in museums, galleries, or grad school.
Art, Visual Arts Concentration, B.S./B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Art provide a liberal arts foundation in the visual arts. These degrees emphasize broad exposure, critical inquiry, and contextual understanding rather than intensive professional studio specialization. They are suitable for students interested in fields such as art history, arts administration, art therapy, exhibition design, or art criticism, as well as those planning to pursue graduate studies in related academic disciplines.
Each student completes coursework across a range of visual art areas, including ceramics, painting, printmaking, sculpture, graphic design, and book arts, as well as art history and general education requirements. Faculty members foster critical and creative thinking, supporting the development of visual literacy, clear communication, and problem-solving skills.
These liberal arts degrees differ from the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), which is the professional degree intended for students seeking intensive, advanced studio training in preparation for professional artistic practice or graduate study in a studio art discipline.
Within the B.A./B.S. in Art, students may choose a concentration in Art History or Visual Arts. The Visual Arts concentration emphasizes breadth of studio experience rather than specialization. Graduates may pursue a variety of art-related or interdisciplinary career paths or continue their education in graduate programs aligned with their academic interests.
News Briefs
Governor’s School at MTSU gives high schoolers platform for creation, college credit
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s campus has been bustling with creative activity this summer as almost 300 rising 11th and 12th graders from across the state showcased their artistic skills at this year’s recently concluded Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.[ Read More ]
News Briefs
Governor’s School at MTSU gives high schoolers platform for creation, college credit
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s campus has been bustling with creative activity this summer as almost 300 rising 11th and 12th graders from across the state showcased their artistic skills at this year’s recently concluded Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.[ Read More ]
Art, Visual Arts Concentration, B.S./B.A.
Students studying Visual Arts may pursue careers as visual artists or may consider a variety of occupations, including art therapy, arts administration, exhibition design, or art criticism. Examples of fields include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Advertising
- Animation
- Appraisal
- Architecture
- Art teacher
- Art therapy
- Artist
- Art conservation/preservation / restoration
- Art criticism
- Art dealing
- Arts management
- Arts administration
- Auctioneering /collecting
- Curation
- Exhibit design
- Fashion illustration
- Filmmaking
- Game designing
- Historical research
- Librarianship
Employers of MTSU alumni:
Art graduates find professional opportunities at a variety of entities; some individuals choose to continue their studies in graduate school. Examples of both are listed below:
- Academy Street Studio
- Aradani Studios
- CapTeeVation
- Contemporary Painters
- Cumberland Gallery
- For Art’s Sake Studios
- Frist Center for the Visual Arts
- Grand Adventure Comics
- Moxie Art Supply
- Rosewalker Design
Graduate schools
- Pratt Institute.
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- California College of the Arts
- Memphis College of Art
- University of Connecticut
- University of Iowa
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Public Accountability Notice
MTSU is an accredited institutional member of NASAD, National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
To see data about the program, please visit this webpage: https://planeffectiveness.mtsu.edu/art_bfa/.
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