The Art Department offers the following undergraduate degrees:

Bachelor of Fine Arts
The mission of the B.F.A. program at Eastern Michigan University is to provide students in art and design with an environment that fosters creative work and research, excellence in teaching, and a department-wide focus on student-centered learning. The B.F.A. is a professional degree and students are expected to develop personal focus and direction as well as learn to function professionally as artists.  Students are provided with studio experiences, lecture courses, and the opportunity to participate in learning activities beyond the classroom and professional activities that: promote interest in and knowledge of key issues relating to contemporary and historical artists and art; explore issues of diversity, especially in terms of the art world and its cultural influences and audiences; and develop craftsmanship in traditional media and facility in digital media.  Faculty in the B.F.A. program encourage experimentation, intellectual risk-taking, and critical thinking within the student’s area of study and beyond.

The BFA is a 54-60 hour degree program intended for students who require a more intense studio art experience. The degree is characterized by a foundations block of 5 courses (15 hours), an art history block of 4 courses (12 hours), a concentration of 4 to 6 courses (12 to 18 hours) and restricted art electives (9 to 15 hours). Students may concentrate in the following areas: ceramics, drawing graphic design, jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, watercolor (see Area of Study for additional information). No minor is required with this degree. Degree rquirements.

Bachelor of Arts (Art History)
The mission of the B.A. program at Eastern Michigan University is to provide students with educational support in terms of knowledge and methodology, preparing them with a solid liberals arts training in critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to enter graduate programs or find work in private collections, museums and galleries, and community arts organizations. The B.A. in Art History offers a comprehensive array of classes in different formats on art across cultures and time periods. Faculty teaching in these programs pursue both excellence in teaching and an active agenda of basic research. It is hoped that students will leave the program with an understanding of why and how art is made, and how it visually expresses its cultural context, be it historical or current.

EMU's Art History program studies world cultures and their expressions in the visual arts. Students are encouraged to explore artworks as documents of particular times, places, societies, and individuals. Small upper-level classes allow for lively discussion and individual attention. With a major in art history, you'll find opportunities in community education, private collections, preservation agencies, and libraries. The major may also lead to graduate study in the field or in related fields such as archeology, museum studies or conservation. Degree rquirements.

Bachelor of Science
The mission of the B.S. program at Eastern Michigan University is to provide students with a strong liberal arts education through both studio and art history courses. This program enriches students with knowledge of the disciplines and incorporates an investigation of the tools, media and processes fundamental to art-making.  Students are expected to leave the B.S. program with skills in critical thinking, analysis and evaluation: all building blocks for personal growth and educational excellence.  The B.S. program incorporates studio experiences, lecture courses, cultural events and professional activities that promote interest in and knowledge of key issues relating to contemporary and historical artists and art and explore issues of diversity, especially in terms of the art world and its cultural influences and audiences.

The BS is a 30 hour degree for students. It is characterized by a foundations block of 6 courses (18 hours) and an elective block of 4 courses (12 hourse). In addition, BS students must declare a minor in an are outside the department. Degree requirements.

B.F.A. plus Certification
The mission of the B.F.A. plus certification program at Eastern Michigan University is to prepare future art teachers (K-12) by fostering the development of their creative skills, critical thinking, and understanding of diverse perspectives in art as well as their professional education in teaching art using comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches. The B.F.A. plus certification program introduces students to contemporary visual art education theories and methods that focus on bringing critical, diverse, and meaningful art learning experiences to K-12 classrooms. B.F.A. plus certification correlates its program with the requirements of the BFA and BS programs that build a core foundation through studio experiences and art inquiries that examine the roles of art and of the artist in contemporary and historical societies. The B.F.A. plus certification program supports the department-wide focus on student-centered learning, on excellence in teaching and on meeting the visual arts education state and national teacher preparation standards.

The Visual Arts Education program within the Art Department at EMU introduces students to contemporary issues in the field including art-making, multiculturalism, technology integration and critical thinking. This program addresses key aspects of art teaching in K-12 classrooms with an emphasis on curriculum integration, technology integration, curriculum planning, and contemporary art. A professional, enthusiastic, and committed faculty with a variety of interests and diverse areas of expertise make the overall visual arts education program a dynamic experience. For additional information, visit the Visual Arts Education Website.

For additional information, including course requirements for each degree, visit the EMU Online Catalogs.

For further information about clas schedules visit Course catalogs