Majors, Minors, & Certificates
From Creativity to Career
This program focuses on 3-D/2D animation, motion graphics, film, television, videography, and multi-media design.
This program provides a professional path toward a rewarding career in teaching k-12 in public or private schools.
Art historians may choose to pursue a career as a curator, teacher, conservator, art restorer, museum manager, visual resource curator, and more.
Tracks in ceramics, painting/drawing, printmaking, sculpture, weaving, and a self-designed mix.
Our graphic design program focuses on digital and print design for a well-rounded design portfolio.
UX design is the art of crafting dynamic interactive experience across products, devices, and platforms. UX is most commonly associated with digital design.
Our department offers three majors: the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Arts, a professional arts degree; the Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Visual Studies, a liberal arts degree; and the Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Art History.
This multidisciplinary certificate is designed to complement an existing major in a related field, by providing a background understanding of topics related to the brewing and distilling industries—the science, the business, and the history, as well as an internship—students need to become competitive in the marketplace.
If you grew up passionate about gaming, becoming a professional game designer might be your dream job. But being an avid gamer isn’t enough of a credential to break into the industry. You’ll need to show that you have specific knowledge of game systems and game design, as well as broader awareness of the development process and how major game studios operate.
Turn a gaming passion into a career. Earn a certificate in Game Design at WKU in as little as 2 semesters!
- Animator
- Motion Graphics Artist
- Cartoonist
- Digital Designer
- Character Developer
- Game Designer
- Elementary Art Teacher, Gr. K-6th
- Middle School Art Teacher, 7th - 8th
- High School Art Teacher, 9th - 12th
(P-12 Visual Arts Initial Teaching Certification is obtained through KY EPSB, and reciprocal to most of the U.S.) - College Art Ed Professor
(requires a terminal Ed. D or Ph. D, graduate degree beyond a master's degree) - Art Therapist
(requires a licensure and graduate degree)
- Corporate Art Consultant
- Professor of Art History (requires a graduate degree)
- Art Critic
- Art Restorer
- Antique Specialist
- Art Dealer
- Gallery Director
- Gallery Owner
- Art Historian
- Museum Curator
- Exhibit Designer
- Non-Profit Administration
- Art Sales
- Art Coordinator
- Studio Artist
in disciples such as:
- Ceramics
- Painting
- Illustration
- Weaving
- Printmaking
- Sculpture - Medical Illustrator
- Artist-In-Residence
- Gallery Director or Owner
- Art Museum Curator
- Non-Profit Administration
- Educator (requires a graduate degree)
- Art Therapist
(Reccommended psychology minor with BA Studio Concentration. Requires a licensure and graduate degree)
- Multimedia Designer
- Graphic or Digital Designer
- Art Director
- Creative Director
- Illustrator
- Brand Idenity Designer
- Layout Artist
- UX Designer
- UI (User Interface) Artist
- Web Designer
- Product Designer
- Content Designer
- UX Writer
- Customer/Service Experience Designer
This multidisciplinary certificate is designed to complement an existing major in a related field, by providing a background understanding of topics related to the brewing and distilling industries—the science, the business, and the history, as well as an internship—students need to become competitive in the marketplace.
Students who want to work in the business side of the industry might take a business degree and then the extra coursework for this certificate. People who want to be brewers might take a biology or chemistry degree, while someone interested in supplying the industry might take an agriculture degree, or someone looking to design bottles or labels might take a graphic or industrial design design degree.
Certificates are focused on specific skills and your career outcome will depend on the major or professional experience you are combining the certificate with.
- Game Designer
- Level Designer
- Game Developer
- Animator
- UX Engineer
- Creative or Art Director
Arts & Humanities Courses
ART 105 History of Art to 1300
3 Hours (FALL ONLY)
A selective chronological study of the visual arts from prehistoric through Gothic times. The course is designed as an introduction to the basic terminology and problems of art history and to methods of analyzing and interpreting individual works of art.
ART 106 History of Art Since 1300
3 Hours (SPRING ONLY)
A selective chronological study of the major visual arts from renaissance through modern times.
ART 100 Art Appreciation
3 Hours
An introductory study of the visual arts.
ART 102 Introduction to Making Art & Making Meaning
3 Hours
A hands-on material-specific course for non-art majors. Explores the formal elements, techniques, concepts and vocabulary of visual art through physical manipulation of one or more art materials (for example ceramics, paint, metals, or fibers). Examines art’s central and proactive role in the articulation of culture and its important function in determining societal norms and shifts throughout time.
ART 317 Art and Power
3 Hours
A systematic consideration of the means through which the visual arts embody and promote
ideologies and shape human societies.
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
ART 318 Art and Landscape
3 Hours
Critical examination of the theme of landscape in the visual arts.
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
ART 407 Islamic Art and Architecture 3 Hours
A survey of art and architecture in the Islamic world from 622 through the present day. Colonnade K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
ART 445 American Architectural History 3 Hours
An interdisciplinary survey of American architectural history, including trends and styles, architect designed and manufactured structures and elements, and the social history of American architecture.
Equivalent(s): FLK 445
ART 490 Special Problems 3-6 Hours
Independent course work done on an individual basis under the guidance of a selected faculty member.
ART 491 Special Studies 3 Hours
Independent course work done on an individual basis under the guidance of a selected faculty member.
ART 496 Special Topics in Studio Art 3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Investigates different topics in art through process or technique in a studio practice.
Course Fee: $75
June 5, 2020
Today, on what should be a celebration of the birthday of Breonna Taylor, of Louisville, Kentucky, we instead mourn her death.
It is past time to dismantle the racist structures that continue to create injustices for and claim the lives of Black People, Indigenous People, and People of Color in the United States of America.
The WKU Department of Art & Design stands in support of the statement made by our administration “seeking inclusion and respecting the rights of all people, celebrating and embracing diversity and encouraging freedom of expression.” https://www.wku.edu/caboni/news/index.php?view=article&articleid=8858
Our students, faculty and staff, alumni, and expanded community deserve to feel and be safe, regardless of the color of their skin. We recognize the systemic racist structures that keep this from being true and unite in solidarity to say “no more” to systemic racism and injustice.
There is much work that needs to be done to honor the commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, fairness, and justice, including examining and re-examining our own structures and practices. We know that cultural equity is critical to the long-term viability of the arts, but more importantly, cultural equity is critical to the human experience.
We pledge to do the work needed to fully support our BIPOC students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community. We will elevate your ideas, your voices, and your creativity. You must be heard. We will listen.
And – you must be seen. From established artists to our own young alumni, we will be using our platforms to promote Black artists that the world should know.
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