Majors, Minors and Programs
Bachelor of Arts in Art
The Bachelor of Arts in Art provides a flexible studio-based education for students who want to develop deeply as artists while also taking advantage of Xavier's broader liberal arts curriculum. Students build a strong foundation in drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, art history, and studio practice before developing an advisor-approved area of concentration.
The 56-credit-hour major includes extensive opportunities for electives, allowing students to shape their studies around areas such as painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, printmaking, fibers, illustration, and other studio practices. The program culminates in a two-semester Senior Concentration in which students develop an advanced body of creative work.
The B.A. is particularly well suited for students interested in combining art with another major or minor, pursuing interdisciplinary interests, or preparing for careers and graduate study that benefit from both intensive creative practice and a broad liberal arts education.
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Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art is Xavier's most intensive studio art degree and is designed for students who want art to be the primary focus of their undergraduate education. The 74-credit-hour program provides substantially more studio experience than the B.A., giving students the time and space to develop advanced technical skills, a distinctive artistic voice, and a professional-quality portfolio.
Students begin with foundational studies in drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, and art history before pursuing extensive studio electives and an advisor-approved concentration. Sophomore Review, Junior Seminar, and a two-semester Senior Concentration provide important milestones as students progress through the program.
The B.F.A. is especially appropriate for students preparing for professional studio practice, creative careers, or graduate study leading to the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.).
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Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design prepares students to become creative visual communicators who can work across print, digital, interactive, and emerging media. Grounded in the traditions of art and design, the program combines conceptual problem-solving with contemporary technologies and professional practice.
Students study typography, photography, packaging, web design, new media, technology for artists, and the history of graphic design while developing a strong foundation in drawing and two- and three-dimensional design. Students can further shape their education through electives and professional experiences.
Throughout the program, students develop a dynamic portfolio demonstrating creative thinking, technical ability, and visual sophistication. Mentoring, internships, portfolio reviews, and connections with working professionals help prepare graduates for careers in graphic design and the rapidly changing creative industries.
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Bachelor of Arts in 3D Animation & Immersive Game Design
The Bachelor of Arts in 3D Animation & Immersive Game Design combines art, design, technology, and storytelling to prepare students for the rapidly evolving worlds of game development, 3D animation, immersive media, and interactive experiences.
Students begin with foundations in drawing, two- and three-dimensional design, and technology before progressing through courses in game design and theory, 3D modeling and animation, environment art, advanced animation and game design, and VR, mobile, and software development. Coursework in computer science and audio production complements the studio curriculum and gives students experience working across disciplines.
Students can further customize the degree through electives in areas such as digital art, illustration, sculpture, graphic design, software development, emerging technology, and entrepreneurship. Internship and practicum experiences, along with a two-semester Senior Concentration, give students opportunities to apply their skills to ambitious professional and creative projects.
The program emphasizes both how games and immersive experiences are made and why they matter, preparing students to become thoughtful creators working at the intersection of art, technology, storytelling, and human experience.
View the 3D Animation & Immersive Game Design Program
Art Minor
The Art Minor allows students from across Xavier to incorporate sustained creative study into their undergraduate education. The 18-credit-hour minor begins with foundational coursework in two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, followed by studio courses selected according to the student's interests.
Students can explore areas such as ceramics, drawing, fibers, graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and other studio practices. The minor is an excellent complement to majors across the humanities, sciences, business, communication, education, and technology.
Art History Minor
The Art History Minor gives students the opportunity to study art, architecture, visual culture, and their relationships to history and society. Through coursework spanning different periods, cultures, and approaches to visual analysis, students develop skills in critical observation, research, writing, and interpretation.
The 18-credit-hour minor combines art history coursework with an art elective, allowing students to connect the study of visual culture with either additional art history or hands-on studio experience.
Courses for Non-Majors
You do not need to be an Art major to make art at Xavier. The Department of Art offers a wide range of courses open to students from across the University, including courses that fulfill Xavier's Creative Explorations requirement.
Art HistoryCeramics
Drawing
Fibers
Game Design
Graphic Design
Illustration
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Technology for Artists
The Art Experience
The Aesthetic Experience
Web Design