Majors, Minors and Programs
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree students concentrate in one of the 10 areas of concentration. Through a variety of opportunities for directed study and studio experience in each concentration, the student will work toward a strong level of competence. This degree is of special interest to students who wish to pursue more of the other liberal arts disciplines and/or licensure for teaching pre-K through 12th grade art.
Students wishing to receive a B.A. in art must complete 52 semester hours in art with 40 of those hours distributed in studio courses and 12 in history of art courses. 2D/3D Design and Drawing I are required foundation courses. Participation in Freshman Seminar and Senior Seminar is mandatory and may be used to satisfy part of the history of art requirements. Extended experience (minimum of three semesters) in one area leading to a senior concentration and exhibition (if the concentration is in a studio area) is also necessary. Students who concentrate in art education complete 28 hours in education licensure courses in addition to the hours required in art.
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Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree is distinguished from the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree by its intensity, structure, and required number of hours in art. It is a "higher" degree than the B.A. and acknowledges the fact that its recipient has experienced a deeper involvement in art.
Students pursuing a B.F.A. degree must complete 73 semester hours in art with 58 of those hours well distributed in studio courses and 15 in history of art courses. 2D/3D Design and Drawing I are required foundation courses. Participation in Freshman and Senior Seminars is mandatory and may be used to satisfy part of the history of art requirements. Extended experience (18 credit hours) in one area leading to a senior concentration and exhibition (if the concentration is in a studio area) is also necessary.
Since the B.F.A. degree requires a greater depth of study, many students seek to reduce their course load overall through testing out of core liberal arts courses and/or by attending summer school. The B.F.A. degree is usually a prerequisite for acceptance into a M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) degree program.
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Bachelor of Graphic Design
Graphic Design is the process of visual problem-solving on a 2D surface. The field of Graphic Design continues to grow and become a powerful force in the creation of our contemporary society and culture. The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design provides students the techniques, processes, aesthetics, and creative approaches of Graphic Design, all from a fine arts perspective. Students are prepared with dynamic portfolios that show a range of innovative thinking, technical prowess, and aesthetics sensibility. Real-world experiences in the form of mentoring, portfolio reviews, and internships enable the students to be competitive designers.
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Art Minor
The Department of Art offers minors in studio or art history. The Studio Art Minor requires 18 hours of art courses including 2D and 3D Design, with the remaining 12 hours dispersed among beginning and/or advanced studio classes of the students' choosing in the following: ceramics, drawing, fibers, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The Art History Minor requires 18 hours: the art history courses of ARTS 113, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 280 and 3 hours of art electives (either studio or art history). A minimum of grade C- must be attained in all art courses to count toward the minor.
Arts Administration Minor (XAAP)
The mission of the Xavier Arts Administration Program (XAAP) minor is to teach students how to carry out administrative responsibilities in diverse arts and cultural organizations. The XAAP minor consists of five three-credit hour classes, totaling fifteen credit hours to complete. No prerequisite courses are required.
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Courses for Non Majors
Courses in these areas are available to fulfill the Creative Perspectives requirement.
Art HistoryCeramics
Drawing
Fibers
Graphic Design
Illustration
Intro to Arts Administration
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Technology for Artists
The Art Experience
The Aesthetic Experience
Web Design