Canvas to Career: Paint Your Path to Success in Millersville's Art & Design Department
Degrees: B.Des., B.S.E., B.A.
Turn your artistic talents into a career at Millersville University’s Department of Art and Design.
Utilize your talents in the study of ceramics, fine art metals, interactive and graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture. From our extensive art history library and expansive studios to state-of-the-art computer labs for graphic and interactive design, each of our art and design degree programs offers the tools and resources to advance your knowledge and build a successful portfolio.
Many of our graduates find employment in artistic industries and education, while others continue to renowned graduate programs. Under the guidance of our dedicated faculty, who are recognized experts in their respective fields, you'll gain confidence, knowledge and skills for a successful art career in fine arts, art education or graphic and interactive design.
As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), our Department of Art & Design offers a diverse range of bachelor's, master's and certification programs tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. You'll graduate with a Bachelor of Art (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) or Bachelor of Design (B.Des.).
What Will You Learn in Art and Design Programs?
Your course load within the art and design program will be completely dependent on your selected degree path.
Students who choose the Bachelor of Art (B.A.) path will pursue a traditional liberal arts degree. While developing intellectual and creative strengths, you can plan for a future career within the learning context of the visual arts.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree provides students with the extensive preparation needed to establish art-related businesses such as selling through art and craft shows, opening their own galleries, launching their own graphic and interactive design agencies or working as independent artists.
The Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) in K-12 Art Education is one of our many renowned education programs. With Pennsylvania’s extremely high standards for teacher preparation, our graduates are heavily recruited both regionally and nationally.
The newest degree within Millersville University's Art & Design department is the Bachelor of Design (B.Des.), which aims to more accurately reflect the experiences and skills of students who progress through the current interactive and graphic design curriculum. Courses within that curriculum include experience design, kinetic design, web design, basic coding, interactive design and traditional graphic design.
Areas of Study in Art and Design
Our four art and design programs include:
“At Millersville — the classes they teach and what they put into their curriculum helps me make smarter choices and develop my style and my messages in my work”
- Blake Showers | BSE, Art Education
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What Can You Do With Art and Design Degrees?
There is a wide variety of art careers you can pursue with a degree from one of our art and design programs.
Our graduates have worked as:
- Multimedia artists
- Animators
- Fine artists
- Art directors
- Art therapists
- Print makers
Art education graduates have gone on to careers as:
- Art teacher
- Youth education director
- Art camp coordinator
- Museum educator
Interactive and graphic design graduates have started their careers as:
- Interactive designer
- Illustrator
- Video game designer
- Graphic designer
- Web designer
- Digital publication designer
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Exceptional Experiences: Art and Design Programs
At Millersville, we prepare you for art careers in each of our art and design programs. Other benefits of studying here include:
Facilities and Location
Our art and design facilities house our offices and lecture hall, but more importantly, they are home to everything you need for your craft, including:
- Sculpture studio
- Sykes Gallery and Swift Gallery
- Art education studio
- Final art metals studio
- Interactive and graphic design computer lab
- Printmaking studio
- Two-dimensional design studio
- Drawing studio
- Painting studio
- Photography studio/computer lab
Additionally, we are located just minutes away from Lancaster City, a hub for theater, arts and culture. You will find restaurants and galleries, including the Ware Center and the Susan C. & Gerald C. Eckert Art Gallery.
If you love the outdoors, we have a number of recreation spaces, including trails for walking, hiking or biking and water sports on the Susquehanna River. There is no shortage of spots to swim, cave and hang out near the Ville.
Internships
We encourage you to get experiential learning and job contacts through internships. Our students have interned at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City; regional museums and galleries such as the Demuth Museum; highly respected design firms, including Atomic; and with area artistic production firms such as Mio Studios.
Clubs and Organizations
Clubs and student organizations provide opportunities to expand your art horizons through guest lecturers, visiting artist presentations, field trips to major art events and museums, and regional and national conferences. Our art organizations include:
- AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)
- Art Club
- Jewelry and Metal Arts Guild
- Slip & Score Society
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