Declaring the Major | Progressing in the Major
Description of the Major
Studio Art is a major offered by the School of Art & Art History, a program within the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
The school discerns five distinct goals for the teaching of art at JMU: 1) to prepare future professional artists and designers; 2) to educate future art historians and museum specialists with a global perspective on the visual arts; 3) to develop and license future elementary and secondary art teachers; 4) to enrich the general education of non-art majors; 5) to supply professional instruction in the visual arts for students who wish to enrich their education by studying art as a second major or minor.
To meet these goals the School of Art and Art History offers the following three undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science. The Bachelor of Arts degree offers majors in art history and studio art. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree offers a major in studio art with three areas of emphasis: general fine arts, graphic design, and interior design. The Bachelor of Science degree offers a major in studio art and two areas of emphasis: general fine arts and industrial design.
Teaching licensure in art is available as part of all degree programs. Students enrolled in art education coursework are exposed to both theoretical and practical issues related to comprehensive art education delivery. In addition to intensive art education methods coursework, students participate in three practicum experiences designed for elementary, middle and high school levels.
A minimum of 120 credits is required for all degrees. There are special admission requirements, including a portfolio review, to become an art major. Students should contact the School of Art and Art History for more information. A student may also declare a minor in Studio Art.
JMU Studio Areas of Emphasis:
General Fine Arts (Painting and Drawing, 3D Computer Animation, Sculpture, Ceramics, Fiber and Weaving, Metals and Jewelry, Printmaking, Photography, and Industrial Design), Graphic Design, and Interior Design. Teacher Licensure, PK–12, is offered in conjunction with all studio art areas.
Degrees Offered
B.A.
B.F.A.
General Fine Arts Emphasis
Graphic Design Emphasis
Interior Design Emphasis
Teaching Licensure with the Studio Art Degrees
B.S.
Concentrations
Studio Art
Industrial Design
Minors
Art
Declaring the Major
New Freshmen and Transfer Students
Entering Freshmen
Declare the art major when you sign up for orientation or prior to the first day of classes.
Entering Transfer Students
Submit a portfolio of your work one semester in advance of when you plan to enroll. Portfolio review dates are posted on the School of Art and Art History website, www.jmu.edu/art.
Currently Enrolled Major Changers
Submit a portfolio of your work. Portfolio review dates are posted on the School of Art and Art History website, www.jmu.edu/art.
Declaring Studio Art
Admission requirements for this major:
A portfolio review is not required, but highly recommended, for prospective freshmen. The school hosts on-campus Portfolio Review Days in November and January. Faculty members also attend the National Portfolio Review at the Corcoran in Washington DC in December. Incoming freshmen may declare studio art as their major at any time prior to the first day of classes in August.
Currently enrolled students who wish to change their major to art must submit a portfolio for review by faculty members. Reviews are held in October and February in advance of registration for the following semester. If accepted, the student’s major is changed and they are allowed to register for art classes. For current information about the portfolio review process and the application form, please go to www.jmu.edu/art and select Undergraduate Transfer or Change of Major.
In addition to the requirements listed above, those majoring in studio art with an emphasis in graphic design or interior design must pass GRPH 208 or INDE 208, a portfolio review required for enrollment in classes at the upper division. The class may be repeated once if the student does not pass the first time.
Note: Studio Art, Graphic and Interior Design courses are restricted to art/art history majors only.
Progressing in the Major
Remain in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
Entering the Art Education Licensure Program
New Freshmen and Transfer Students
To pursue teacher licensure in art education, you should declare an Art major (see the “Declaring Studio Art” section above) and contact the Art Education coordinator Dr. Katherine Schwartz, 217 Duke Hall.
Currently Enrolled Major changers
Declare an Art major (see the “Declaring Studio Art” section above) and contact the Art Education coordinator Dr. Katherine Schwartz, 217 Duke Hall.
You must be admitted to the teacher licensure program. For information about admission to the teacher licensure program, click here
