Southern Utah University offers students two specialized on-campus bachelor's degree paths through its Department of Filmmaking, Art, and Design, providing options for both general art studies and specialized art education. The university provides both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in art, alongside a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education designed to prepare students for professional careers and teaching licensure.
Comprehensive Art Curricula
The standard art program at Southern Utah University, housed within the College of Performing and Visual Arts, provides students with a comprehensive curriculum. Students can pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree through a curriculum that encompasses drawing, photography, design, and art history.
Diverse Course Offerings
The coursework for art majors includes a variety of subjects intended to hone skills in research, studio work, analysis, history, and technology. Specific available courses include fundamental and advanced drawing, photography principles, dimensional design, digital art tools, art history, 20th century art, and contemporary art.
Professional Career Paths
Graduates of the SUU art program find professional opportunities across several sectors. According to data gathered by the SUU Career Center, alumni have been hired by a variety of organizations, including the Southern Utah Museum of Art, the San Juan School District, and Southern Utah University itself. Other employers include Walmart, TJ Maxx, and MBi Nutraceuticals in Utah, as well as Disney in California and Beijing Max Technology.co in China.
Industry and Non-Profit Roles
Beyond traditional studio roles, art majors can pursue careers as curators or administrators in museums, designers or promoters in galleries, and creative directors or project managers in advertising and marketing agencies. The curriculum also prepares students to serve as critique writers and advocates for educational programming or non-profit projects.
Specialized Art Education
The Art Education program at Southern Utah University focuses on a specialized curriculum that integrates art and design with art history and instructional methods. This Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program is designed to prepare students for secondary level licensure, specifically for grades 7 through 12.
Teaching and Licensure Options
Students in the Art Education program have the opportunity to complete their degree with a minimum of 120 credit hours. The program utilizes a three-pronged approach that includes K-12 teaching, museum education, and art therapy. While the primary focus is secondary education, students may also pursue endorsements to teach at the elementary level (grades K-6) or explore careers in art therapy and museum education.
Student Engagement and Professional Development
The Art Education program is noted for its active student involvement. Students frequently visit and teach in local classrooms and participate in the university's student chapter of the National Art Education Association. Members of this chapter attend the annual spring conference of the Utah Art Education Association, while senior members also travel to the national convention.
