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Art Major

Earn a degree in general art

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If you are looking for an art school in Missouri, consider studying at SBU. Receiving a general art degree at SBU will teach you how to communicate effectively through a strong foundation in various art mediums including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and ceramics. 

You can specialize your education with an optional studio concentration in either two-dimensional art (drawing/painting) or three-dimensional art (ceramics/sculpture), or combine it with another major or minor.

Many art majors use this general art degree to go on to graduate school to pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in studio art or another graduate degree, including art therapy.

The Art degree is offered through SBU's College of Arts and Sciences. 

Resources

Major Map (PDF)

Degree Plan

9:1
Student to Faculty
ratio

(Benefit from small class sizes with a 9:1 student:faculty ratio, enabling you to receive individualized instruction and guidance.)

Female art student working on painting outside

The SBU Advantage

  • An emphasis on foundational classes taken in the first two years ensures that you develop skills in a variety of art platforms
  • Thrive in the small class sizes that promote individualized instruction and lifelong friendships
  • SBU creates opportunities for you to interact with practicing studio artists and gain exposure to the regional and national art scenes

Faith Integration

SBU's Department of Art is intentional about the integration of Christian faith and academic discipline. You will learn how faith influences how we see the world and how art provides a platform by which we can communicate our faith and worldview. Faith discussions are woven into course material. For example, art history courses examine the impact of Christian history on famous and influential art pieces.

Additionally, you will learn how you can use your God-given artistic abilities to make a difference. At SBU, you will have the opportunity to incorporate art with missions and will be challenged to consider how faith influences art.

Brett Stump
"I can say with confidence that the courses offered at SBU not only gave me the information I need to succeed in my career field, they also equipped me for further learning. The faculty truly care for their students and were always willing to help me out however I needed."
Brett Stump '09
Middle and high school art teacher at El Dorado Springs (Mo.)

Full-Time Faculty

Chadd Caldwell

Chadd Caldwell, Assistant Professor
Grant Cochran

Grant Cochran, Assistant Professor
 

Additional Information for Art Students

Driskill Art Gallery

The University Gallery provides students with hands-on opportunities in curating exhibits, hanging shows and displaying their own work. Additionally, the Driskill Art Gallery hosts regional artists throughout each academic year.

Art Club

Join the SBU Art Club to interact with other art students and participate in extracurricular activities which will enhance your art education.

Scholarships

You may submit an art portfolio to apply for an art performance scholarship.

Additionally, there are several privately funded art scholarships for which you may apply, including the Dunnegan Scholarship and the Earl & Gloria Shell and Sharon Shell Garrison Scholarship.

General Art: Two Dimensional Studio Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

ART 1103 Design 3
ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
ART 1203 Drawing I 3
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

PSY 1013 General Psychology 3
UNI 1121 Introduction to Critical Thinking 1
ART 1013 Introduction to Art 3
ART 2203 Drawing II 3
ART 2703 Introduction to Graphic Design 3
ART 2033 Painting I 3
Total hours 16
 

Sophomore

Fall Semester

ART 3003 Life Drawing 3
ART 2803 Art History I 3
ART 3033 Painting II 3
COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation  2
MAT 1143 College Algebra 3
Total hours 17

Spring Semester

ART 2003 Photography I 3
BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
ART 2023 Sculpture I 3
BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
ART 2813 Art History II 3
Total hours 16
 

Junior

Fall Semester

ART 3103 Printmaking 3
CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
ART 2013 Ceramics I 3
ART 3323 Photography II 3
ART 3603/3203 Advanced Painting  or Drawing Studio I 3
  Cultural Studies Elective 2
Total hours 17

Spring Semester

PHS 1004 Introduction to Physical Science 4
ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
ART 3723 Digital Imaging Concepts 3
ART 3613/3213 Advanced Painting or Drawing Studio II 3
  Elective 3
Total hours 16
 

Senior

Fall Semester

ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
ART 4603/4203 Advanced Painting or Drawing Studio III 3
  Elective 3
  Elective 2
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

ART 4001 Senior Seminar 1
ART 4613/4214 Advanced Painting or Drawing Studio IV 3
  Elective 3
  Elective 3
  Elective 3
  Elective 3
Total hours 16

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.
Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation.
The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

Download in PDF format:
General Art: 2D Studio Concentration Plan (PDF)

 

General Art: Three Dimensional Studio Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

ART 1103 Design 3
ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
ART 2013 Ceramics I 3
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

ART 1203 Drawing I 3
PSY 1013 General Psychology 3
UNI 1121 Introduction to Critical Thinking 1
ART 1013 Introduction to Art 3
ART 2023 Sculpture I 3
ART 2703 Introduction to Graphic Design 3
Total hours 16
 

Sophomore

Fall Semester

ART 2203 Drawing II 3
ART 2803 Art History I 3
ART 3013 Ceramics II 3
COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
MAT 1143 College Algebra 3
Total hours 17

Spring Semester

ART 2033 Painting I 3
ART 3023 Sculpture II 3
BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
ART 2813 Art History II 3
ART 3403 Advanced Ceramics I 3
Total hours 16
 

Junior

Fall Semester

ART 3033 Painting II 3
ART 3003 Life Drawing 3
ART 3103 Printmaking 3
BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
ART 3413 Advanced Ceramics II 3
  Cultural Studies Elective 2
Total hours 17

Spring Semester

PHS 1004 Introduction to Physical Science 4
ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
ART 4403 Advanced Ceramics III 3
ART 3813 Fibers 3
  Elective 3
Total hours 16
 

Senior

Fall Semester

ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
ART 3503 Advanced Sculpture I 3
ART 2003 Photography I 3
  Elective 2
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

ART 4001 Senior Seminar 1
ART 3513 Advanced Sculpture Studio II 3
CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
  Elective 3
  Elective 3
  Elective 3
Total hours 16

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.
Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation.
The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

Download in PDF format:
General Art: 3D Studio Concentration Plan (PDF)