Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Art
Bachelor of ArtsBatten University
The Art Program offers courses in studio art and art history, balancing art production with an awareness of related cultural values. The art major consists of core courses in studio art and art history, upper-level electives in a choice of media, and a choice of two capstone options. Students planning art education or studio careers take one additional credit hour of studio research and a capstone that involves creating a body of work and exhibiting it. The internship course serves as the capstone for students planning art therapy or gallery/museum careers. Class work is supported by ongoing art exhibitions in two campus gallery spaces and by field trips to local and regional museums and galleries, further enriching the curriculum. Minors are offered in both studio art and art history. Students should select courses for the minor according to their interests or to strengthen skills needed for art-related careers in communications, design, business, recreation, therapy, arts management, and other creative fields. After completion of the undergraduate degree, art majors may also earn endorsement for teaching art K-12 through an additional year of study in the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) program which includes specific education courses and in-service teaching.
Outcomes
Social Context - learning about and experiencing social function of art. experience and interact with original works of art in galleries, museums and similar venues as well as in the classroom. Vocabulary - translation of visual into verbal description and evaluation (aesthetic critique) develop an understanding of the vocabulary of the visual arts and the ability to make formal and conceptual judgments and interpretations based on critical criteria. Production - concrete making of visual form using visual values (principles design, media, etc.); develop intellectual and technical skills in making personal expressions, aesthetic decisions, and expressing individual styles, while developing the ability to generate their own artistic content. Generating personal content; create a cohesive body of work for exhibition based on research into materials, techniques, personal expression and historical context.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | As images have become a greater part of contemporary life, the visual arts play an increasingly vital role in society. The study of art allows one to explore and develop an understanding of the cultural and historical context of art as well as developing the creative, conceptual and technical skills to produce art that expresses important human thoughts, emotions and values. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students pursuing the 5-year MAEd in Art Education should take the four 300/400 level ART/ARTH electives with the following distribution: 300-level 2-D art 300-level 3-D art 300-level digital art or photo 300/400-level studio art or art history elective |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Art at Batten University balances hands-on studio production with art history and critical awareness of cultural context. Students build a foundation across both studio art and art history, then specialize through upper-level electives in their chosen media — from drawing and painting to sculpture, ceramics, glass, and digital art. The major offers two capstone paths: a Studio Art Seminar, where students create and exhibit a body of work, suited to students pursuing studio careers or art education; or a Visual Art Internship, suited to students headed toward art therapy, galleries, or museum work. Coursework is supported by two on-campus gallery spaces and field trips to regional museums and galleries. Students can pursue minors in either Studio Art or Art History, and graduates may earn K-12 art teaching endorsement through an additional year in the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) program.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | There are no additional requirements for this program. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | After completion of the undergraduate degree, art majors may also earn endorsement for teaching art K-12 through an additional year of study in the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) program which includes specific education courses and in-service teaching. Students pursuing Art Therapy at the graduate level should take the following courses to meet standard national requirements in art: ART 205, 206, 213, 209 or 350 in a 3-D medium, 300/400 level art elective. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | 8 graduates 2024-2025 |
Program Credit Requirements
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Batten University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Batten University is committed to treating transfer students fairly. We believe in recognizing your hard work and making the path to your four-year degree as easy as possible.
The Fair Transfer Guarantee helps Virginia community college graduates save credits, save time, and save money by assuring that those with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Applied Science- Human Services (Tidewater Community College) will enter Batten U with junior-class status. All lower-level general education requirements—including foreign language—will be deemed complete, allowing students to focus on courses for their major and upper-level elective credits necessary for their bachelor’s degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | First-time college students arriving with a conferred Associate's degree get transfer credit for all acceptable coursework. They are not exempt from any breadth requirements. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Transfer credits are evaluated based on official transcripts from institutions accredited by regional accreditors. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Batten University from all colleges previously attended. The results of the credit transfer evaluation are recorded in the student's Transfer Evaluation Report in WebAdvisor. A formal transfer credit evaluation is completed after admission to the University. The evaluation is completed only by the Office of the Registrar. Transfer grades are not included in the Batten University grade point average. The amount of credit is determined in terms of the appropriate number of semester credit hours. Criteria for the acceptance of transfer credit include the following: Transfer credit is awarded for courses from colleges/universities accredited by regional accreditors and comparable in content and quality to those offered within the academic programs at Batten University. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Transfer students can choose to live on or off campus. Residential students are permitted to live on campus if they are under the age of 23. The average class size is 14. Our location is your advantage. With approx. 1.7 million people in the area, we have excellent access to internships and research opportunities. All students can and are encouraged to get involved on campus through civic engagement and clubs/organizations. Batten University is an inclusive community grounded in the arts and sciences and dedicated to scholarship, service, lifelong learning, and environmental stewardship. Batten University inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use the same catalog) |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use same catalog) |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | There is no specific date by which a student must let us know their intent. However, it is in their best interest to do so early to take advantage of all the perks. Read more here https://www.batten.edu/enrollment-aid/transfers/fair-transfer-guarantee.php |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Visual Art, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Glass) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Studio Art, Concentration in Photography and Video Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Studio Art, Concentration in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Studio Art, Concentration in 2D and 3D Media | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Architectural Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Industrial Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BA in Art - Art Therapy Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BA in Art - Graphic Design Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BA in Art - Studio Art Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with Education Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Art (Studio)/Art History - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Fine Art-BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Graphic Design-BFA (Fine Arts) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Art Education-BFA (Fine Arts) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.A. in Art, Studio Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.A. in Art, Ceramics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.A. in Art, Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Art (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Theater (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Studio Art (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Film (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Art History (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BA in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BFA in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BFA in Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Architecture in Architecture | Bachelor | Bachelor of Architecture | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Technologies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Apprl, Hsing, & Res Mgt in Fashion Merchandising and Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Industrial Design in Industrial Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Science in Interior Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bach of Landscp Arch in Landscape Architecture | Bachelor | Bachelor of Landscape Architecture | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Apprl, Hsing, & Res Mgt in Property Management | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Apprl, Hsing, & Res Mgt in Residential Environments and Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 27-1012.00 | Craft Artists | Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-1013.00 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete