Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Art
Bachelor of ArtsVirginia Wesleyan University
The Art Department 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 capstone course that involves creating a body of work and exhibiting it. 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 |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
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 |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Wesleyan 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.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | 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, or associate of science will enter Virginia Wesleyan 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 conferred Associate's degrees get transfer credit for all acceptable coursework.They are not exempted from any breadth requirements. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Transfer credit is considered on the basis of an official transcript or transcripts from institutions accredited by regional accreditors. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Virginia Wesleyan University from all colleges previously attended. The results of the transfer evaluation of credit are recorded on the student’s “Transfer Evaluation Report†on 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 Virginia Wesleyan University grade point average. 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 credits are awarded for courses from colleges/universities accredited by regional accreditors and that are comparable in content and quality to those offered within the academic programs at Virginia Wesleyan University. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | First year students who do not have parents in the local 7 cities are required to live on campus. 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 24. 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. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at VWU based on academic year (ex: fall 20-spring 21 entrants use same catalog) |
First Year Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at VWU based on academic year (ex: fall 20-spring 21 entrants use same catalog) |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | There is no specific date as to when a student needs to let us know their intent. However, it is in their best interest to do so early so they can take advantage of all the perks. Read more here https://www.vwu.edu/enrollment-aid/transfers/fair-transfer-guarantee.php |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
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 | Liberal Arts: English Specialization, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
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 | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Glass) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Ferrum College | B.A. in Art, Studio Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 | Not Specified |
Old Dominion University | Art Education-BFA (Fine Arts) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | Not Specified |
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 |
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 |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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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
