As an art history major at Saint Joseph's University, you will dive into the history of art throughout the world as you develop your ability to view, assess and analyze various forms of art and visual culture. You will also have access to many exciting cultural opportunities in the Philadelphia region to gain experience in the field.
Art
As an art student at Saint Joseph’s University, you will pursue your interests and passion through courses in art history, graphic design, photography and more. You’ll be challenged to express yourself in new media and respond to context. Studio and lecture courses in the visual arts and art history integrate industry-informed, hands-on instruction with elements of creative freedom and critical thought. Whether you are majoring or minoring in art, you will have access to campus studios featuring spaces dedicated to painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture and 3D mixed-media courses.
What Sets Our Program Apart
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During your senior year, you’ll enroll in a year-long capstone course, which ends in an exhibition of your work in the University’s professional gallery, or a presentation and paper representing original research.
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As an art major, you will have the freedom to study the field through courses in the following:
- Art history
- Graphic design
- Painting
- Drawing
- Traditional photography
- Digital photography
- Sculpture
- Appropriated art
- Pottery
- Ceramics
- Mosaics
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As an art major, you will have access to campus studios featuring spaces dedicated to painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture and 3D mixed media courses. You will be taught by faculty who have exhibited their work in galleries and published their research. The art department's talented faculty include painters, ceramicists, photographers, sculptors and art historians.
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This program is available as a major and a minor. Many students often decide to double major or add minors to their studies. Some common additional areas of study that students interested in art also pursue include:
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Art majors gain hands-on experience by working with the University’s art collection and assembling exhibitions on campus. The art department also offers service-learning experiences, a robust study abroad program, guest lectures, internship opportunities and around-the-clock access to studios.
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Saint Joseph's University's close proximity to Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C. provides students with experiences to view works of art in renowned galleries and museums. The department offers trips to these locations for students to immerse themselves in these cultural experiences.
What Can I Do with an Art Major or Minor?
In addition to pursuing graduate and professional work in the arts, our graduates have developed careers in a wide range of art-related areas, including:
- Advertising
- Commercial photography
- Gallery and museum work
- Graphic and web design
- Marketing
- Interior design
- Fashion design
- Architecture
- Teaching
Program Details
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View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
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Affordable tuition rates can be found on our Tuition and Fees page.*
*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition and Fees page for a detailed breakdown.
Admission Information
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To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.
Learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply as a first-year student, transfer student or international student.
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First-Year Students
Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options are available. For a full timeline of deadlines, visit our admission page.Transfer Students
Applications to transfer to Saint Joseph’s are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms. -
1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.
2. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.
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Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University:
- Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
- Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above
- Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit
- Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
- The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph's
- Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
- Earned credit may be submitted for review based on a timeline of less than or equal to 5 to 10 years between completion of course and enrollment at SJU
Visit the Transfer Admission page for a detailed breakdown of courses and institutions eligible for transfer.
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If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Explore Other Degree Programs
The art education major at Saint Joseph's University prepares future teachers with the skills necessary to be successful educators in the field. You'll earn a broad understanding of the arts and learn to use your skills in thoughtful, expressive and creative ways as a teacher.
Saint Joseph’s Graphic Design program prepares students with hands-on experience to develop skills in design, digital media and interactive media.