UNT Home | Undergraduate Majors and Interests | College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts) | Art Degree Programs


Art Degree Programs


Career potential

The University of North Texas' College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts) is one of the nation's most comprehensive visual arts schools at a public university, and is considered one of the best in the Southwest. You can prepare for a career as a professional artist with one of the following majors:

Graduates of UNT's visual arts programs have careers as art historians, designers, teachers and studio artists throughout the United States. Among the many distinguished graduates are granite sculptor Jesús Moroles, one of the most recognized sculptors living and working in Texas; T Lewis, illustrator for the nationally syndicated comic strip Over the Hedge; and Michael Faircloth, fashion designer for first lady Laura Bush.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.


Majoring in art

As an art major, you will receive a broad education in art as well as specialized preparation in your major. All bachelor of fine arts programs require an art core consisting of Design I, Design II, Drawing I, Drawing II, Art Appreciation, Art History Survey I and Art History Survey II. You may complete these courses before making a decision about a specific major in art.

Many visual arts faculty members are nationally and internationally acclaimed professional artists who continue their art careers while they teach.

UNT's 90,000-square-foot Art Building includes classrooms, three computer labs, faculty offices, studios, a workshop, the UNT Art Gallery and a visual resources library. Four other campus buildings house additional classrooms and laboratories, as well as the Texas Fashion Collection - a unique museum-quality collection of more than 15,000 garments, which is available for student study - and the Cora Stafford Gallery, which is used for exhibiting student work.


Getting hands-on experience

UNT is within easy commuting distance of Dallas and Fort Worth, where major art museums, galleries, the Dallas Apparel Mart and numerous advertising and interior design businesses provide valuable resources and experiences for you.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may work in a job related to your major through UNT's office of Cooperative Education and Internships. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience. Co-op employers pay extremely well, and the jobs usually last several semesters, often until graduation.


Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

  • English … 4 years
  • Math … 4 years
  • Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
  • Science … 3 years
  • Foreign language … 3 years
  • Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.


Charting your path with academic advising

You must attend an orientation to the College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts), held in conjunction with university orientation for new students or during registration at the start of each semester. Freshman and transfer students can find out more about orientations by calling 940-565-4198 or by e-mailing freshmanorientation@unt.edu or transferorientation@unt.edu.

Specific questions regarding your major may be addressed to faculty members or to the academic advising staff in the College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts) Student Services office, Art Building, Room 111. Call 940-565-2216 to make an appointment.


Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.