Art Degrees Online

The Department of Art offers a major with an emphasis in either studio art or art history. Courses and programs are designed to meet the needs of:
Students planning to follow graduate or professional programs in studio art or art history. Related fields requiring a strong art background are archaeology, commercial art, medical illustration, industrial design, interior design, display, packaging, film making, museum direction, and gallery operation. Students planning to attend graduate school in studio art may need to design an individualized major.
Students seeking some knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, and those who want an avocational experience in the creative arts or crafts.
Courses without prerequisites in painting, ceramics, crafts, printmaking and sculpture as well as art history are available for students not majoring in art.

Art Major, Studio Art Emphasis

The minimum requirements for an Art major, studio Art emphasis, are ART 106, 107, 115, 116, 350, 367, 475, two courses from ART 203, 223, 224, 225, 226, 254, and one course from ART 351, 352, 353, 354, or 355. Fifteen hours must come from courses numbered 300 or above.

Art Major, Art History Emphasis

The minimum requirements for an Art major, art history emphasis, are ART 106, 107, 116, 367, 475; three courses from ART 362, 363, 365, 366, 368, 370; and two courses from ART 114, 115, 203, 223, 224, 225, 226, 254, 350. Fifteen hours must come from courses numbered 300 or above.

Major Project

A major project, consisting of a graduation exhibition for the studio emphasis or a research paper for the art history emphasis, is required of each major in art and will be undertaken during the senior year in addition to regular class work. The major project must be of sufficient quality to merit the approval of the Art faculty.

With the consent of the student, the Art faculty may make a selection of outstanding work from the graduation exhibition to be retained as a part of the permanent collection of the University without compensation to the student. Any art work may be retained for exhibition over a period not to exceed two years.

Art Minor

A minor in Art consists of 15 hours, to include one course from ART 106, 107; one course from ART 115, 116; and three art electives, two of which must come from courses numbered 300 or above.

Photography Minor

A minor in Photography consists of five courses: PHO 221, 323, 424, and two courses from ART 116, 367, or CTA 165. Photography courses do not count toward a major in art.

Departmental Honors

Majors may attain Departmental Honors by fulfilling the following requirements: (1) earn an overall grade point average of 3.50; (2) earn a 3.50 grade point average in all art courses; (3) complete with distinction a major project consisting of a graduation exhibition or a research paper during the senior year.

Interior Design

Interior designers shape human experience and enhance quality of life by creating environments that are sustainable, meaningful, innovative, and functional.

RMCAD’s interior design graduates create spaces that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are healthy and resource efficient.

The BFA in interior design is a first-professional degree that provides students with the educational qualifications to enter the design profession and gain the necessary experience to successfully complete the NCIDQ examination. www.ncidq.org

Interior design is both an art and a science. At RMCAD, we approach it as an extension of the arts while being grounded in the social and natural sciences of psychology, sociology, anthropology, ecology, and biology.

When you graduate from our program, you will be prepared to work as skilled, ethical, environmentally responsible professional designers committed to improving the health, safety and welfare of the public while embracing your own vision and creativity.

“The Interior Design faculty at RMCAD is truly special. Known on a first name basis, there have been numerous times when I have seen them give up their weekends to help us with projects, personally recognize students for great work, or just be a friend when you need someone to talk to, and even host brunch for a meeting.”
–Anna Alcorn, ID student

You will learn the theories and skills necessary for professional practice from faculty who are practicing design professionals and educators. Our program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and is rigorous yet highly rewarding. www.accredit-id.org

See our Accreditation Page for more information.
Green Design Area of Emphasis

RMCAD offers a unique program of study through our Green Design Area of Emphasis. The Green Design Area of Emphasis provides an in-depth exploration of the methods, processes and principles of green design and sustainability. www.rmcad.edu/interior-design/green-design

“I had no idea what Green design was before coming to this school, and now it is a huge passion for me and was my area of emphasis.”
–Bethany Strothman, recent graduate

For information and discussions on green design and sustainability, please visit our green design blog, Thoughts on Sustainability >>