• Coordinator: Brandon Truscott
• Office: GT 535a
• Telephone: 801-863-5686
• Email: Brandon.Truscott@uvu.edu

Illustration

• Coordinator: Howard Fullmer
• Office: GT 405
• Telephone: 801-863-6491
• Email: HFullmer@uvu.edu

Painting/Drawing

• Coordinator: Nancy Steele-Makasci
• Office: GT 539a
• Telephone: 801-863-6933
• Email: STEELNA@uvu.edu

Photography

• Coordinator: Reid Elem
• Office: GT 525g
• Telephone: 801-863-8497
• Email: RElem@uvu.edu

Sculpture/Ceramics

• Coordinator: Mark Talbert
• Office: GT 338
• Telephone: 801-863-6270
• Email: TALBERMA@uvu.edu

Art & Design Advisement

Advisors: Colin Slade, Elizabeth Draper

Office: CS 637
Telephone: 801-863-5397
Email: SOAADVISORS@uvu.edu
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Program Description

Utah Valley University’s Department of Art & Design offers degrees in applied arts, fine arts, art history, and art education. Upon completing a degree, students emerge from the program ready to enter careers in graphic design, photography, advertising, printing, animation, illustration, art education, printmaking, sculpture, painting and more. Students can earn a general degree, exploring several areas within the visual arts, or they can specialize, exploring a specific practice in depth to better understand it and/or prepare for employment in that field. 

Degrees Offered

Students who want to concentrate on a specific area of art and visual communications can gain professional training at UVU through several specialized degrees:

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

A two-year degree where students can emphasize in one of three areas.

• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Photography

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

A two-year degree where students can emphasize in one of three areas.

• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Photography

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art History

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Art Education

A four-year degree in which students are trained to teach as art specialists at the secondary level (7–12 grade).

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

A four-year degree for individuals with above-average abilities, who are looking for a competitive program to hone their skills.

• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Painting/Drawing
• Photography
• Sculpture/Ceramics

General Art Degrees (B.A., B.S., A.A., A.S.)

Students wanting to study art and visual communications broadly, without emphasizing one particular emphasis area can choose to earn one of four general degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts in Art and Visual Communications (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science in Art and Visual Communications (B.S.)
• Associate in Art in Art and Visual Communications (A.A.)
• Associate in Science in Art and Visual Communications (A.S.)

Students who elect to earn a bachelor of arts or associate in arts degree are required to complete a foreign language requirement, while those who earn a bachelor of science or associate in science degree have the option to take more electives. All of these degrees allow students to explore a few areas within the department and gain a more well-rounded education in the visual arts. Some of our 1000 level courses also fulfill general education requirements.

Career Opportunities

Our degrees prepare students for various career opportunities, some of which are delineated below.

Art History: BA in Art History

Students are prepared for an array of arts-related jobs, including art dealership, art directorship, and work in museums and galleries. It also provides the necessary foundation for graduate studies in art history, which in turn, will prepare students for a career in postsecondary teaching, museum curatorship, and museum directorship.

Fine Arts: Painting/Drawing, Sculpture/Ceramics, Photography

Students are prepared to compete in the arts arena typically via self-employment by promoting their work through galleries, museums, exhibitions and commissions. Some students also choose to pursue graduate studies to further their development or to prepare them to teach in higher education. Areas of study include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics.

Applied Arts: Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography

Students are prepared to compete for employment at advertising agencies, design studios, in-house design departments, printing firms, photography studios, gaming developers, animation studios and for freelance consulting work (self-employed). Some students may also choose to further their studies in graduate programs.

Education: BS in Art Education

The Bachelor of Science in Art Education certifies students to teach as an art specialist at the secondary level in public schools and private schools.

Engaged Learning

Students are encouraged to learn by applying what they study in the real world and by taking part in activities outside the classroom.

The department offers many opportunities for students to travel and interact with practicing art professionals. In an annual trip to New York, students visit museums, galleries and artists’ studios to learn more about creating art. Students can also apply to attend a five-week study abroad in Italy each summer.

Students regularly enter their work in competitions at local, state and national levels, with several students earning awards each year. At UVU’s annual art history symposium, students present their research alongside faculty. Every student in the Department of Art & Design attends an art lecture series, in which artists from around the country visit UVU to present their work, lecture on what they do and occasionally hold a workshop.

Art & Design Core Grade Requirement

The Art & Design Core requirements (ART 1110, ART 1120, ART 1130, ART 1400 and one of the following: ART 1050, ART 1350, ART 1420, or ART 1650) must be completed with a B- or higher before being formally admitted to the BS, BA, and BFA programs.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Requirements:

This degree is for those with exceptional abilities in art and design fields. In order to apply to the BFA, students must first meet the core class requirements (consult with your academic advisor for details) in the Art & Design Department and submit a portfolio for departmental BFA review. Students desiring to participate in the review should submit aletter of intent to the area coordinator in their particular interest. Portfolios will be due in March as designated by the area coordinator. Acceptance into the BFA is based on the portfolio review, overall GPA of 2.0 or above with 3.0 GPA or above in ART and ARTH courses. Courses within the student’s area of emphasis must be completed with a C grade or above. For graduation with a BFA degree, students must maintain the grade requirements listed above and receive a B grade or above for ART 499R BFA Project. For more information, contact the Academic Advisors. Students not accepted into the BFA program, or who are unable to fulfill the above requirements, may still pursue the more general BA/BS degrees.

Graduation Requirement: Portfolio Submission

To ensure that faculty and programs at UVU are adequately teaching and preparing students for professional careers and/or further schooling, the Art & Design Department has implemented a graduating student portfolio submission. All students completing a degree in the Art & Design Department are required to submit a portfolio for faculty/professional review prior to graduation. Results are kept confidential and are used only to help modify and improve curriculum and teaching. Consult with your academic advisor for details of deadlines and requirements to make certain all Art & Design degree graduation requirements are met.