Dr. Katherine A. Schwartz, Director
Phone: (540) 568-6216/6661 Email: schwarka@jmu.edu
Location: Duke Hall, Room 1011 Website: http://www.jmu.edu/art
Professors
T. Cole, R. Daniel, C. Diop, D. Ehrenpreis, L. Halpern, L. Katzman, J. McCaslin, D. McCusker, J. Ott, M. Rooker, K. Schwartz, M. Shanahan, R. Silberman, G. Stewart, L. Tubach, C. Welter, W. Wightman, S. Zurbrigg
Associate Professors
A. Adesanya, S. Brooks, S. Choi, R. Hilliard, K. Stevens, W. Tate, A. Taylor, K. Tollefson-Hall, R. Tomhave
Assistant Professors
A. Barnes, D. Hardy, C. Henriques, R. Mertens, K. Phaup, E. Tickle, S. Williams
Mission Statement
The School of Art, Design and Art History is a collaborative community that fosters independent thought and creativity, embraces the diversity of cultural expression, and cultivates excellence in the making and understanding of visual art and design.
Goals
The School of Art, Design and Art History discerns the following five distinct goals for the teaching of art at JMU:
- To prepare future professional artists and designers.
- To educate future art historians and museum specialists with a global perspective on the visual arts.
- To develop and license future elementary and secondary art teachers.
- To enrich the general education of non-art majors.
- To supply professional instruction in the visual arts for students who wish to enrich their education by studying art as a second major or minor.
To meet these goals, the School of Art, Design and Art History offers three degrees, a choice of five majors and select areas of emphasis. PK-12 Licensure is available to every School of Art, Design and Art History major, regardless of their degree track. Minors are offered in select areas. All degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours. A full description of degree requirements is listed under degree requirements.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Architectural Design
- Graphic Design
- Studio Art
Bachelor of Science
- Industrial Design
- Studio Art
Career Opportunities and Marketable Skills
Art students at JMU have the opportunity to prepare for a wide variety of art and art-related career fields. Because the School of Art, Design and Art History educates art students as critical thinkers and creative problem solvers, graduates have an enhanced ability to think independently, respond flexibly, work productively and compete successfully for employment in career fields that value original and thoughtful creativity. Some possible careers include:
- Advertising Designer
- Architectural Designer
- Artist
- Art Critic
- Art Educator
- Art Historian
- Ceramicist
- Conservator
- Gallery Owner
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- Industrial Designer
- Jeweler
- Multimedia Designer
- Museum Curator/Educator
- Painter
- Photographer
- Printmaker
- Sculptor
- Textile Designer
To discuss specific career options, students should contact the school and make an appointment with a member of the faculty.
Accreditation
Supplementing JMU’s general accreditation, all degrees offered by the School of Art, Design and Art History are professionally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. In addition, the Art Education program is also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Special Admission Requirements
Art History Majors Students intending to major in art history are not required to submit a portfolio, but should follow the regular JMU admissions process. To be considered for departmental scholarships, students must submit a resume, writing sample, and short essay to the department. To enroll in the museum studies concentration in art history, students must have a 3.3 GPA in the major and a minimum of nine credits in art history (ARTH) and general education art history (ARTH) courses.
Students enrolled in any degree program may minor in art history by completing a minimum of 18 credit hours in art history courses, as the following chart shows. At least six of these credit hours must be 400-level art history courses. The student’s minor program is subject to approval by the school director.
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