Art
Program Overview
The mission of the Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) B.A. in
Art Program is to develop the creativity of the individual,
respect for human expression, and understanding of the
importance of the world’s artistic objects from various
religious, political, and social contexts throughout the
ages. The program promotes communication, social
responsibility, and service to others and the understanding
and expression of our shared human condition through the
practice and study of art.
All SEU students are invited and encouraged to take courses in studio art and art history to
experience the excitement of artistic creation, which supports innovative learning across the
disciplines and adds to the education of a well-rounded person who can enjoy making and
reflecting on art for the rest of their life.
Ample studios and equipment, an art
history lecture room, and the Therese
A. Maloney Art Gallery with an active
professional art exhibition schedule, all in
Annunciation Center, provide increased
learning opportunities for all SEU students.
Embedded within the Art Studios area is a
Mac computer lab with up-to-date hardware
and photographic, graphic design, and
multimedia-related software programs that
promote the incorporation of computer-
generated graphics in all courses.
The Art Department offers two levels for
an art major and two separate minors. The
general B.A. in Art Program (39 credits)
provides the artistically minded major with
the opportunity to become skilled and
aesthetically enriched through a variety of
art experiences. By earning a bachelor’s
degree in art, the student will be prepared
for entrance into art-related professions.
If paired with a major in another discipline
and/or with a minor in graphic design or
another discipline, the art major will offer
students visual acuity and design excellence
beneficial in a variety of professions.
For the especially talented art students
interested in pursuing graduate study in art,
a more rigorous curriculum (71-77 credits)
will offer that student broad and in-depth
exposure to skills and techniques and the
chance to be immersed in one medium
as they prepare to apply to a Master of
Arts or Master of Fine Arts program. This
program of study must be approved by the
chairperson. The student will work closely
with an Art Department faculty mentor and
will take art courses at SEU as well as at
other nearby campuses.
The general art minor (17-19 credits)
introduces basic artistic skills and allows
each student to sample a variety of media
and courses without the greater rigors of
the full major.
The minor in graphic design (22-24 credits)
was created to help students increase
their fluency in graphic design aesthetics,
strategies, and computer software, which
will enhance their viability for employment.
By combining an art major with a graphic
design minor, students will be better
prepared for a graphic design-related job
and for possible application to graduate
school in graphic design or a related design
field.
Outcomes
- Students will develop conceptual,
analytical, and creative skills related to
their own artistic practice and to the
understanding of art around the world
and across centuries.
- Students will acquire the technical
skills, familiarity with materials, and
knowledge of safety procedures related
to the practice of art in general and in
their individual courses.
- Students will acquire knowledge
about major works of world art; learn
to contextualize those objects within
the societies, time periods, and
circumstances in which they were
created; be knowledgeable about the
major methodologies for interpreting
art; and be able to research and
communicate about the history of art.
- Highly qualified and motivated
students will also learn about the
aesthetic, practical, and professional
requirements to prepare themselves for
applications to graduate schools and
for a professional career as an artist.
Graduates
Students completing the B.A. in Art Program are equipped with
skills to succeed in a variety of art-related careers. Some of our
students become professional artists, in arts organizations, at art
museums or galleries, as designers or creatives, or in other art-
related careers. Many combine art with education and use their art
skills in the classroom or teach art as a specialized subject.
A double major or a major and minor in the following areas are just
some of the combinations students follow to pursue various career
paths:
- Art and business
- Art and communication
- Art and English
- Art and justice studies
- Art and math
- Art and psychology
With our minor in graphic design, students can be even better
equipped to bring their artistic and design skills to their chosen
professions.
Recent graduates have pursued graduate studies in programs such
as Graphic Design at Pratt University, Visual Culture at New York
University, Art Therapy at Caldwell University, Painting at Kean
University and Montclair State University, Studio Art at Marywood
University, Sculpture at the low-residency MA program at Vermont
College of Fine Arts, and Art Education at Kean University.
We encourage students who wish to go on to graduate programs at
the master’s or doctoral levels to speak with the chairperson as soon
as possible to construct the proper program to qualify for graduate
school and to learn about the application procedures. Please
contact the chair no later than the first semester of your junior year.