Art, B.A.
Earn a flexible BA in Art, explore diverse media, and pair it with another field for a well-rounded creative education.
“The department community and willingness to share ideas and visions are something special. They challenged and encouraged me everyday. It was awesome to learn from people who love the creative process of art making.”
Rosa Salas
B.F.A. in Art '20
Bachelor of Arts in Art
The Department of Art & Art History in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in Art. Students who major in art are creative thinkers who visualize the world around them to create contemporary and conceptual works of art.
B.A. vs. B.F.A.
- The Bachelor of Arts degree has a deeper and wider general education foundation than the B.F.A. degree. The B.A. degree provides flexibility for combining the study of art with a minor field of study. Students can use their art electives to focus on the studio area of their choice.
- Students can choose to enter the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree during the regular UM admissions process. After completing the foundation core, B.F.A. students participate in a foundations review process and select an emphasis area. They gain wider training across the studio areas, gain depth in their chosen emphasis area, build a professional portfolio, and hold a final thesis show.
The Value of an Art Degree
Art majors develop the fundamentals of design, learn how to promote their art, and become adept at new technologies within their field. They can analyze visual materials, communicate conceptual ideas, and problem solve in creative ways–all skills that are highly desired by employers.
On this Page…
Program Information
Degree
B.A. in Art
Required Credit Hours
120
Program Type
Major
Minor
Program Location
School
Duration
4 Years
Degree Requirements
Find out about credit hour and course requirements from the 2025-26 academic catalog.
Students in the College of Liberal Arts earning the B.A. degree have a common set of 48-50 hours of general education. The specific courses taken to complete the categories of general education may differ between majors.
Categories of General Education:
- First Year Writing I, II
- English Literature Survey
- Modern or Ancient Language
- History
- Additional Humanities
- Fine or Performing Arts Appreciation
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
To see the details for these general education requirements, visit the UM online catalog or the degree sheet attached at the top of this webpage.
Students in the B.A. in Art program complete 11 art courses (33 credit hours) and 3 art history courses (9 credit hours).
- Art 101: Two-Dimensional Design
- Art 103: Three-Dimensional Design
- Art 111: Drawing I
- Art 201: Digital Imaging
- Art 211: Drawing II
- 6 Art courses (18 credit hours) at the 300-level or higher
- AH 201: History of Art I
- AH 202: History of Art II
- One Art History course (3 credit hours) at the 300-level or higher
- Art 406: BA Forum
The minor in art consists of 6 art courses (18 credit hours), including 2 courses (6 credit hours) at the 300 level or higher.
- Art 101: Two-Dimensional Design
- Art 103: Three-Dimensional Design
- Art 111: Drawing I
- 3 art courses (9 credit hours) of art courses
Department Opportunities
Video: Get to Know the Department of Art and Art History
Hear firsthand from students and faculty about the Art program.
Art Alumni
- Designer/Host, HGTV's Home Town
- Creative Consultant, Estee Lauder
- Graphic Designer, Walt Disney World
- Art Director, Marriott International
- Executive Art Director, Simon & Schuster
- Marketing Specialist, Turner Broadcasting
- Director of Philanthropy, Heifer International
- Professor of Ceramics, University of Utah
- Webmaster, Oxford School District
- Scenic Artist, Denver Center Theatre
- Technical Artist, Los Alamos National Labs
- Game Developer, Mind Level Up
- Creative Director, CNN
- Appraisal Services, Antiques Roadshow
- Collections Assistant, Burke Museum
- Staff, Chicago Art Institute
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
Annabelle Harris
Admissions Counselor
Future CLA Students
College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?