Art (BA)

Degree: BA Mode of study: On-Campus Location: Main Campus
Degree Type
Bachelor's Degree
Program Type
Undergraduate
Location
Main Campus - Cape
College
Arts & Media
Department
Art & Design
Careers
<p><span class="TextRun SCXW130932830 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130932830 BCX0">With an art BA degree, you&amp;#8217;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130932830 BCX0">ll develop your artistic skills and prepare for a career in the arts</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130932830 BCX0">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW130932830 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130932830 BCX0"></span></span></p>
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Southeast Missouri State University students attend an art history lecture.

Study the arts in a major where you'll work closely with expert faculty to build your portfolio: You’ll do that here.

An art degree prepares you for advanced study or careers in a variety of professions like fine arts entrepreneurship, marketing, fashion merchandising, or psychology.

What You’ll Do

As an art major at Southeast, you’ll gain incredible real-world learning experience through juried exhibitions and the capstone course, Professional Practice in Visual Art.

  • Work closely with faculty to prepare for a formal portfolio evaluation required for all art majors.
  • Learn the history of the discipline of art.
  • Work side by side with expert faculty artists in multiple disciplines.
  • Create works of art in modern studios equipped with traditional and progressive technology.

What Can You Do with a B.A. in Art?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Marketing Assistant at Analgesics Management Systems
  • Graphics Manager-Office of the Vice Chancellor at UC Irvine
  • Crisp Museum
  • Arts Council of Southeast MO
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Annie Laurie’s
  • Programmer–KRCU
  • Horizon Screenprinting
  • Vitronic Promotional Group
  • Freelance Artist
  • Schnucks
  • Rust Media/Concord Printing
  • Family Support Division

Graduate Schools of Recent Graduates

  • Fort Hays State University
  • Kansas State University

Art (BA) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

View the Degree Map

Outcomes & Careers

  • $105k

    Art Director

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an art director is $105,180.

  • $71k

    Fine Artist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a craft and fine artist is $71,420.

  • $99k

    Special Effects Artist or Animator

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a special effects artist or animator is $98,950.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As an art major, you’ll develop your artistic skills in several foundational areas and learn the history of the discipline of art. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Required Courses:

  • AH110 Art History Survey I (3)
  • AH210 Art History Survey II (3)
  • AR100 Drawing I (3)
  • AR104 2D Design (3)
  • AR106 3D Design (3)
  • AR323 Introduction to Photography and New Media (3)

Choose 6 hours from**:

  • AR302 Printmaking (3)
  • AR314 Drawing III (3)*
  • AR319 Introduction to Graphic Design (3)*
  • AR323 Introduction to Photography & New Media (3)
  • AR325 Painting (3)
  • AR330 Paper, Book, & Fibers (3)
  • AR332 Sculpture I (3)
  • AR342 Ceramics I (3)

Choose 6 hours from:

  • AR180 Digital Literacy for Art + Design (3)
  • AR201 Color Composition (3)
  • AR202 Drawing II (3)
  • AR284 Photography Fundamentals (3)

Choose 6 hours from:

  • AR302 Relief and Mixed Media Printmaking (3)
  • AR314 Drawing III (3)
  • AR325 Painting (3)
  • AR330 Paper, Book, and Fibers (3)

Choose 6 hours from:

  • AR332 Sculpture I (3)
  • AR342 Ceramics I (3)
  • DS104 Exploring Interior Design (3)

Choose 3 hours from:

  • AR319 Introduction to Graphic Design (3)
  • AR327 Web Design (3)

Choose 3 hours from:

  • AC201 Account Basics for Non-Business Majors (3)
  • AR318 Art & Design Internship (3)
  • AR399 Professional Practice in Visual Art (3)
  • DA100 Dance Appreciation (3)
  • DS104 Exploring Interior Design (3)
  • DS111 Technical Drafting for Interior Designers (3)
  • DS205 History of Interiors I (3)
  • DS206 History of Interiors II (3)
  • DS207 Interior Systems (3)
  • DS332 Materials for Interior Environments (3)
  • MC101 Media & Society (3)
  • MC221 Digital Media Production (3)
  • MC304 Diversity in Media (3)
  • MU182 Music: An Artistic Expression (3)
  • MU184 "Who Are You?" From Rhythm and Blues to Woodstock, Led Zeppelin and Beyond: A History of Rock (3)
  • MU190 Jazz Appreciation (3)
  • TH100 Theatre Appreciation (3)
  • TH101 Acting for Non-Majors (3)
  • TH105 Rehearsal & Production (1)
  • TH155 Makeup (3)

Choose 6 hours from:

  • Art History courses (300-500 level)

Every year, when taking student art classes, it is recommended that artwork should be entered in the Juried Student Exhibition.

*Taken after completing all foundation courses, (two attempts only), also applies to transfer students.

**Students may not use both AR314 and AR319 to fulfill this requirement.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year 

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • AH110 (3) 
  • AR100 (3) 
  • AR104 (3) 
  • General Education (3)

Spring Semester (15 Hours) 

  • AH210 (3) 
  • AR106 (3) 
  • AR180/201/202/284 (3) 
  • AR180/201/202/284 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Sophomore Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • AH3XX (3) 
  • AR332/342/DS104 (3) 
  • AR332/342/DS104 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
  • AH3XX (3) 
  • AR302/314/325/330 (3) 
  • AR302/314/325/330 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Pass Foundation review by end of 1st semester, second year. 

Junior Year 

Fall Semester (15-16 Hours) 
  • AR323 (3) 
  • Major Elective (3) 
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3-4)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • AR319/327 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Summer Semester 

  • Internship Elective AR318 (3) 

Senior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (14 Hours) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (2) 

12 hours in the final term if the summer internship is chosen for 3 hours

"Critical Courses" are italicized and bolded. These courses are indicators of potential for success in the degree program.

What will it cost?

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LIFE IN THE ARTS

THE WILL TO DO

Take a brief look at a typical day for our Southeast Missouri State University art students.
  • A student holds a pencil in her mouth while drawing on an easel.
  • A digital art student creates logos at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • A drawing student works with a ruler to get a straight line in her drawing on the easelat Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • A student paints art on March 4, 2021, at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • A student creates work for their class at Southeast Missouri State University on March 24, 2021, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • A sculpture student works with metal on March 4, 2021, at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • Print material used at Catapult Print on March 19, 2021, at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • A student shows off ceramics at Southeast Missouri State University on March 4, 2021, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Learn While Doing

We know that it takes countless hours of practice and feedback to be a great artist. In the Department of Art and Design we have the experiences, faculty, and spaces that will transform you from a talented student into a professional. Learn more.

Experiential Learning
Creative Spaces

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Student Work

  • Printmaking work by Torrey Gleason created while at Southeast Missouri State University.
  • “Trash” by Zoe Zeuschel created while at Southeast Missouri State University.
  • “My Four Little Scars” by Jessica Lambert created while at Southeast Missouri State University.
  • Interior design student work created while at Southeast Missouri State University.

Accreditations

  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design Accreditation Logo

Related Programs

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Additional Resources

Art + Design
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Phone
Office Phone
(573) 651-2790
Location
Office
River Campus Seminary 104
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 7825
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

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