Develop your artistic skills: Earn your bachelor’s in Art

You can develop your creative passions with a bachelor’s in Art or choose a focus, ranging from ceramics to graphic design, from Carlow University. With a highly adaptable curriculum that can be suited to your educational interests, the bachelor’s in Art provides a solid foundation in art history and studio art.

Through both electives and directed study, you will work with a variety of media, including ceramics, mixed media, design, drawing and printmaking. 

Augmenting your art major with a minor in communication or business can open career doorways into arts administration, advertising and communications. 

The city of Pittsburgh’s thriving arts scene is an asset for aspiring art students. Carlow University is located near a number of popular museums and art galleries, including the Carnegie Museum of Art, The Andy Warhol Museum and the Mattress Factory.

Art Major Curriculum

Carlow University offers a number of tracks to help you develop your study interests. These include art education with certification, art history, art therapy preparation, ceramics, graphic design, media arts and animation, and painting and drawing. 

One of the keystones to the bachelor’s in Art program is its emphasis on high-impact, experiential learning. Facilities include the interdisciplinary University Art Gallery, 2D and 3D art studios, and the animation lab.

Quick facts

• Choose an art track for your specific learning focus
• Learn from studio work and hands-on opportunities
• Gain professional experience at our on-campus art gallery
• Tap into Pittsburgh’s thriving arts scene

Academic requirements and application process

Become a healer using art as the medium

If you have a passion to help people through the healing power of art, the Art Therapy major from Carlow University can help you develop your skills to prepare for graduate-level work in art therapy. This unique major blends fine arts, art therapy and psychology. 

With Carlow’s location in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Innovation District, you’ll have convenient access to medical and therapeutic sites.

Art Therapy major curriculum

The Art Therapy major curriculum consists of art, art therapy and psychology courses. You will have access to on-campus facilities such as the 2D and 3D studios, as well as the Carlow University Art Gallery, which showcases professional artists.

Internship opportunities are available at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Dream Big Studio, a television and radio studio for children that is part of the hospital’s Creative and Expressive Arts Therapy program. Students are usually placed with an art therapist or psychologist.

Quick facts

• Study near prominent medical and therapeutic locations
• Gain real-world career experiences with an internship
• Build a foundation for graduate-level studies 

Alternate degree completion options

Accelerated

Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process

Become a museum curator, archivist or art historian

You can use your passion for art and social justice and engage with big ideas with an Art History degree from Carlow University. The bachelor’s in Art History is grounded in the study of  contemporary art and critical theory, focusing on the cultural and visual dimensions of social justice, as well as curatorial and museum studies. 

You will cultivate skills in visual literacy, critical thinking and writing, explore curating as a form of activism, and learn about undergraduate research and exhibition development. 

You will learn professional skills needed to work in museums, galleries and cultural organizations as well as broader fields such as education, law and nonprofit management. You will also be prepared to pursue a graduate degree in art history, museum studies, and conservation and preservation. 

Art history degree curriculum

You will be introduced to the study of visual culture, and cultivate skills in creative problem solving and problem seeking, critical thinking and exhibition making. You will take courses in art history and museum studies, as well as studio and design courses, and complete practicums and internships. Mentorship-model courses are tailored to your interests and post-graduate goals.

You can complete an internship with the Carlow University Art Gallery, working with professional artists, curators and museum professionals; curating exhibitions; developing and leading tours; serving as an attendant; assisting with collection management and artwork inventories; or researching and developing digital curation strategies.

You can engage with contemporary artists and organizations and rich local collections of public art through Pittsburgh’s vibrant art scene and cultural institutions.

Quick facts

• Gain professional experience at the Carlow University Art Gallery
• Explore Pittsburgh’s vibrant art scene and cultural landmarks as part of your education

Alternate degree completion option

Accelerated

Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process

Shape your future with a ceramics major

With a Ceramics major, you will learn techniques of two-dimensional art, ceramics and sculpture. The major will prepare you for a studio career or graduate school.

Ceramics degree curriculum

The ceramics degree curriculum allows you to learn high-level skills and develop your artistic voice, focusing on your area of interest in ceramics. In addition to learning ceramic skills such as wheel throwing, handbuilding, glazing and firing, you will study drawing, art history and design, giving you a well-rounded foundation.

Quick facts

• Learn 2D and 3D art fundamentals
• Be prepared for studio practice or a master’s degree
• Gain professional experience in Carlow’s on-campus art gallery

Alternate degree completion options

Accelerated

Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process

The exciting world of advertising, marketing and media awaits you

Gain a competitive edge with a graphic design degree from Carlow University. You’ll develop a mastery of visual concepts and sought-after professional skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving to lay a foundation for success in the field.

Graphic design students work with industry-experienced faculty and industry-standard design software. 

You can adapt your graphic design learning experience to suit your personal interests. If you’re planning a career as a freelancer, classes will help you master the skills needed to be successful.

Graphic design degree curriculum

You will learn best business practices and get hands-on experience with such software as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and After Effects in 2D and 3D studio spaces such as the Media Arts and Design Studio. In advanced-level classes, you will adapt your learning experience to your interests. At this stage, a mentorship program is available.

As part of your graphic designer education, you will develop and refine a portfolio and create an online presence on social media. Instructors will provide one-on-one guidance to help you demonstrate your unique skills and style.

Many graphic design students complete professional internships and independent design projects.

Quick facts

• Work with industry-standard design software
• Develop and refine a portfolio
• Tailor advanced classes to your interests
• Intern with a company or work on independent design projects
• Gain professional experience in Carlow’s on-campus art gallery

Alternate degree completion option

Accelerated

Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.

Admission requirements and application process

Earn your Media Arts and Animation degree

Passionate about art? Use your drive and polish your skills with an animation major from Carlow University. You will learn the essential skills to work with new media technologies, including animation software and digital storytelling.

Working with faculty who have field experience, you will master advanced principles of 2D and 3D computer animation and become proficient in animation software. You can supplement your education with creative classes like creative writing and gestural studies. 

With a program adapted to your own academic interests, you can dive head first into experimental animation, conveying your ideas with mixed media and different approaches to digital technology.

Media Arts major curriculum

You will gain a professional edge by working with industry-standard animation software, including Adobe Creative Suite, ZBrush and Toon Boom. Media arts and animation includes graphic design work with digital photography and digital illustration in the 2D and 3D studios and the animation lab.

You will develop and refine a digital portfolio under the guidance of faculty who will help ensure your portfolio demonstrates your unique media arts and animation style. The portfolio will prepare you for entry-level employment in the field.

Required media arts and animation coursework will teach you how to successfully manage your own freelance business. The Creative Freelancer, a required course, involves professional practice and teaches creatives how to market themselves.

Quick facts

• Become proficient in essential software such as Adobe Creative Suite and ZBrush
• Develop and refine a media arts and animation portfolio
• Access facilities like the 2D and 3D studios
• Learn how to successfully manage your own freelance business 
• Gain professional experience in Carlow’s on-campus art gallery

Admission requirements and application process

Expand your skill set

Art major James Balsimo ’22 said Carlow’s Media Arts and Animation program gave him the freedom to express himself. Additionally, “I learned the global history of animation as well as the necessary components to navigate the modern animation industry. The program also covers other important aspects such as graphic design and digital illustration that have expanded my skill set.”