Pacific Union College » Academics » Departments » Visual Arts » Degrees & Programs

Students have the opportunity to study visual arts either as a vocation or as a means of increasing cultural awareness. The department is keenly interested in students who choose visual art as their occupation and who want to devote themselves to the period of intensive training necessary for their profession. It is also concerned with those whose interests may be avocational rather than professional, who recognize the cultural advantages to be obtained from the study of visual art, or who find in artistic experience a high degree of personal enjoyment and satisfaction.

Major in Fine Art—B.A.

The B.A. prepares students for entrance into a Master of Fine Arts program of study, which is in turn required for most college teaching positions in fine art and is recommended for the developing profession in the fine arts. The B.A. includes language requirements but fewer art credits than the B.S. program.

Major in Fine Art—B.S.

The B.S. prepares students for entrance into a Master of Fine Arts program of study, which is in turn required for most college teaching positions in fine art and is recommended for the developing profession in the fine arts. The B.S. includes more art credits than the B.A. program, but does not have the language requirements.

Major in Graphic Design, Design Emphasis—B.S.

This four-year program is looked on with favor by prestigious art schools and enables the motivated student to develop a portfolio of professional quality, which is necessary for entering today’s competitive job market in graphic design.

Major in Graphic Design, Illustration Emphasis—B.S.

The main emphasis of this major is for illustration; however, graduates will be competent to work in positions in advertising design, graphic design, illustration, packaging, and product design.

Major in Graphic Design, Web Design Emphasis—B.S.

The main emphasis of this major is website and interactive design; however, graduates will be competent to work in positions in advertising design, graphic design, illustration, packaging, and product design.

Major in Graphic Design—A.S.

This program is the two-year version of the B.S. in graphic design.

Major in Photography—B.S.

This photography degree is designed to enable students to continue their training in photography and also helps the motivated student develop a portfolio of professional quality that is necessary for entering today’s competitive job market in photography.

Major in Photography—A.S.

The A.S. in photography is the two-year version of the B.S. in photography.

Major in Film and Television Production—B.S.

Students in this program develop the necessary creative, business, and technical skills with Christian values to pursue careers in feature film, documentary, and broadcast television production.

Other Programs

The department also offers a minor in art and a minor in art history. The Visual Arts Department, in cooperation with the Psychology and Social Work Department also offers a Pre-Professional Program in Art Therapy.

Student Learning Outcomes

As the department of visual arts, in a Christian liberal arts setting, we will use praxis and techne (Practice & Theory) as our model for learning outcomes in the following:

Knowledge

1. Students can cite major historical references relevant to their discipline.
2. Students can explain the relationship between contemporary issues and their discipline.
3. Students can critically analyze their own work and the work of their peers.
4. Students can identify how discipline-specific visual symbols create meaning.

Skills

1. Students can solve visual and conceptual challenges through design and composition skills.
2. Students can demonstrate their technical proficiency with the materials and tools of their discipline.
3. Students can research and communicate ideas using discipline-specific terms.
4. Students can create original works of art.
5. Students can organize and produce professional portfolios and production reels.

Values

1. Students can integrate their visual interests with their spiritual values.
2. Students can respect the aesthetic diversity of others.
3. Students can understand the history and visual culture in various religious traditions, including Adventism.
4. Students can exhibit honesty and authenticity in their work and business practices.

*2006 program review

Guidesheets