Art Majors

Envision a creative future. Engage with creative individuals. Expand your creative capabilities. Evolve as a creative artist. A degree from the YSU Department of Art provides you with the tools to shape your vision of a successful artist, designer, arts administrator, creative director, animation artist, museum curator, and multiple other careers in diverse professions.

What You'll Study

As a student in the YSU Department of Art, you'll have exceptional artistic and educational experiences. You'll study with our internationally recognized faculty, work and study in extensive state-of-the-art spaces, utilize industry standard technology and equipment, and exhibit your work in our elegant and versatile galleries.

The Department of Art offers degrees and programs in several areas of study with study instruction in ceramics, digital media, graphic + interactive design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. And, we also offer 6 minors. You'll receive a significant amount of individual attention and experience a wide variety of styles. You'll be exposed to various techniques, processes, and experiences; learn from acclaimed guest artists; and be encouraged to participate in a variety of learning opportunities. At the YSU Department of Art, you'll find a community of mentors and colleagues who are dedicated to your artistic, educational, and professional success.

Exceptional Opportunities

In the Department of Art, you'll have numerous opportunities to exhibit your work. The McDonough Museum hosts several annual and biennial student exhibitions, and there are also multiple chances to exhibit work in the Judith Rae Solomon Gallery and the Student Project Gallery. The internationally recognized Butler Institute of American Art is also just across Wick Avenue with unlimited access for students. Our diverse selection of minors provides multiple opportunities for students in other academic programs to enroll in our courses. There are many ways to immerse yourself in the visual arts at YSU.

Our Alumni Are International Leaders

Our graduates are Emmy® Award-winning designers, studio artists, educators, and more—they work in every area of today's creative industries. They hold successful careers as Graphic Designers, Art Directors, Photographers, Academic Faculty, Fine Artists, Museum Professionals, Illustrators, Digital Artists, Metal Fabricators, UX/UI Designers, and other creative industries. For nearly a century, the YSU Department of Art has empowered students to follow their passions and develop skills to thrive within the dynamic field of the visual arts. We'll prepare you for an enduring career—wherever your journey takes you.

Begin Shaping Your Future

To learn more about our degree programs and scholarships or to schedule a campus visit, contact Cliffe College Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at sawaltman@ysu.edu or 330.941.2346. We would love to hear about your interests, introduce you to our outstanding faculty and students, show you our exceptional facilities, and become an important part of your future.

Programs

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic + Interactive Design (online program available spring 2025)

Our program is meticulously designed to empower you with the skills essential for a successful career in the dynamic field of graphic design. This learning model benefits recent high school graduates, working professionals, parents, or others with commitments beyond the classroom. Join our fully online B.F.A. in Graphic Design and unleash your creativity on the world.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Studio Art

Step into the vibrant world of Graphic + Interactive Design at Youngstown State University. Our program houses a dynamic studio art major with a concentration in graphic design that ignites creativity and equips students with the tools to shape the design landscape. The program explores typography, illustration, layout design, identity systems, package design, motion graphics, and web design. This program is not just about pixels and vectors; it’s about critical thinking and creative problem-solving with a strong core of fine art studio courses.

The Interdisciplinary Studio Arts (ISA) program at YSU was designed specifically for students with interests in ceramics, digital media, graphic + interactive design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Students enrolled in the program explore and combine a variety of media to investigate and examine relevant topics across studio areas. The program fosters innovative thinking, and students in the ISA program have the flexibility to select the upper-division coursework that corresponds with their unique vision. In addition, the program prepares students for success in the contemporary art world, with a focus on career readiness and building business skills for artists. Career preparation is built into the degree through required business minors that may be layered with certifications in both art and business. The Interdisciplinary Studio Art degree prepares our students to tackle the workforce head-on, creating visually skilled, financially savvy artists who are ready to make their mark nationally and internationally.

Minors

You can add an art minor to your degree—even if you’re not a student in one of our majors. Here are the minors that we offer:

Minor in Art History for Non-Art Majors

The Minor in Art History for Non-Art Majors provides a broad understanding of art and visual culture throughout history and the contemporary world.
Minor in Digital Media for Non-Art Majors

The Minor in Digital Media for Non-Art Majors provides students with the opportunity to explore how digital media works and teaches skills related to motion graphics, modeling, and animation.
Minor in Graphic Design for Non-Art Majors

The Minor in Graphic Design for Non-Art Majors provides students with an basic understanding of graphic design processes, principles, skills, and typography.
Minor in Interdisciplinary Game Studies

The Minor in Interdisciplinary Game Studies is offered by the Departments of Art and Computer Sciences and Information Systems and the Dana School of Music. The curriculum allows students to focus on their area of interest while also broadening their collaborations with colleagues in other areas.
Minor in Photography for Non-Art Majors

The Minor in Photography for Non-Art Majors is designed for students seeking to develop formal, conceptual, and technical skills and knowledge necessary for photographic image making, processing, and manipulation.
Minor in Studio Art for Non-Art Majors

The Minor in Studio Art for Non-Art Majors provides students with strong technical and critical thinking skills along with experience in working with a variety of media.