Bachelor in Art
Waukesha, USA
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Art is a universal language that transcends both time and culture. It can be provocative and challenging, requiring us to examine our existing norms and beliefs. Art draws us in and inspires us, reminds us of our humanity, and teaches us about ourselves. Through deeply personal expression, artists invite us to think in original ways and consider the world from a different perspective.
Art is a way to think, act and communicate—a means of personal expression, as well as of participating in a larger conversation with both the past and contemporary culture. In Carroll University’s art program, you’ll explore the relationship between the worlds of intellect and imagination. You’ll learn to develop and nurture a creative process that moves your work and ideas into unexpected and exciting directions. Carroll's art curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and prepares its graduates for a lifelong journey of art-making and art appreciation that insists on engagement with the ideas of our times and on personal growth.
What Can You Do with an Art Major?
Our program focuses on both depth and breadth of knowledge. Our students are prepared for success in a variety of fields, including teaching, museum and gallery work, art therapy, design, graduate school or working as a professional artist. At Carroll, we study skill development in a variety of media, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and photography and you’ll be encouraged to bring your knowledge of other disciplines into your work. Our emphasis quickly turns to content, challenging you to think more deeply about the nature of your work, ideas, and influences. You’ll have the advantage of studying in small classes with faculty who are working artists.
Our spaces include several large studios, the campus gallery, student exhibition areas, an art library, and three MAC computer labs. Our students gain experience outside the classroom through participating in internships and have an opportunity in their senior year to exhibit in a professional gallery in the media of their choice. You’ll leave Carroll prepared with a career-ready portfolio.
Become an Art Teacher
The art education program prepares you for K-12 art teacher licensure when paired with Carroll’s secondary education major. Art education students take a broad array of art courses: drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, and photography. You’ll also focus on a medium and concept of your choice as a senior, which culminates in an exhibition of your work in Carroll’s gallery before graduation. This combination of broad exposure to many areas of art, specialization in one, as well as education classes through Carroll’s Education Program, prepares you to teach K-12 art. Art education candidates spend their last semester off-campus, student-teaching is full-time.
Art education students benefit from Carroll’s small size where art and education faculty work closely together to guide students successfully through both programs.
Emphases/Minor
Art majors are required to choose one of the following emphases. In addition to the major, Carroll offers a minor in art that complements many areas of study.
- Fine Art Emphasis
- Art Minor
Upon graduation, the art student will be able to demonstrate:
- Mastery of skills in his/her chosen area of emphasis.
- Familiarity with the history of art and the ability to discuss it within the context of their work.
- Ability to write articulately about art.
- Ability to present self and work professionally.
- Ability to develop a cohesive body of work.
Our majors pursue careers in:
- Art museums/galleries
- Fine arts
- Education
- Art therapy
- Fashion/textile/interior design
- Art sales
- Design
Our graduates are employed at organizations such as:
- Steinhafels
- East Bay Magazine
- Waukesha South High School
- Kettle Moraine Perform High School
- Scott Studio Group
- Waukesha Freeman
- Art Institute of Chicago, Administration
- Donna Lexa Art Center
Types of employers for art graduates:
- Museums and galleries
- Media agencies
- Design Firms
- Educational institutions
- Nonprofit organizations
- Arts Centers
- Interior Design Companies
- Self-employed
Example job titles of graduates with a bachelor’s degree in art:
- Production assistant
- Photographer
- Arts Administration
- Art Teacher
Core Courses
- ART 106 - Drawing and Composition 4 Hour(s)
- ART 107 - Beginning Design 2D and 3D 4 Hour(s)
- ART 200 - Early Modernism to Present-Art History Survey 4 Hour(s)
- ART 213 - Themes in Art History - Prehistory to Baroque 4 Hour(s)
- ART 206 - Intermediate Drawing 4 Hour(s)
- ART 490 - Capstone in Art 4 Hour(s)
Fine Arts Emphasis
Core Courses, Plus
- ART 201 - Painting I 4 Hour(s)
- ART 209 - Photography 1 4 Hour(s) or
ART 230 - Printmaking I 4 Hour(s) - ART 220 - Sculpture I 4 Hour(s)
- ART 225 - Ceramics I 4 Hour(s) or
ART 235 - Art Metals 4 Hour(s) - ART 301 - Painting II 4 Hour(s) or
ART 320 - Sculpture II 4 Hour(s) or
ART 325 - Ceramics II 4 Hour(s) or
ART 330 - Printmaking II 4 Hour(s) or
ART 306 - Advanced and Life Drawing 4 Hour(s) - One elective in ART, 4 credits
In Addition:
Fine Arts students interested in gallery/museum, art therapy, arts administration or commercial art should plan to take an internship in the field. Those interested in graduate work in studio art or art history should work to fit in the extra studio or art history courses, respectively, as time allows.
Students planning to go on for Art Therapy should consider adding a Psychology Minor.
Double majoring or minoring in Business or Graphic Communication may also be of interest to Fine Art students.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
The requirements for a Bachelor of Arts are:
- Students must take 8 credits in the same modern language (MLL) other than English, this does not include American Sign Language. Carroll University will accept a total of 8 transferred credits from another college/university as long as all 8 credits are completed in the same language.
- **International students who have English as their second language should contact the Registrar concerning the Modern Language requirement.
- MAT 106 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts 4 Hour(s) or higher
- ENG 170 - Writing Seminar 4 Hour(s)
- Degree requirements cannot be waived.
Note: Each major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each major
Art Education Emphasis
Core Courses, Plus
- ART 209 - Photography 1 4 Hour(s)
- ART 201 - Painting I 4 Hour(s)
- ART 211 - Gallery/Museum Experience 1 - 2 Hour(s)
- ART 220 - Sculpture I 4 Hour(s)
- ART 225 - Ceramics I 4 Hour(s)
- ART 230 - Printmaking I 4 Hour(s)
- ART 235 - Art Metals 4 Hour(s)
- GRC 150 - Digital Toolbox - Photoshop/ Illustrator 1 4 Hour(s)
Bachelor of Science Requirements
The requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree are:
- CMP 112 - Computational Thinking I 4 Hour(s)
- CMP 114 - Computational Thinking II - Statistical Analysis Emphasis 4 Hour(s) or
- MAT 140 - Calculus and Its Applications 4 Hour(s)
- CSC 110 - Problem-Solving through Programming 4 Hour(s)
- ENG 170 - Writing Seminar 4 Hour(s)
- Degree requirements cannot be waived.
Note: Each major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each major
Internships
We help you build real-world experience, explore careers, and network with professionals through internship opportunities. Recent placements include the following companies:
- Donna Lexa Art Centers
- John Michael Kohler Arts Center
- Milwaukee Art Museum
- Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
- Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum
The University participates in three types of financial aid programs for its International students: scholarships, grants, and employment.
Scholarships
Carroll University offers completive scholarships for international undergraduate students. 100 percent of Carroll University students receive scholarship assistance, which helps them find a balance between studies, work, and extra-curricular activities. Scholarships play a key role in maintaining Carroll's accessibility for all students. On average our international scholarship covers 45-55% of the cost of attendance for full-time undergraduate students.
Grants
Grants are awarded based upon a student’s demonstrated financial need in addition to the guaranteed International scholarship. Like scholarships, grants are considered gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
Student Employment
University employment opportunities allow students to work part-time on campus, earn an hourly wage and receive a monthly paycheck while attending Carroll. Students may work from approximately five to fourteen hours each week. The number of hours a student may work depends upon the student’s financial aid award. International students get awarded an average of $2,000-$2,500 in university employment grants every year.