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Studio Art, B.A.

College of Arts and Sciences

Get hands-on experience with many art forms in the largest university art department in South Carolina, while maintaining a close-knit environment with excellent faculty mentors.

Our program encompasses seven areas of concentration: graphic design and illustration, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and 3D studies. These areas are taught by accomplished, award-winning artists who strongly emphasize creativity and invention, allowing you to explore your own unique artistic vision.

Program Highlights

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    Flexibility and Adaptability

    Explore a variety of materials and methods in both 2D and 3D artmaking.

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    Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities

    Collaborate with other programs across the university with a great degree for students interested in double-majoring.

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    Technical Skills

    Gain an understanding of the principles of visual organization to communicate through multiple art media.

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    Pre-Professional Training

    Exhibit your work on campus, or apply for competitive undergraduate residences at Columbia's Stormwater Studios.

What You’ll Study

Some of the most popular courses include Introduction to Jewelry Making and our drawing sequence with intermediate, advanced and capstone courses. Practice creating art in well-equipped studios, including a woodshop, an outdoor forging area, a jewelry and metalsmithing studio, and more.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Graphic Design

    Creating visual content to communicate messages effectively

    Artistic Skill

    Demonstrating proficiency and talent in creating, expressing and interpreting visual or performing arts

    Creativity

    Thinking imaginatively, generating original ideas and expressing unique perspectives through art and innovation

  • Attention to Detail

    Being meticulous and thorough in all aspects of a task or project

    Collaboration

    Working with others to achieve a common goal or objective

    Problem Solving

    Identifying, analyzing and resolving problems or challenges using creative and effective strategies

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

  • Artist
  • Art Director
  • Museum or Gallery Professional
  • Art Handler
  • Art Consultant
  • Art Educator

Job Titles of Alumni

  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
  • Fine Artist
  • Principal Creative
  • Shop Manager / Tattoo Apprentice
  • Teacher

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $66,398

Workplace Settings

  • Creative Industries
  • Art Studios
  • Design Studios
  • Education
  • Museums and Galleries

Employers of Alumni

  • Google
  • Nike
  • Richland Library
  • Hubbell Incorporated
  • University of South Carolina
  • Gupta Media

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

I’ve always had a passion for creating, and I just knew USC was the right choice for me. The staff was so welcoming, open-minded and wildly talented. I knew that my creativity and ideas would thrive here.

Lizzie Lewis
Portrait of Lizzie Lewis

Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
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