BACHELOR OF ART • MINOR
Art
The BA in Art helps students develop skills across media like painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, and photography. Students create work daily, exhibit in the Hillmer Art Gallery, and gain hands-on experience in a professional studio environment while building artistic, critical, and creative capacity.
Dig Deeper Into the program
Explore curriculum details, studio experiences, internships, and opportunities that shape your creative growth and prepare you for professional success.
Degrees Offered
- Bachelors & Minor
Start Terms
- Fall or Spring
Program Format
- On-campus
- Select classes available online to provide added flexibility for students
Credit Hours & Timeline
- Total credits required: 128
- Typical completion time: 4 years
- Credits for minor: 18
Develop your creative voice while building a strong foundation in visual art and design. The Art curriculum blends studio practice with art history, preparing you for creative careers or graduate study.
- Studio courses in drawing, painting, design and more
- Study of art history and visual culture
- Opportunities to explore multiple mediums and techniques
- Portfolio development for careers or graduate school
- Hands-on projects and exhibitions to showcase your work
Applicants for admission are evaluated based on the following criteria to gain full admission.
- High school record of cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. An applicant for a degree program must have graduated or will have graduated with 16 high school units from an accredited high school. The college preparatory program is strongly recommended to high school students. Ordinarily this program includes four years of English and two years of social studies, science, and mathematics.
- College/university record of cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, if applicable.
Applicants who do not meet the following criteria and show potential for success may be reviewed for an alternate admissions pathway.
Students who have successfully completed the General Education Development Test (GED) and have not accumulated at least 12 collegiate level semester hours credit at a regionally accredited institution with a 2.5 GPA or better will follow the Alternate Admissions Pathway.
Applications open July 1 for the upcoming academic year. CSM follows a rolling admission process, reviewing applications as they are received. We encourage students to apply early for priority consideration for scholarships, housing, and financial aid.
The Mercy Core is CSM’s general education curriculum and the foundation of every degree. Rooted in the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy, it integrates ethics, reflection, and action to prepare women to lead with purpose and advance justice in their communities.
Tuition & Aid
Investing in your education is a big decision, and you do not have to navigate it alone. Every admitted full-time undergraduate student is guaranteed a merit scholarship, and CSM offers additional aid and personalized guidance to make your degree attainable. Our team will walk you through your options so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Your Roadmap to Admission
From application to enrollment, we guide you through each step with clarity and personal support so you can focus on what matters most and take the next step toward your future.
Why Choose CSM?
Professional Studio Experience
Create daily in dedicated studio spaces across multiple media while building a strong, career-ready portfolio grounded in rigorous artistic training.
Real-World Preparation
Complete an internship and senior thesis exhibition that translate creative talent into professional opportunity and tangible career outcomes.
Women-Centered Artistic Growth
In a women’s college environment, your voice is amplified. Small classes and personalized mentorship help you grow confidently as both an artist and leader.
Mercy-Grounded Purpose
Through the Mercy Core curriculum, you connect artistic excellence with ethical awareness, preparing to use your creative gifts to serve and strengthen communities.
Baright Art Studio
Opened in 2023, the Hollis and Helen Baright Art Studio offers modern, state-of-the-art creative space designed to support hands-on learning, experimentation, and professional-level artistic production.
Careers For Art Majors
- Graphic designer, illustrator, or multimedia artist
- Museum, gallery, or arts administration professional
- Art educator or community arts leader
- Freelance or entrepreneurial creative professional
Art majors often pair their degree with a minor in areas like business, marketing, or education to expand career options and strengthen professional versatility.
ART Fast Facts
Multiple Mediums
Creative Exploration
Work in drawing, painting, design, and more.
1,700 SQUARE FEET
Baright Art Studio
State-of-the-art studio space for students use.
Portfolio
Career-Ready Work
Graduate with a professional portfolio.
Our Students In Action
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
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Wherever you’re starting from, we’ll help you build a future with confidence.