BA Art Studies

The Corcoran’s Bachelor of Arts program is uniquely designed for either full-time or part-time students with a deep interest in the visual arts who also excel in the study of writing, art history, literature, cultural and media theory, and other academic areas. The program benefits those wishing to join the intensive practice of art that only a nationally recognized college and museum dedicated to art and design can provide. Working professionals, traditional college students, and those returning back to college all add to the classroom experience and are welcome additions to the program.

The 120-credit program allows students to hone the skills needed to excel professionally in today’s creative economy by developing a knowledge base of contemporary art, new media, the history of art, creative and analytical writing, museum practices, and critical theory. In addition to courses related to your academic concentration, you will also be taking studio classes alongside Bachelor of Fine Arts students who major in a variety of art and design disciplines, and benefit from the same experienced instructors. Additional information for part-time students will be available soon.

Gain Experience in the Real World

Bachelor of Arts students take full advantage of the Corcoran College of Art + Design’s renowned faculty and Library, the College’s close affiliation with the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and its location within a vibrant urban center filled with world-class museums, libraries, bookstores, art galleries, and other cultural institutions that are unique to Washington, D.C. Our city area offers a wide range of professional internships available for students, including, MTV, Major League Baseball, America Online, The Washington Post,  and National Geographic Magazine.

Sample Curriculum*

YEAR 1 COURSES

Art History I & II
Writing I & II
Resources
Drawing
Modern Art
Contemporary Culture
Humanities I & II

YEAR 2, 3, and 4 COURSES

Criticism & Theory Electives
Academic Concentration Electives
Arts & Humanities Electives
Studio Concentrations
Studio Electives
Senior Thesis Workshop
Senior Thesis Directed Study
Internship

TOTAL: 120 credits

Sample Elective Courses

From Baudelaire to Blog
Art as Social Action
Poetics Off the Page
History of Exhibitions: 1850-Present
Arts and Crafts to Ikea
Language
Political Washington
The Dream Screen
Digital Media Virtual Culture
Art in the Museum and Community Organizations

*Courses subject to change

Art Studies Faculty

Tom Beck
Adjunct Instructor

Mark Cameron Boyd
Adjunct Professor of Art Theory

Candace Edgerley
Adjunct Instructor

Gillian Elliott

Susan Fox
Professor

Andy Grundberg
Professor, Dean, Associate Provost

Barbara Januszkiewicz
Watercolor at MPA

Katherine Knight
Part-Time Undergraduate Faculty

Tamara Laird
Associate faculty

Jung-Sil Lee
Adjunct Faculty

Lisa Lipinski
Chair of Arts and Humanities

Antonio McAfee
Adjunct Instructor

Laura McGough
Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Stephen Petersen

Camden M. Richards
Adjunct Faculty

Casey Smith
Assistant Professor

Bernard Welt
Professor

Examples of Student Work

Related Student Groups and Organizations

Apply Today!