The new program will launch in the Fall 2026 semester and includes three distinct concentrations: Art History, Fashion Design, and Studio Art.
Miami University is introducing a new bachelor degree program for the Fall 2026 semester. The Bachelor of Arts in Art degree will include three concentrations, Art History, Fashion Design, and Studio Art, that will allow students to specialize in their interest and prepare for a career in the visual arts.
According to an article on Miami University’s website, Amanda Alexander, the chair of the Department of Art, was quoted as saying of the new degree program, “We designed the BA in Art to bridge creative practice with intellectual inquiry. This new degree invites students to study, make, interpret, and innovate across multiple visual disciplines, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly evolving culture.”
The degree will prepare students for all aspects of a career in visual art, including marketing, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, collaboration, and global perspectives. Students will have the opportunity for hands-on creative expression in their chosen medium, and will also receive classroom learning centered on global and historical perspectives in art.
Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Art program will be able to choose from three distinct concentrations that give students the ability to specialize in their chosen field: Art History, Fashion Design, and Studio Art. Each will offer its own unique opportunities for students to participate in and network, learn, and practice.
The Art History concentration will give students the opportunity to work with the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum to study world history through art, including paintings, sculptures, film, and architecture. There will also be opportunities to study abroad in Florence, Rome, Venice, Dublin, and the Czech Republic, and a capstone project that will involve curating exhibitions.
The Fashion Design concentration will give students space to develop their own sense of creativity and self expression through fashion design. They will be able to participate in the Miami University Fashion and Design Fashion Show, take part in internships, and study abroad in Luxembourg or Florence and study away in New York City.
The Studio Art concentration allows students to practice hands-on technical skills in painting, photography, ceramics, and animation, as well as develop their own creative voice. Students will also learn about art discourse both contemporary and historical.
Speaking of the wide ranging applications of the skills learned in the program, Ryan Fisher, who serves as the dean of the College of Creative Arts’ Department, said, “With its blend of creativity, scholarship, and professional preparation, the new BA in Art expands Miami University’s commitment to providing students with a transformative arts education. The program equips graduates with the visual acuity, cultural understanding, and communication skills necessary for success in a wide spectrum of fields — from museums and cultural institutions to design, communications, fashion, education, and beyond.”
The program has been designed to be flexible, with students encouraged to take on another major or minor to complement their art studies.
For more information about Miami University, visit the school’s website.