B.A. in Biology
Whittier College, located in Whittier, California, offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in ...
B.A. in Art
Whittier, California
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The B.A. in Art at Whittier College provides a comprehensive and flexible approach to art education, allowing students to choose from several distinct tracks: Studio Art, Art History & Visual Culture, Digital Art & Design, and a Balanced Curriculum that integrates both studio and art history coursework. This multifaceted approach ensures that students can tailor their studies to align with their specific interests and career aspirations, whether they seek to become practicing artists, art historians, designers, or educators. The program emphasizes the power of visual communication and its impact on society.
Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to provide a strong theoretical and practical grounding in visual arts. Core foundational courses typically include introductions to 2-D and 3-D art, drawing, and an introduction to visual culture/media. Depending on their chosen track, students delve into specialized areas. The Studio Art track emphasizes concepts, materials, and methods of contemporary art-making, with concentrations available in painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography. The Art History & Visual Culture track focuses on the making, circulation, and reception of images across time and cultures, utilizing the rich museum resources of the Los Angeles area. The Digital Art & Design track is geared towards the commercial application of visual art and design principles, covering areas like graphic design, animation, game art, web design, and digital illustration. The Balanced Curriculum track offers an integrated experience in both studio art and art history, often recommended for those considering K-12 art education. All tracks encourage advanced seminars and senior projects, culminating in a showcase of their refined skills and intellectual understanding.
Research Focus: While art programs inherently involve creative production, Whittier College's B.A. in Art also emphasizes critical inquiry and scholarly research, particularly within the Art History & Visual Culture track. Students engage in rigorous analysis of art objects and their cultural contexts, often utilizing local art collections at renowned institutions like the Getty Center, LACMA, and the Huntington Library. Even within studio and design tracks, students are encouraged to research and understand the historical, cultural, and societal influences shaping visual media. The program fosters a spirit of intellectual curiosity, with students encouraged to present their work at the annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) conference, demonstrating their ability to conduct in-depth research and articulate their artistic and critical perspectives.
Industry Engagement: Whittier College's advantageous location in Southern California, proximate to the vibrant Los Angeles art and design scene, provides unparalleled opportunities for industry engagement. The Department of Art & Visual Studies actively encourages and facilitates internships with world-class museums, galleries, design firms, and other creative industries. Students have gained invaluable hands-on experience at institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Getty Center, and various design agencies. The Weingart Center for Career and Professional Development plays a crucial role in connecting students with these professional opportunities, helping them build resumes, network with industry professionals, and secure positions after graduation. Alumni success stories highlight graduates working as graphic designers, museum professionals, and in various roles within the broader creative economy, demonstrating the program's practical relevance.
Global Perspective: A global perspective is woven into the fabric of Whittier College's liberal arts education, and the B.A. in Art is no exception. Through art history courses, students explore diverse artistic traditions and visual cultures from around the world, fostering a broad understanding of global artistic expressions. The college strongly advocates for study abroad programs, providing opportunities for students to immerse themselves in different cultural contexts and experience art and design in a global setting. This international exposure, combined with a curriculum that encourages critical analysis of global visual phenomena, prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to an increasingly interconnected and visually-driven world.
Location
Whittier, California
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 53019
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 80 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Whittier College offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for international students to help make a high-quality education affordable and accessible. These scholarships reward academic excellence, leadership, and other talents while supporting diversity and global engagement on campus.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students are eligible for merit scholarships based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and leadership qualities. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically upon admission consideration or through separate applications.
International Student Academic Scholarships: Whittier College provides dedicated academic scholarships for international applicants, which recognize outstanding academic records from students worldwide. These awards typically range from partial to substantial tuition reductions and are renewable each year based on satisfactory academic performance.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While international students do not qualify for federal financial aid, Whittier College offers some need-based assistance through institutional funds. International applicants must submit a financial aid application along with supporting documents to be considered for these awards.
Specialized and Departmental Scholarships: Certain departments and programs at Whittier may have specific scholarships for international students who demonstrate excellence or interest in particular fields, such as business, sciences, or the arts. These awards encourage students to pursue their academic passions with financial support.
A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art from Whittier College equips graduates with a diverse and highly adaptable skill set, extending far beyond traditional art creation. The program cultivates creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, visual communication, and technical mastery, making its alumni valuable assets in a wide array of industries.
Graphic Designer: This is a direct and popular path, especially for those in the Digital Art & Design track. Graduates create visual concepts for branding, advertising, websites, and various digital and print media, leveraging their understanding of aesthetics, typography, and software.
UX/UI Designer (User Experience/User Interface Designer): Combining artistic sensibilities with an understanding of human interaction, UX/UI designers focus on creating intuitive and visually appealing digital products (websites, apps). The problem-solving and critical thinking skills honed in an art program are highly relevant here.
Museum Professional (e.g., Collections Manager, Exhibition Designer, Registrar): Art History & Visual Culture majors are well-suited for roles in museums and galleries. This can involve managing art collections, designing engaging exhibitions, or handling the logistics of artwork acquisition and display.
Art Educator (K-12 or Community Programs): Graduates with a passion for teaching can pursue careers as art teachers in schools or lead art workshops and programs in community centers. The Balanced Curriculum track at Whittier is particularly beneficial for this path.
Animator / Multimedia Artist: Specializing in the Digital Art & Design track, graduates can work in film, television, video games, or advertising, creating moving images, special effects, and interactive media.
Marketing & Advertising Specialist: The strong visual communication and creative problem-solving skills developed in an art degree are highly valuable in marketing and advertising. Graduates can contribute to visual campaigns, content creation, and brand storytelling for diverse companies.
Freelance Artist / Illustrator: For those dedicated to their personal artistic practice, a B.A. in Art provides the foundation and discipline needed to pursue a career as a self-employed artist, illustrator, or fine artist, creating and selling their own work.
Photographer / Videographer: With strong technical skills and an artistic eye cultivated in the program, graduates can pursue careers in commercial photography, photojournalism, event photography, or videography for various industries.
Art Administrator / Arts Program Coordinator: Graduates can work behind the scenes in the arts, managing operations for galleries, non-profit arts organizations, or cultural institutions. This role often involves event planning, fundraising, and community engagement.
Content Creator / Social Media Manager: In today's visually driven digital landscape, art majors are well-equipped to create compelling visual content for brands, individuals, or organizations across social media platforms, leveraging their design and communication skills.
