The bachelor's degree in art at NDMU helps you develop your creative potential and prepare for a wide variety of art-related careers. Core classes provide a strong foundation in diverse media and introduce significant art movements throughout history and across cultures. This foundation is essential to understanding not only the tradition of the visual arts, but the fundamental role it serves in the world today. Building on the core, art majors select an area of emphasis in Studio Art, Photography, Art History, Pre-Museum Studies in Art, or Art Education to hone skills in an area that aligns with your goals after graduation.
Customize Your Education
At NDMU, our strength is our ability to weave your unique interests into your individual education. Faculty and advisors will help you craft an experience based on your aspirations through course electives or minors.
For example, an art major that aspires to launch a new creative agency could pair a minor in business or entrepreneurship. Another studying studio art could also pursue teaching, either by taking a few extra classes to earn a certification or by staying a 5th year to earn a Master of Art in Teaching (MAT).
Notre Dame offers courses in a wide variety of fields and subject areas, so the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Features of the Art Program
- Civera Gallery – student-run exhibit space on campus that showcases student and alum artwork
- Gormley Gallery – gallery features three professional art exhibits per semester on campus
- Art Lunchtime Lecture Series – Monthly talks feature professionals from art-related careers
- Senior Exhibition – Gallery exhibit features work from senior art majors
- Small Class Sizes – Professors tailor instruction to personal interests
- Vibrant Art Scene – Classes take field trips to local museums and galleries
- Professionalization – Senior Seminar prepares art majors for the transition to careers in the arts
- Experiential Learning – Students gain real-world experience outside of the classroom though internships and service-learning
Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission requirements for the Undergraduate Studies, art portfolios are required for admission into the Art Education, Photography, and Studio Art programs and are also used to determine recipients of the Art Scholarship awards.
Art Scholarships
Incoming art majors and minors can apply for one of several NDMU art scholarships through our Art Scholarship Competition.
Art Scholarship Details
- Up to $20,000 Awards (Scholarships up to $5,000 per year)
- Open to high school seniors and transfer students entering the Undergraduate Studies
- Preferred Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
Art Careers
A degree in art can prepare you for a variety of career paths including:
- Designer/Illustrator
- Fine Artist
- Museum Curator/Historian
- Photographer
- Teacher
Additional Info
Sample program of study for the art history major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
| ENG-101 College Writing | 3 | 141 Global Art History 2 | 3 |
| 140 Global Art History 1 | 3 | Physical Education | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | Philosophy (200 level) | 3 |
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 2 | NDMU-100L Experiential Laboratory: Perspectives on Education and Culture | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | Studio Requirement | 3 |
| COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 | ||
| General Education/Elective | 3 | ||
| [16 credits] | [18 credits] | ||
Second Year |
|||
| Art History Elective | 3 | Studio/Lab Requirement | 3 |
| Art History Requirement | 3 | Art History Requirement | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | Social Science | 3 |
| Religious Studies (100/200) | 3 | PHL-320 Aesthetics | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Third Year |
|||
| Art History Elective | 3 | Art History Requirement | 3 |
| Art History Requirement | 3 | Art History Elective | 3 |
| Studio Requirement | 3 | Religious Studies (300/400) | 3 |
| Natural Science | 4 | Studio Requirement | 3 |
| History | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| [16 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Fourth Year |
|||
| Studio Requirement | 3 | Art History Elective | 3 |
| Art History Elective | 3 | ART-440 Senior Seminar | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | General Education/Electives | 9 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Sample program of study for the photography major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
| ENG-101 College Writing | 3 | ART-101 Drawing I | 3 |
| ART-109 Basic Photography | 3 | ART-162 Digital Photo | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | Philosophy (200 level) | 3 |
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 2 | NDMU-100L Experiential Laboratory: Perspectives on Education and Culture |
2 |
| Math or History | 3 | RST-201 Introduction to Biblical Studies | 3 |
| COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 | ||
| Physical Education | 1 | ||
| [15 credits] | [18 credits] | ||
Second Year |
|||
| ART-102 Color & Design | 3 | ART-121Survey II | 3 |
| 140 Global Art History 1 | 3 | ART-142 Painting I | 3 |
| ART-209 Black & White Photography | 3 | ART-419 Digital Photo | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | ART-363 Color Photo | 3 |
| Natural Science | 4 | Philosophy (300/400 level) | 3 |
| [16 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Third Year |
|||
| Art Photography Elective | 3 | ART-368 Alternate Photography Processes | 3 |
| ART-315 Explorations of Women in Art | 3 | ART-342 History & Aesthetics of Photography | 3 |
| Art Photography Elective | 3 | English Literature | 3 |
| Religious Studies (300/400 level) | 3 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| Social Science | 3 | [15 credits] | |
| [15 credits] | |||
Fourth Year |
|||
| ART-406 Advanced Photo | 3 | ART-460 Photo Senior Studio | 3 |
| ART-364 Studio Photography | 3 | ART-440 Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ART-470 Practicum in Photography | 3 | Art photography Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Sample program of study for the studio art major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
| ENG-101 College Writing | 3 | ART-141 | 3 |
| ART-101 Drawing I | 3 | ART-103 Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART-102 Color & Design | 3 | Philosophy (200 level) | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | History | 3 |
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 2 | NDMU-100L Experiential Laboratory: Perspectives on Education and Culture |
2 |
| COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 | ||
| Physical Education | 1 | ||
| [15 credits] | [18 credits] | ||
Second Year |
|||
| ART-201 or 202 Drawing II or Painting II | 3 | ART-301 or 302 Drawing III or Painting III | 3 |
| ART-109 or 162 Photo | 3 | ART-142 Painting I | 3 |
| 140 Global Art History 1 | 3 | ART-204 Watercolor Painting | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | Mathematics | 3 |
| RST-201 Introduction to Biblical Studies | 3 | Philosophy (300/400 level) | 3 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Third Year |
|||
| ART-321 Life Drawing I* | 3 | ART-301 or 302 Drawing III or Painting III | 3 |
| Art History elective | 3 | ART-205 Printmaking | 3 |
| Natural Science | 4 | Art History Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | Religious Studies (300/400 lev) | 3 |
| [16 credits] | General Education/Elective | 3 | |
| [15 credits] | |||
Fourth Year |
|||
| Studio Elective | 3 | ART-401 or 402 Drawing or Painting IV | 3 |
| Art History Elective | 3 | ART-440 Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ART-463 Independent Study | 3 | Art History Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Sample program of study for the art pre-museum major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
| ENG-101 College Writing | 3 | 141 Global Art History 2 | 3 |
| 140 Global Art History 1 | 3 | Art History Requirement | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | Studio Requirement | 3 |
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 2 | NDMU-100L Experiential Laboratory: Perspectives on Education and Culture |
2 |
| Mathematics | 3 | Philosophy (200 level) | 3 |
| COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 | ||
| Physical Education | 1 | ||
| [16 credits] | [18 credits] | ||
Second Year |
|||
| Studio Requirement | 3 | Art History Requirement | 3 |
| Art History Requirement | 3 | Social Science | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | PHL-320 Aesthetics | 3 |
| Religious Studies (100/200 level) | 3 | Studio Requirement | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Third Year |
|||
| Studio Requirement | 3 | Art History Elective | 3 |
| Art History Requirement | 3 | Religious Studies (300/400 lev) | 3 |
| Natural Science | 4 | Studio Requirement | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| [16 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Fourth Year |
|||
| Art History Electives | 6 | ART-440 Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ART-470 Practicum | 3 | ART-465 Directed Readings | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | ART-471 Practicum | 3 |
| [15 credits] | General Education/Electives | 6 | |
| [15 credits] | |||
Sample program of study for the art education major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
| ENG-101 Expository Writing | 3 | ART-141 | 3 |
| ART-101 Drawing I | 3 | ART-103 Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART-102 Color & Design | 3 | Philosophy (200 level) | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | History | 3 |
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 2 | NDMU-100L Experiential Laboratory: Perspectives on Education and Culture |
2 |
| COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 | ||
| Physical Education | 1 | ||
| [15 credits] | [18 credits] | ||
Second Year |
|||
| ART-201 or 202 Drawing II or Painting II | 3 | ART-270 Media and Techniques for Art Teachers | 3 |
| ART-109 or 162 Photo | 3 | ART-301 or 302 Drawing III or Painting III | 3 |
| 140 Global Art History 1 | 3 | ART-142 Painting I | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | ART-204 Watercolor Painting | 3 |
| RST-201 Introduction to Biblical Studies | 3 | Philosophy (300/400 level) | 3 |
| [15 credits] | Mathematics | 3 | |
| [18 credits] | |||
WinterimEDU-252 Clinical Field Experience |
|||
Third Year |
|||
| ART-321 Life Drawing I* | 3 | ART-301 or 302 Drawing III or Painting III | 3 |
| Art History Elective | 3 | ART-205 Printmaking or 206 | 3 |
| Natural Science | 4 | Art History Elective | 3 |
| Methods of Teaching N-12 | 3 | Religious Studies (300/400 lev) | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| [19 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
WinterimClinical Field Experience |
|||
Fourth Year |
|||
| Student Teaching EDU-411 | 12 | ART-401 or 402 Drawing IV or Painting IV | 3 |
| [12 credits] | ART-440 Senior Seminar | 3 | |
| Art History Elective | 3 | ||
| General Education/Electives | 6 | ||
| [15 credits] | |||