Department of Art

Art Education

Students seeking certification to become a Visual Art Specialist and become certified to teach art at the elementary and secondary level should combine a major in art with a major in education.  To successfully complete the requirements of both departments students should have advisors in education and in art. 

Special Study Opportunities

The Art Department offers a wide variety of courses that seek to prepare students to successfully encounter the contemporary art world. The program encourages students to understand and synthesize traditions and to confront challenging ideas and emerging technologies. The learning environment in the department emphasizes personal expression, alternative approaches, and experimentation. At the same time, the department stresses fundamental concepts that unify all art and yet allow infinite variation. The Art Department shares the belief that intensive work, study, and involvement in art prepare the student for professional art training or personal career goals. For those students wishing to gain teacher certification in the state of Missouri, courses are offered that prepare an individual to teach at either the elementary or secondary level. For more information, see the School of Education section.

A limited number of talent scholarships are available to qualified students. Other special opportunities include:

• Annual Cecille R. Hunt Undergraduate Juried Art Show and the Cecille R. Hunt Senior Art Awards
• BFA exhibit held in public gallery
• Senior exhibit in the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery
• Exhibits of professional works throughout the year in the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery

Special Requirements

Entering students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in visual culture must either present a portfolio of her/his work or submit a writing sample (two pages) on a topic concerning art or visual culture. Portfolio reviews can be scheduled with the Director of the Arts Programs in Vienna, and writing samples should be submitted with the student's application for admission to Webster University in Vienna.

Entering students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in art history and criticism must submit either a portfolio of their work or a writing sample. Appointments for portfolio interviews can be scheduled through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and writing samples should be submitted with the student's application for admission.

All other entering students must present a portfolio for initial acceptance into the art program.

Courses completed with a grade of D do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

Senior Overview

In order to graduate with a BA with a studio emphasis, students must successfully complete a senior overview and participate in the senior show held at the end of the spring semester in the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery.

The senior overview usually consists of work done during the final semester of the senior year in one of the indicated studio areas. The work to be shown can be either a part of a regular studio course or a studio-related independent study. Students are sent Senior Overview forms immediately prior to the beginning of the last semester of their senior year. Students designate on their form the studio course in which they intend to do their senior overview. The instructor for that course becomes the student's senior overview advisor. Work submitted is subject to approval by the senior overview advisor and the director for the senior show. Students graduating at the completion of a summer are expected to exhibit in the show prior to completion of coursework. Students graduating in December are expected to hold their work for inclusion in the show following their completion of studies.

Transfer Students

Transfer students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in studio art must take 15 or more studio credit hours at Webster University.

Transfer students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in art history and criticism must take a minimum of 12 art history credit hours and 6 studio credit hours at Webster University. Art history and criticism transfer students must petition the Art Department for acceptance into the department.

Transfer students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in visual culture must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in departmental courses at Webster University.

Transfer students seeking a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) must take at least 24 studio credit hours (a minimum of 6 credit hours must be in drawing). Transfer students seeking a BFA with an emphasis in drawing must take a minimum of 18 credit hours in drawing at Webster University.

Transfer students should expect to complete the departmental requirements in a minimum of two academic years.