Programs of Study
People proficient in the language of art play an important role in today’s global community. Those who study art become active inquirers, thinkers
and problem solvers not just passive learners who memorize ideas. The Art Department wants students to think, evaluate and create. We encourage students to be more concerned about what kind of person they want to be, rather than what kind of career they want to follow. We are convinced that the study of art in the context of a liberal arts program is the best preparation for a multitude of professional opportunities.

Students who major in Art, select a concentration in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Photography or Art Education. All majors meet frequently with faculty. The Art Department's faculty members are artists with records of significant academic achievement. Because of the extraordinary student/faculty ratio, students are able to investigate ideas and develop a mature body of work on a one-to-one basis.

National and international visiting artists and exhibitors engage students in the discovery of new ideas and processes, opening doors to other viewpoints and other parts of the world. Travel opportunities also broaden a student's perspective. Each year, the Art Department organizes trips to urban art centers such as New York City or Washington D.C. to visit museums, galleries and special exhibitions. Other travel opportunities include Art Department sponsored programs in Europe and the annual Susan Coker Watson Scholarship for travel abroad which has provided grants for senior art majors to study in Belgium, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico and Africa.

Studio or Fine Arts students develop a broad appreciation for a variety of artistic styles and techniques while focusing on a particular area of interest. It prepares students for careers in the arts and art related fields through the development of a professional portfolio. Students concentrating in Fine Arts may also continue their studies on an advanced level in graduate school.

Graphic Design students develop skills in a wide range of areas related to graphic design, from typographical design, page layout, package design, and illustration to web design and web animation. Students also learn the technical aspects of preparing art for printing. A concentration in Graphic Design prepares students for careers in most forms of graphic design (web interface and print), advertising, illustration, and publishing as well as preparation for advanced study in graduate school.

Photography combines a selection of courses in the studio arts with a concentration in the art and techniques of photography, both tradition and digital. The Photography concentration prepares students for careers as commercial or studio photographers as well as for further growth and study in graduate school.

Art Education offers a rich assortment of studio courses in addition to teaching methods courses to prepare students to fill the current demand for high quality art teachers in grades 1-12. Coker College's Art Education Program is accredited by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification.