2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Visual and Media Arts
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.
Website: gvsu.edu/vma
The Department of Visual and Media Arts offers courses with degree programs leading to a B.A. or B.S. degree in art education and a B.A. in art history, B.A. or B.S. degree in film and video production, photography and studio art, a B.F.A. degree in studio art with an emphasis in ceramics, graphic design, illustration, jewelry and metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, or visual studies. Minors are available in art history, photography, and studio art. The degree programs in Visual and Media Arts combine intensive studio training in the visual arts with a liberal arts education. The programs are designed to support students' acquisition of conceptual and technical skills while fostering their awareness of current issues, theoretical frameworks, as well as the historical and cultural contexts for visual and media arts production.
Coursework is augmented by field trips, a campus student exhibition program, campus and off-campus student film screenings, visiting artists and filmmakers, and international programs. Internships and independent study also enhance coursework, especially in film and video production, graphic design, and photography, where off-campus field experience is required or recommended.
Admission
Students admitted to Grand Valley State University who declare an interest in pursuing an art history, film and video production, photography, or studio art degree can begin to register for the introductory courses. Students admitted to Grand Valley who are pursuing the art education degree will receive a materials packet explaining the portfolio entrance. The student is then responsible for following the instructions in the packet. In addition, film and video production, requires a secondary admission. Students can find details on the website or consult with their academic advisor. More information regarding application for art education admission and the film and video production secondary admission is available online at gvsu.edu/vma. Photography and studio art emphasis programs do not require secondary admission.
Transfer Students
- Transfer students pursuing art history, film and video production and photography degrees will be able to receive transfer credit for those courses approved as an equivalent course from their previous institution. The registrar's office will be able to provide course equivalency information.
- Transfer students pursuing art education will be able to receive transfer credit for those courses approved as an equivalent course from their previous institution. Other courses are evaluated by a transfer portfolio review at the time of admittance to the department. Contact the department for application information and specific details.
- Transfer students pursuing studio art will be able to receive transfer credit for those courses approved as an equivalent course from their previous institution. Other courses are evaluated by the appropriate emphasis program coordinator. Contact the department for specific details.
- Transfer students pursuing studio art and art education are required to take a minimum of 15 art credits within the department, including one art history course.
- Transfer students may take longer to graduate in the B.F.A. or art education programs because of the high number of professional courses required in those programs and the potential sequencing necessary for skill development.
- Admission information on how to apply to the Department of Visual and Media Arts is available online at gvsu.edu/vma.
Accreditation
The department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Program Requirements
The following programs are available: