Undergraduate Majors


Welcome. Increasingly the world communicates across generations and cultures in languages created by individuals trained in the visual arts and design. The goal of the School of Art is to engage and educate students in the diverse and important issues of visual literacy, the creative process, and an awareness of visual communication. The students, faculty, and staff in the School of Art at the University of Washington invite you to join us in an exploration of our teaching, research and practice of the visual arts.

What you should know before deciding on a major...
The School of Art offers a diverse education in the visual arts within the context of one of the nation's outstanding teaching and research institutions. Each major in the SoA is designed to allow undergraduates to explore their learning objectives, develop their intellectual and creative strength, and plan for future careers within the specific learning context of the visual arts while benefiting from the diversity and excellence of broad learning in the liberal arts tradition. We encourage all prospective students to review and investigate our degree programs: Art History, Ceramics, Design Studies, Fibers, Industrial Design, Interdisciplinary Visual Art, Metals, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, and Visual Communication Design.

Prepare before you apply to the University of Washington!

  • Look at the big picture first. Before deciding on the UW School of Art it is a good idea to investigate other options based on how you have defined your educational and or career goals. For example, we offer many excellent programs but the fields of learning in the visual arts are limitless. If you are interested in a degree in which we do not offer course work such as photojournalism, fashion design, interior design, illustration, animation, etc. you will want to consider other options. Universities, Colleges, and Art Schools across the country offer diverse and specialized programs that you can investigate. These two web sites are a good place to start your research: Art School Degree Programs and Artschools.com.
  • Check out all your options at the University of Washington. There are 120 different majors at the UW. As a student you have a once in a lifetime opportunity to take advantage of learning and discovery in many diverse and exciting areas of study. Investigation of the following web sites will give you a broad introduction to undergraduate education and life at the UW: UW Home page / UW College of Arts and Sciences / UW Undergraduate Admissions
  • UW Office of Admissions offers regular tours designed to introduce prospective students to the Seattle campus. For dates and times, please contact the Visitation Office by email or phone their office at 206-543-5429.
  • Read How to Choose a Major and Investigate Careers
  • Keep in mind that the UW requires students to declare their major by the time they have accumulated 105 credits - typically by the first quarter of your junior year. Many students in the School of Art prefer to declare much earlier because it gives them a chance to take full advantage of the opportunity to concentrate their learning in the visual arts while still benefiting from opportunities in other areas of study.
  • Read the Program Guides. They will provide you with specific information about each of our 11 Programs. These guides are also available in room 104 of the Art Building, M-F, 8 am-4 pm.
  • Keep in mind that all our Programs are competitive and the selection processes vary.
  • Develop Options. This is the best strategy to insure that you settle in a major that is best suited to your goals. We recommend that you begin to investigate and explore three or more different majors before you apply to the UW. They may be three in the same field, in complementary areas of study, or completely diverse disciplines. As a freshman and sophomore, systematically enroll in the introductory/prerequisite classes offered in each major you have identified. This will help insure that you satisfy your educational and career goals no matter which major you finally select.
  • Share your questions or concerns with us. We encourage you to contact our professional advising staff in the School of Art Academic Advising and Students Services Office. For questions, email us. Quick question drop-in hours 104 Art, M-Th, 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Information Sessions are offered every month at 4 pm, room 003 of the Art Building, UW Seattle campus.