Undergraduate Art Degree

Degrees Granted
BA, BFA, Minor
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Location
Garden City

Hone your skills and develop a unique creative vision with an undergraduate degree in art, then prepare to make your mark in the art world.

Why Earn Your BA or BFA in Studio Art?

Both the bachelor’s degree in art (BA) and bachelor’s degree in fine arts (BFA) unlock exciting career opportunities in the visual arts. If you dream of becoming a professional artist or designer, a BFA will provide you with the training and confidence to build your own studio practice, then apply for artist residencies or an MFA. If you’re interested in a career in curating, art direction, web design, multimedia animation, art conservation or arts administration, a BA—a liberal arts degree—will help you develop highly marketable professional skills like analysis, critical thinking and problem solving.

Why Earn a BA or BFA in Studio Art at Adelphi in New York?

  • Receive one-to-one attention in small classes from successful artists and seasoned educators.
  • Tailor your bachelor’s art degree to your unique interests and goals with courses in painting, printmaking, photography, digital art, illustration/cartooning, ceramics and sculpture. We also offer a BFA concentration in graphic design.
  • Graduate career-ready with the portfolio and practical experience you need to succeed outside the classroom.

What Can You do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Art?

You can create and exhibit your artwork or go on to graduate school to become a curator or art conservator. With a bachelor’s degree in art education, you can teach grades K–12. Or pursue a career in graphic design and do multimedia animation or web design for marketing or publishing companies. Or use your skills to create murals in neighborhoods and other community engagement opportunities. 

 

Artists at Work

Mural for the Multicultural Center

When art education major Gianna Valente got the chance to design a mural for the Multicultural Center, she wanted to show the diversity she sees at Adelphi. The mural, representing student life on campus, was painted with the help of classmates in her mural class and adjunct faculty Cara Lynch ’12, MS ’15.

Mural Design for Swirbul Library/Innovation Center Entrance

Nine students in instructor Cara Lynch ‘12’s Spring 2022 Mural Arts Workshop developed designs and proposals for a mural to decorate the entrance wall to Swirbul Library and the Innovation Center. Junior Mehgan Geyer’s design was chosen and renamed “Knowledge Is Power.”

94%* * based on Adelphi University Career Outcomes Survey: Class of 2022
of our baccalaureate graduates who received job offers had them either before graduation or three months after graduation
based on Adelphi University Career Outcomes Survey: Class of 2022

Concentrations

Studio Art

Both the bachelor’s degree in fine arts (BFA) and bachelor’s degree in art (BA) programs in studio art will equip you with the skills and confidence needed to build your own studio art practice while simultaneously providing you with the tools needed to pursue work in commercial art and design. As a studio art student, you will work closely with professional artists to help build your techniques and refine your vision.

Graphic Design

The BFA in Graphic Design combines rigorous coursework with industry experience. You will take classes in studio, advertising design, web design and computer graphics applications. In your final year, you will work with clients from industry pulled from both the University as well as neighboring communities, complete a semester-long professional internship, and develop a thesis project to be exhibited in one of the University galleries.

Minors

Animation Minor

The 21st century is enjoying a golden age of animation: Skilled animators are needed in all areas of commercial film and television production, while independent creators nationwide are bringing their ideas to life in the thriving alternative animation industry. Tap into this surging demand with a minor in animation, where you’ll hone your creative, communication and technical skills and cultivate a unique artistic vision.

Art and Design Education Minor

The minor in Art and Design Education introduces students to contemporary issues and methodologies in the field of art and design education including cutting-edge technologies and new forms of cultural expression, across a range of settings including preK-12 schools, community arts programs, and museums.

Art History Minor

The minor in Art History gives an Adelphi student the opportunity to study art from passionate scholars who care deeply about research and teaching. Our art faculty regularly takes advantage of the University’s proximity to New York City by holding classes in museums and art galleries, inviting guest scholars and curators to campus, and encouraging students to pursue internships in the city.

Art Therapy Minor

The art therapy minor is useful for students majoring in either art or psychology who are interested in pursuing graduate training in art therapy (a requirement for both licensure and practice). The minor conforms to the recommendations made by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).

Graphic Design Minor

The graphic design minor will introduce students to both traditional studio skills and cutting edge digital image making, providing them with the necessary foundation for contemporary visual communication.

Studio Art Minor

The studio art minor will equip students with the skills and confidence needed to build their own studio art practice while simultaneously providing them with the tools needed to pursue work in commercial art and design.

Video Game Design Minor

The video game design minor introduces students to the components of game design from the perspectives of Art, Film, and Computer Science. The program culminates in a course in which students collaborate in creative teams to develop and produce an original video game.

Adelphi’s art program gave me all the essential tools I needed to carry with me throughout my career. It has fostered the way in which I see myself in the world, as well as the type of artist I wish to be.

Monifa Mayo ’19 BFA in Studio Art

Galleries and Exhibitions

We are proud of the work of our students and faculty. View the Student Art Gallery.

Exceptional Hands-On Learning

At Adelphi, we believe strongly in the power of hands-on learning and the value it adds to our students’ future careers. Take advantage of our proximity to New York City—just 40 minutes by train—and land an internship at a leading museum, publication or advertising firm. Our art students have interned at organizations such as:

You’ll also have the exciting opportunity to see your work exhibited on campus. Our gallery spaces in Garden City and Manhattan host museum-quality installations featuring pieces from students (including BFA senior thesis works), faculty and guest artists throughout the year.

An Adelphi art student cleans her printing screen as she works on an assignment during printmaking class.

Program Info

Application Requirements

To apply for this program, submit the appropriate application requirements along with a portfolio of recent work.

Transformative Educational Opportunities

All undergraduate students have the opportunity to apply for the following programs to expand their educational landscape:

  • The Honors College – fostering intellectual perspectives and critical skills
  • Levermore Global Scholars – preparing students to become global thinkers and leaders
  • Study Abroad – providing opportunities to experience another culture and see the world from a new perspective

Awards & Recognition

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Blodgett Hall 301
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Blodgett Hall, 302



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Nexus Building First Floor
Hours
  • Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm Fri: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
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