College of Arts and Sciences
Art
College of Arts and Sciences
Art
Turn Creativity into a Career:
Earn Your Art Degree at NMSU
New Mexico State University's Department of Art offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary education rooted in its land-grant mission and borderland identity. Students engage in innovative studio and museum practices across media like ceramics, sculpture, photography, painting, graphic design, and jewelry/metalsmithing.
The curriculum blends hands-on creation with cultural and critical discourse, fostering collaboration and preparing students for careers in the arts.
Admission Deadlines
There are no fixed deadlines*
- Total classes: 40
- Total credit hours: 120
- Cost per credit hour: $223.58**
Delivery Format
In-person
Career Pathways
Graduates of NMSU’s art program are skilled in creative expression, visual communication, and critical analysis, prepared for careers in the arts through hands-on studio work, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong foundation in contemporary art practices.
- Illustrator
- Photographer
- Museum Technician
- Gallery Curator
- Community Arts Educator
- Art Consultant
Degree questions, answered
Have questions about the Bachelor of Arts in Art? Fill out our inquiry form.
Explore Form, Function and Expression: Studio Art Courses in Drawing, Sculpture, Photography and Design
Students attracted to NMSU's art program are typically creative, culturally engaged, and community-minded, using art as a means to explore identity, advocacy, and interdisciplinary expression. Through programs like the Juried Student Show and Honors Art Collective, even first-time and non-art majors exhibit work in exhibitions that emphasize local heritage and social storytelling.
Many are drawn to NMSU because of its strong faculty mentorship, support for materials and scholarships, and state-of-the-art facilities—including Devasthali Hall studios, exhibition galleries, and museum conservation labs. They also value the opportunity to work with visiting artists and participate in public shows and creative events across campus.
Scholarships Available
Get up to 100% of tuition covered with the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship.**
The BFA is ideal for students committed to developing a professional portfolio and practicing as dedicated artists:
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Professional focus: Designed for students seeking serious careers as studio artists or advanced study, this degree emphasizes intensive, hands-on creative practice.
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Selective admission: Entry requires a portfolio review during the sophomore year.
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Capstone requirement: Culminates in an undergraduate studio thesis and a senior exhibition, showcasing the student’s body of work.
Take classes like:
- ARTH 2110G – History of Art 1
- ARTH 2136 - Writing in Art
- ARTS 493 - Studio Core III: Professional Practices
- ARTS 495 Studio Core IV: Thesis Production & Display
Students pursuing the studio art concentration explore a wide range of creative media—including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking, graphic design, metalsmithing, and conservation—through introductory and advanced hands-on coursework.
The Bachelor of Arts in Art with a concentration in studio art consists of 120 credits. To earn this degree, you need to complete all Department of Art core courses, and all university degree requirements, which include General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
Take classes like:
- ARTH 2110G – History of Art 1
- ARTS 1710 – Introduction to Printmaking
- ARTS 1310 – Introduction to Ceramics
- Arts 1610 - Drawing 1
Students pursuing the art history concentration develop a deep understanding of visual culture through courses in global aesthetics, iconography, stylistic evolution, and art theory—emphasizing critical reflection on identity, power, and regional perspectives in the borderlands.
The Bachelor of Arts in Art with a concentration in art history consists of 120 credits. To earn this degree, you need to complete all Department of Art core courses, and all university degree requirements, which include General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
Take courses like:
- ARTH 2110G – History of Art 1
- ARTH 2136 – Writing in Art
- ARTH 479 – Methodologies and Historiography of Art History and Art Theory
- ARTS 1121 STUDIO CORE I: Concept Development--Process and Play
Students in this concentration immerse themselves in the practice and theory of art preservation, gaining hands-on experience in techniques such as restoration, preventative care, and collections management.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with a concentration in museum conservation consists of 120 credits. To earn this degree, you need to complete all Department of Art core courses, and all university degree requirements, which include General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
Take courses like:
- CHEM 313 – Organic Chemistry 1
- CHEM 2120 – Integrated Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
- ARTS 401 – Museum Conservation Techniques 1
- ARTS 403 – Preventative Conservation/Collections Care
Ready to take the next step?
Request Information
Scholarships and Financial Aid
At NMSU, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: financialaid@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.