Academics
Refine your talents. Gain employer-valued skills.
In the School of the Arts, you’ll learn from faculty who are active artists and scholars. You’ll refine your talents through performances, exhibitions and internships while gaining skills in marketing, project management and technology.
Your opportunities extend beyond campus through study abroad programs in culturally rich locations like Mexico, Japan and Italy. You may also choose to pursue interdisciplinary opportunities including Computing and the Arts.
Departments and Programs
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Art & Architectural History
Earn a B.A. at one of the largest independent art history departments in the Southeast. Our location in the heart of a historic, cultural city offers access to galleries, museums, architectural landmarks and more. What a great place to gain and practice your knowledge in art and architectural history.
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Arts Management
Explore the leadership, business and administrative side of the arts at one of the few undergraduate arts management programs in the Southeast. You can choose to concentrate your studies in the music industry. And you can choose to earn a graduate certificate in Arts and Cultural Management.
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Historic Preservation & Community Planning
Charleston is the perfect backdrop for you to explore this unique program that preserves important histories and cultures. You'll study iconic architecture, urban landscapes and communities right in our back yard, which leads to planning and designing more resilient communities in the future.
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Music
Experience the intense focus of a conservatory while working with professional music ensembles in the area and in our own productions, such as opera, orchestra, jazz combos, choirs and more. As a music major, you can choose to concentrate in performance, theory/composition or music history; benefit from small class sizes; practice & performance spaces; one-on-one instruction; and collaborative music-making. Graduate degree program and Artist Residency opportunities are available.
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Studio Art
Strengthen your artistic skills in drawing, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture. Enjoy active classes where academic and creative growth is fostered through practice. Turn the corner from campus to visit numerous galleries and arts organizations, where you can apply for internships and participate in exhibitions and events.
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Theatre & Dance
Theatre: Encounter a healthy balance between coursework and production experience. From areas of acting, design, directing or playwriting, you’ll explore ideas, theories and techniques that enable you to achieve excellence in this highly competitive arena. Major in general studies or a specific focus: performance, design and technology (costume, scenery or lighting), theatre for youth, or theatre studies. Participate in our professional productions starting your first year. Graduate degree program in Teaching Theatre is available.
Dance: Study dance technique in ballet, modern and jazz – with a grounding in the breadth of dance as a field. In addition to technique, take courses in kinesiology, non-Western dance, choreography, body conditioning, contact improv and more. You can select between general dance studies or audition for a concentration in performance/choreography. You have opportunities to perform in our professional production season and at regional conferences.
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Alumna Gives Students Career Insight
Emma Rose Isely ’12, the senior director of film and TV synchronization at Universal Music Group, visited campus to speak with arts management students about her work in Hollywood's creative industry.
Read the story