Los Angeles is driven by creative people. Ready to join them? Your education at Mount Saint Mary’s University will prepare you with the technical, creative and cognitive skills you need to launch your career in art. Our faculty help you develop and refine your path of interest, while gaining the needed skills for your adventure ahead. 

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Art at Mount Saint Mary’s University provides students with a thorough foundation through applied coursework that also expands their knowledge of art history and theory. As students gain proficiency in their chosen medium, our faculty guide them to find their personal direction and develop their conceptual foundation. 

Our curriculum includes courses in: 

  • Sketches of Hands

    Drawing and Painting

  • Pottery Classroom

    Ceramics

  • Student holding a camera

    Photography

All graduating art majors are invited to complete a senior project and exhibition. Under the guidance of their professors, students complete and coordinate a body of work to be exhibited in the José Drudis-Biada Art Gallery. 

Our major places an emphasis on fine art. The goal is to provide each student with a thorough and comprehensive understanding of art as an essential human activity. This degree prepares students who wish to continue as professional artists, teachers or as leaders in other related fields. 

Minor in Art/Minor in Art History 

The department offers two minors for students from other majors who want to pursue their interest in the creative arts or art history. Both minors require a minimum of six courses (18 units). 

Studying art at MSMU affords you many benefits, including: 

  • The faculty members who teach your classes are working artists.
  • The department provides all needed supplies for art majors, and our well-equipped labs are open 24/7. 
  • You will have the opportunity to travel with your professors. Past trips have included New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Italy, the Netherlands, London and Paris. 
  • Our Chalon Campus is home to the well-known José Drudis-Biada Art Gallery, which showcases contemporary artists from Southern California. 
  • Many of our students pursue a double major or add a minor, making them better prepared for an advanced degree and better qualified to join the workforce.  
  • In addition to specialty workshops and learning opportunities hosted by the department, our faculty supports students as they pursue internships. Recent students have interned at Walt Disney Studios, the Center for the Study of Political Graphics and the Autry Museum of the American West.  
  • We have an Artist in Residence program — meaning we have professional and working artists collaborating with our community and teaching on campus each semester.