Academic Information

Architecture* (Start and Finish: University Park)

The major provides for the education of architects at preprofessional level. The preprofessional program (ARCBS) is a four-year curriculum leading to the bachelor of science degree with a major in Architecture. This program helps prepare those who intend to enter related environmental design professions. Bachelor of science graduates are trained and eligible for immediate participation as paraprofessionals in the environmental design field, for continuing their studies in intensive and specialized professional training for the first professional degree, or for pursuing graduate studies. The preprofessional program requires a semester abroad at the department’s facilities in Rome, Italy. Other elective foreign study opportunities are also available.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

* The Department of Architecture is a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and the Bachelor of Architecture degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Art (Start and Finish: University Park)

The B.A. degree in art provides a comprehensive liberal arts education coupled with professional resident instruction in art. Depending on each student’s objectives and course choices, this degree provides preparation for a professional career, a foundation for graduate studies, or a liberal arts education in art. Each student must elect an area of concentration from one of the following: ceramic arts, drawing and painting, new media, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. The bachelor of fine arts degree (University Park only) requires thorough preparation and is intended to develop a level of competence that will enable persons who wish to pursue professional careers in art to prepare themselves for specialized graduate studies, specialized professional training, and/or immediate participation in creative work.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Art Education (Start and Finish: University Park)

This major offers two options: Art Education for Schools, and Art Education for Museums and Cultural Institutions. A basic art studio, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics preparation; a variety of observational and participatory experiences in art learning environments; and an extensive pre-practice internship are an integral part of each option. Upon completion of the option, employment prospects and/or acceptance for advanced graduate studies depends upon individual achievement and qualifications.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Art History (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

Art History faculty are internationally known scholars who travel extensively to conduct on-site research. Students begin with foundation survey courses and then take more specialized courses in ancient, Byzantine/medieval, Renaissance/baroque, modern/ contemporary, and African/Asian art history. The histories of painting, sculpture, architecture, and the graphic arts are examined in relation to religion, politics, society, gender, economics, philosophy, and culture. Graduates find employment in galleries, publishing, arts agencies, archaeology, historic preservation, and historic sites. The most common careers are teaching at the college level or working in a museum; these careers usually require further study and graduate degrees.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Select this major on your application if you are interested in one of the majors in this school, but haven't yet decided which.

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Select this major on your application if you are interested in one of the majors in this school, but haven't yet decided which.

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Select this major on your application if you are interested in one of the majors in this college, but haven't yet decided which.

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Graphic Design (Start and Finish: University Park)

This degree is intended to help students prepare for careers in graphic design. The program includes the technical skills and the creative and intellectual capacity essential to the practices of graphic design and is intended to help students prepare for employment in design studios, advertising agencies, packaging, publications and corporate design, film and television graphics, and Web and interactive design.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Integrative Arts (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

Integrative Arts is an interdisciplinary major for students who desire a curriculum that crosses over traditional singlediscipline lines. The Integrative Arts student initially establishes an academic plan with the assistance of an approved adviser. The plan must contain a core component of 36 credits and an elective component of 19 credits. The two components combined must clearly illustrate that the plan has clarity, purpose, and cohesion.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Landscape Architecture (Started and Finish: University Park)

Landscape architecture is the art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it. As an academic discipline, it embodies creative, cultural, philosophical, and scientific knowledge bases. As a professional discipline, the practice of landscape architecture includes site design, urban design, master planning, community planning, regional planning, resource conservation, and stewardship. For those selected to major in this field, the program is a five-year curriculum leading to a professionally accredited bachelor of landscape architecture degree.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Landscape Architecture (Start and Finish: University Park)

Landscape architects plan new landscapes for present and future use, revitalize historic landscapes, and preserve the environment. Penn State's program is one of the oldest and most respected in the United States. Art, the natural sciences, and design are the core subjects of the Landscape Architecture program. The design studio is the center of the five year degree, where students work one-on-one with faculty to solve planning and design problems. Landscape architects work on a broad range of projects, including commercial centers; industrial and technological parks; new towns; highways and transportation corridors; national, state, and local parks; corporate and college campuses; and urban development. To maintain the program's quality, enrollment is limited. Demand for landscape architects continues to increase.

An integrated B.L.A./M.L.A. in Landscape Architecture is available to applicants who currently hold a baccalaureate degree.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Music and Integrated Programs (Start and Finish: University Park)

The bachelor of arts degree in Music combines a broad liberal arts education with a selection of courses in Music. The degree is designed to develop basic musicianship, the ability to perform, and a set of principles that leads to a fuller intellectual grasp of the art. Students are required to pass a piano proficiency examination, enroll in a core ensemble for two semesters, and complete a senior project.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Music (Start and Finish: University Park)

The bachelor of music degree program is intended to help students prepare for careers in composition or performance. Completion of this program requires that the student achieve a high level of competence in order to begin professional work or pursue further studies at the graduate level. All students must pass a piano proficiency examination.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Music Education (Started and Finish: University Park)

The bachelor of music education (B.M.E.) degree is a professional degree program that helps students prepare for teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Students are expected to meet all requirements for Entrance to Teacher Certification Program in Music, must pass the piano proficiency exam, and complete all music courses and SPLED 400 prior to student teaching. Graduates of this program are prepared to receive the Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate for teaching music K–12. (See also Teacher Education Programs)
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Musical Arts (Started and Finish: University Park)

The bachelor of musical arts degree is a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary program that is intended to help students prepare for careers in performance, while developing a secondary area of emphasis outside of music, as determined for each student through an advising process. Completion of this program requires that the student achieve a high level of competence in order to begin professional work or pursue further studies at the graduate level. All students are required to pass a piano proficiency examination.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Theatre, bachelor of arts (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

This program offers the theatre student a general background in the various facets of theatre. A broad liberal arts education is provided and complemented with advanced courses to best serve student interests, talents, and career objectives. Though a strong emphasis is given to the areas of production and performance, students may also wish to emphasize an area of special interest such as literature, design, or acting. Many students choose to spend a semester in study abroad. Students learn to research, analyze, and synthesize information. Students develop strong oral and written skills and many go on to postgraduate study not only in theatre but also in areas such as law, business, and education.Starting this program at campuses other than University Park may require more than four years to complete the program.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Theatre, bachelor of fine arts (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

The bachelor of fine arts in Theatre offers two options: Design and Technology, and Stage Management. The Design and Technology option is intended to develop a level of competence that will enable students who wish to pursue professional careers in theatre design, theatre technology, and related entertainment fields to prepare for specialized graduate studies, specialized professional training and/or immediate participation in creative work. The prescribed core curriculum introduces students to each of the theatre design areas and provides them with a basic skill level in technology. The curriculum also features acting, directing, script analysis, theatre history, and criticism. Students choose an emphasis area after their third semester. The Stage Management option is intended to provide specialized training leading to a high level of competence in the theatre stage management field. Graduates should be able to begin professional work or pursue further training at the graduate level. Starting this program at campuses other than University Park may require more than four years to complete the program.
(College of Arts and Architecture)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.