School of Performing and Visual Arts

The University of Southern Mississippi is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Dance, and the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Requirements are in accordance with the published regulations of these associations. The school offers majors in general art; art with an emphasis in drawing & painting, graphic design, or sculpture; dance performance & choreography; dance education; general theatre; and theatre with an emphasis in acting or design & technology. The school also offers minors in art, art history, dance, and theatre.

USM Art and Design offers two degree options, the Bachelor of Art (BA) degree in Art and the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Art. The student seeking general study in the field of art should choose the broadly oriented BA degree. The student seeking to pursue a career as a practicing artist/designer should choose the professionally oriented BFA degree. Students who choose the BFA degree will select an area of emphasis from the following options: Drawing & Painting, Sculpture, or Graphic Design.

USM Dance offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in dance in two emphasis areas: Performance & Choreography and Dance Education (K-12). The BFA degree ensures a comprehensive study of dance with an emphasis on studio work.

USM Theatre offers two degree options, the Bachelor of Art (BA) degree in Theatre and the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Theatre. The student seeking general study in the field of theatre should choose the broadly oriented BA degree. The student seeking to pursue a career as a practicing performer/designer should choose the professionally oriented BFA degree. Students who choose the BFA degree option will select an area of emphasis from the following options: Acting or Design & Technology.

The School of Performing and Visual Arts also houses the USM Museum of Art/Gallery of Art and Design in the George Hurst Building; the USM Repertory Dance Company, featuring several fully produced concerts each year; Southern Miss Theatre, featuring a full season of diverse works produced in the Tatum Theatre and the Hartwig Theatre; and Southern Arena Theatre, a summer repertory theatre company.

Majors

Art BA

Art (Drawing and Painting) BFA

Art (Graphic Design) BFA

Art (Sculpture) BFA

Dance (Dance Education) BFA

Dance (Performance and Choreography) BFA

Theatre BA

Theatre (Acting) BFA

Theatre (Design and Technology) BFA

Minors

Art History Minor

Art Minor

Dance Minor

Graphic Design Minor

Sculpture Minor

Theatre Minor