As part of the School of Art and Design, our department has a tradition of excellence that goes back more than 130 years. In fact, Syracuse University was the first university in the country to grant a bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree.

As one of our students, you will enjoy the benefits of a world-class art school while having access to the resources of a major university. The education we provide is both global and local. With study abroad opportunities in New York City; Los Angeles; London, England; Florence, Italy; and Berlin, Germany and such Syracuse initiatives as the Connective Corridor, Urban Video Project, and Empty Bowls, we engage students in the world near and far.

Integral to our curricula are opportunities to acquire career development skills critical for professional artists. Our Professional Practice in the Arts course explores job opportunities, resumes, contracts, copyright, grants, and more, while some programs offer such additional, discipline-specific business-oriented courses as The Business of Freelance Illustration (for illustration majors) and Student Teaching (for art education majors). You may also learn from numerous visiting and resident artists and scholars as well as obtain real-world experience through an internship. Undergraduate students may choose to minor in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises, which is offered through SU's Martin J. Whitman School of Management and includes coursework in essential business tools.