About the School - University of Houston
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School of Art

About the School of Art

Beth Merfish
Welcome to the School of Art at the University of Houston! We are a vibrant community of artists, designers, and scholars who fully embrace the idea that the arts are essential in elevating humanity. The visual arts in particular have the capacity to bring balance, dignity, appreciation, and understanding to both maker and viewer.

The skills our students build in the School of Art – manual and technical craft, critical thinking, problem-solving, and visual literacy – form the foundation of a successful life and career in the arts and beyond. The proof is evident in Houston, where our alumni fill the galleries, offices, and museums in the city’s most important arts institutions.

Beth Merfish 
Director of the School of Art
Associate Professor of Art History 

Academic Programs

The School of Art is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. We offer the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts

    The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree emphasizes the development of the student as a working artist or designer, with the critical thinking, technical skills and creativity required for professional practice. Students must apply to majors in design, painting, photography/digital media or sculpture. After completing preliminary course requirements, students apply to enroll in upper-level major courses.

  • Bachelor of Art

    The Bachelor of Arts is a liberal arts degree but with a strong concentration in the field of arts. It is aimed at students who want a broad, classic education or who are interested in combining artistic expertise with another field via a double major, double degree or minor program. Students may seek a Teacher Certification in conjunction with the Teacher Education minor in the College of Education.

  • Bachelor of Arts in Art History

    The Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History offers students the opportunity to study art historical trends from ancient times to the present, in both Western and non-Western cultures. Students study other fields such as history and anthropology to complement skills in writing, critical thinking and analysis of visual and cultural information.

  • Minors

    A minor in art allows non-art undergraduates to integrate artistic study into their formal degree. The School of Art offers minors in Art History, Studio Arts, Art Education, and Interdisciplinary Arts. View the UH Undergraduate Catalog to see the requirements for each minor.

  • Master of Fine Arts

    The Master in Fine Arts program provides exceptional instruction for graduate students who want to experience an interdisciplinary program supported by a focus on design, interdisciplinary practice and emerging forms, painting, photography/digital media or sculpture. We fit into “your program” by devising programs that are flexible and dynamic and by creating the environments that help you to broaden and deepen your investigations.

  • Master of Art in Art History

    The Master of Arts in Art History provides a firm grounding in the discipline of art history within a Tier-1 research university and close contact with the collections of major arts institutions. The program is designed with an important number of electives, to enable students to craft an educational experience best suited to their individual needs and interests, and to take advantage of significant internship opportunities in the city.

  • Dual Degree Program

    The dual degree options present a unique opportunity for performers, artists, designers and scholars to combine discipline-specific arts practices with the field of professional arts administration. Degree combinations with the Arts Leadership program will increase students’ career opportunities within the arts and better prepare them as professional artists and future leaders in the field.

  • Graduate Certificates

    Elective certificates are a compilation of courses that allow students to focus their learning on a particular discipline or area of study. These optional certificates give students flexibility and the opportunity to tailor their degree to suit individual interests and career objectives. Students may earn elective certificates in areas of arts and health as well as museum and gallery management.

By the Numbers

  • 40+Annual Student Exhibitions
  • 30+Visiting Speakers Annually
  • 5Student Exhibitions Spaces
  • 28Full-time Faculty Members

Our Community

  • Faculty

    Our faculty, comprised of world-class artists, designers, scholars and teachers, are leaders in their fields. Exhibiting, conducting, researching and teaching at home and around the world, they offer students an educational and artistic experience that is second to none.

  • Students

    School of Art students, of which there are 800 declared majors, represent the next generation of trailblazing artists, designers and scholars. Our demographics reflect the diversity of Houston, one of the most culturally and racially diverse regions of the country. Our community includes first-generation college students, non-traditional students, veterans and differently-abled students from all over Texas and the globe.

  • Alumni

    For decades, graduates of the School of Art have powered Houston’s creative sector. Our students work in the city’s most prominent arts institutions, not-for-profits and design firms. Careers in arts institutions notwithstanding, our alumni comprise Houston’s community of leading contemporary artists and designers, many of whom have gone on to achieve national and international recognition.

  • College

    We are ensconced in the Kathrine G McGovern College of the Arts, providing students and faculty with an inspiring creative community and opportunities to experiment and collaborate with other artistic disciplines. The university community provides an exciting and supportive atmosphere, as well as practical services such as a full-service career services office and ample student housing options.

  • University

    Established in 1927 and now a premier Tier One Research University, UH is ranked among the best and most affordable colleges in America.

  • Houston

    Boasting a host of renowned visual arts organizations, Houston is second only to New York City in the scale of its cultural district. Beyond the inspiration of a thriving arts scene, students and faculty benefit from the deep roots and frequent collaborations with Houston's artists, educators, and communities.

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