Fine Art Hero
Undergraduate Major

Visual & Performing Arts Major (BA)

As a visual and performing arts major, you'll hone your craft with a music, dance, visual art, or arts administration specialization while developing critical and creative thinking skills.

    Apply Now
    Request Info
    1. Academics
    2. Undergraduate Degree Programs
    3. Visual & Performing Arts Major (BA)

    At a Glance

    Click to Open
    Offered as

    Major

    Format

    On Campus

    College/School
    Campus Location
    • Chester, PA

    On This Page

    Explore the Visual and Performing Arts Major

    Majoring in visual and performing arts will prepare you for many creative career paths as you explore expressions and hone techniques in either arts administration, dance, music, or visual arts.

    Why Fine Arts?

    • You'll learn to communicate your unique understandings and interpretations of concepts and ideas to a larger audience.
    • Each semester, you'll put your work on display through collaborations with distinguished professional artists.
    • You'll acquire skills employers are looking for across all industries, like the ability to listen, communicate, and think critically and analytically about diverse perspectives.
    • You'll have the option to participate in rewarding internships, civic engagement opportunities, and study abroad to enhance your creative work. 

    Upon graduation, your diverse portfolio of work and engaged learning experiences will enhance any career path you choose.

    Fine Arts Major Program Options

    Visual and performing arts students study art history, music history, and dance, developing skills in critical thinking and analysis through classroom discussions, scholarly essays and research papers, and formal presentations. A senior portfolio, performance, or other project will complete your visual arts degree.

    View Loading... for all visual and performing arts majors.

    College is about exploration. At Widener, you'll complete a general education curriculum that supports just that. You'll have the flexibility and freedom to dive deep into the topics that spark curiosity, challenge your mind, and power your personal and academic growth. 

    Along the way, you'll cultivate critical, meaningful skills employers seek, including:

    • How to make a difference in a diverse world with an inclusive mindset
    • How to write and edit for clear, compelling communication
    • How to analyze data and make decisions using critical thinking

    It all starts with ASC 101: Thinking Through — a selection of around 40 course topics that will encourage you to go deeper and examine complex issues that shape our world and our ways of relating to one another. When you dive into the possibilities, you're sure to find multiple courses that inspire and intrigue you, regardless of whether they align with your major! Think of it as an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and truly learn something new. Then, in your senior year, you'll come full circle with a capstone course that takes your Thinking Through topic to new heights strengthened by everything you've cultivated along your college journey.

    All visual and performing arts majors will select an area of specialization to focus on.

    Arts Administration
    Dream of running your own gallery or studio one day? You can combine your love of fine arts with an eye toward the business side of the field with an arts administration specialization. You'll take classes in the arts and in the School of Business Administration, preparing you for work in not-for-profit arts organizations and beyond.

    Dance, Music, or Visual Art
    Each of these three areas of focus will allow you to hone your craft in devoted studio time while also exploring the history of the field in discussion-based classes.

    In addition to selecting an area of visual and performing arts specialization, you'll also have the option to pursue a specialization in digital humanities no matter which fine arts subject you choose to study.

    Digital humanities is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field that seeks to apply humanistic reasoning and research to important questions related to technology, such as social sustainability, big data, and privacy. Work in digital humanities includes public humanities, data mining/visualization, web design, textual analysis, educational technology, and ethics and technology.

    View curriculum and coursework requirements for the digital humanities specialization.

    While many double major options are possible, communication studies is a natural pairing for visual and performing arts majors. With specializations in multimedia and broadcast journalism, film studies, graphic design, and more, adding a double major in communications can bring a whole new dimension to your work.

    View Loading... for the visual and performing arts and communication studies double major.

    Widener's pre-professional pathways give you the flexibility to follow your interests while preparing for a professional career.

    Visual and performing arts can participate in the following pathways:

    *Students with a high level of academic potential may be eligible for the “3 + 3” program with a Widener law school where you can earn a bachelor's degree in visual & performing arts and a juris doctor degree in just six years.

    Take Your Fine Arts Degree Further

    Through Widener’s Accelerated Advantage program, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree with only one additional year of study—saving you valuable time and money. Master's degrees can be earned in allied health education (MEd), business administration (MBA), criminal justice (MCJ), organizational development and leadership (MA), and public administration (MPA).
     
    While Widener does not offer a master’s degree in the same field as this major, you can still select from a variety of powerhouse master’s programs that will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth.

    Learn more about our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 Program

    It's never too early to get real-world work experience to set you apart from the crowd and dive deeper into your discipline! Worried about scoring a paid internship? Worry, no more! Widener's Experience MORE! program can help bridge the gap between unpaid or underpaid experiences.

    After perfecting your résumé and cover letter with the help of Widener’s Career Design & Development team, you'll work to score an internship and apply for the Experience MORE! program to get the financial support you need to pursue the internship of your dreams. If selected as an awardee, you will receive a grant to subsidize your internship work.

    Pair Your Fine Arts Major with a Minor or Certificate

    Arts Management Minor

    Advantages

    Combine your love of visual and performing arts with an eye toward the business side of the field.

    Outcome

    Theatre Stage Manager

    Business Analytics Minor

    Advantages

    Gain the confidence to start your own studio by learning business technology basics in accounting and management information systems courses.

    Outcome

    Performing Arts Center Director

    Arts Minor

    Advantages

    Explore your creative side through art and music history courses and studio art classes that expand your worldview.

    Outcome

    Art Curator

    Dance Minor

    Advantages

    Deepen your performance and choreographic skills in modern dance classes, plus build your knowledge of art and music history.

    Outcome

    Choreographer

    Creative Writing Minor

    Advantages

    Develop your passion across creative and professional writing forms to gain the critical thinking skills necessary to create powerful pieces.

    Outcome

    Playwright

    Music Minor

    Advantages

    Study your passion through studio instruction, music and art history classes, and performance opportunities.

    Outcome

    Music Director

    Career Outlook & Outcomes for Fine Arts Majors

    Recent Employers

    • Philadelphia Museum of Art
    • Abilities4Work
    • Easter Seals Philly
    • Elsevier Inc
    • Lyneer Search Group

    Any & All Careers

    Visual and performing arts majors bring their humanities skills to a wide variety of industries. Our graduates have worked in advertising, consulting for multimedia outlets, law, and the medical field in physical and occupational therapy.

    Potential Careers

    • Performance
    • Not-for-profit management
    • Museumology
    • Education
    • Healthcare

    In-Demand Skills

    • Collaboration
    • Critical thinking
    • Complex problem solving
    • Persistence
    • Observation
    • Listening

    Why Study Visual and Performing Arts at Widener?

    Fine Arts Performance Ensembles

    Grow Your Arts Network

    Beyond the classroom, you're encouraged to join music and dance performance groups on campus. From the marching band to the gospel choir, The FreshBaked Children's Theatre Company to Widener Dance Company, you'll become a leader collaborating with your peers to put on spectacular performances each semester.

    students perform with FreshBaked Children's Theatre

    Learn Beyond the Classroom

    Widener is home to a thriving network of artists with guest speakers and new events each semester. Plus with the world-class Philly arts scene just a short ride away, you'll constantly be visiting world-class museums and watching renowned music and dance performances. You can even snag an internship at institutions like the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology.

    As you explore your creative expression, you'll have the chance to organize community events like the Dance for Parkinson's program. Or, take your work even further through a study abroad program. There's no telling where your fine arts degree will take you.

    Dance Faculty Mentor with Student

    Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One

    We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.

    Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.

    Lean more about faculty mentorship
    Explore resources for academic & career support
    Find support for health & wellbeing

    Our Faculty

    Paul L. Goldberg
    Paul L. Goldberg
    Associate Dean of Humanities

    "I like to emphasize speaking Spanish in and outside of class. For example, my students regularly have video conferences with college students from Latin America and Spain, and I organize and lead summer trips to Mexico where I’ve been conducting research for years."

    lores
    Mat Tomezsko
    Adjunct Instructor

    In Widener’s visual and performing arts program, you’ll learn to appreciate arts and culture with a grounded and well-rounded outlook.

    View All Faculty

    Recent News

    Kevin stands in front of his art

    Research Projects Shape Students’ Futures

    Hands-on research opportunities at Widener give students the chance to explore their interests, build a foundation of experience, and hone skills for their future professions.

    View All College of Arts & Sciences News

    Admissions & Aid

    Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!

    Admissions

    Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.

    Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.

    When to Apply​

    We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app. 

    Key dates to keep in mind:​

    • October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)​
    • November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin​

    What to Expect After Applying​

    Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.

    Learn more about the application process

    If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:

    • Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
    • Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
    • Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
    • Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!

    All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!

    Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.

    Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator. 

    Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there! 

    Learn more about applying as a transfer student

    Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.

    Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. 

    This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.

    Learn more about applying as an international student

    Financial Aid

    Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.

    Widener FAFSA Code 003313

    Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need. 

    You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.

     

      Paths to Savings

      Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid

      Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.

      The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.

      Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years

      (including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)

      Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.

      4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition

      In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.

      More About Tuition & Financial Aid

      Take the Next Steps

      Visit Us

      To visit Widener is to fall in love with the place. But don't take our word—experience it for yourself. Plan a visit to connect with our students, faculty, and staff.

      View Admissions Events

      We offer a variety of events to get to know Widener—from virtual sessions, workshops, and private tours, to the big splash of our signature open houses.

      Request Information

      Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!​

      Apply

      Applying online is easy—and it's free! We also accept the Common Application. Take the next step toward joining the Widener Pride.