Georgetown University

What you'll study

The programme emphasises foundational studio skills and the development of an individual artistic voice through a sequence of studio, technical and critical courses. Early study typically covers drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional foundations, colour, and visual thinking; intermediate and advanced work includes courses in painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography/digital media, time-based media and installation. Students also take seminars in art history, contemporary theory and criticism to situate studio practice within broader cultural and historical contexts.

• Foundation courses: drawing, 2D/3D design, materials and processes
• Studio electives: painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital media, video and performance
• Technical workshops: darkroom, digital labs, metalworking/woodworking, fabrication facilities
• Critical/contextual studies: modern and contemporary art history, visual culture, curatorial studies
• Capstone/Thesis: senior studio seminar and exhibition or a substantial final project with an accompanying critical statement
• Professional practice: portfolio development, internships, exhibition opportunities and collaboration with campus galleries

Entry requirements

Applicants should present a solid secondary-school academic record together with a portfolio demonstrating thoughtful engagement with materials, ideas and visual problem-solving. Typical application components include a high-school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation and a portfolio of recent work (digital submissions are commonly accepted). International applicants will need to meet English language proficiency requirements. Successful candidates typically show both technical commitment and intellectual curiosity; experience in formal art classes (such as A-levels, IB, AP or equivalent) is beneficial but not always required if the portfolio is strong.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a range of creative and cultural careers. Many become practising artists exhibiting in galleries, alternative spaces and public projects; others work as illustrators, designers or makers for commercial studios. Common employment paths include gallery and museum staff, curatorial assistants, arts administrators, educators at different levels, conservation technicians, cultural policy and community arts organisers. Many alumni also pursue postgraduate study such as an MFA, MA in art history or arts administration to specialise further or to prepare for academic and professional roles.

Why study at Georgetown University

Studying studio arts at Georgetown places students in Washington, D.C., a city with rich museum, gallery and cultural resources that support internships, research and exhibition opportunities. The programme benefits from small-scale, critique-driven studio classes and faculty who are practising artists and scholars, fostering close mentorship and rigorous critique. Interdisciplinary options across the university enable students to combine studio practice with studies in areas such as business, public policy, global affairs or digital media, while campus galleries and partnerships with local institutions provide real-world platforms to present work and build professional networks.