Auburn University at Montgomery

What you'll study

The programme balances concentrated studio practice with contextual and professional coursework. Core studio modules typically include courses in Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Ceramics and 2D/3D Design. Dedicated digital and new media modules cover digital imaging, basic animation, and introductory time-based media. Art History and Visual Culture courses provide critical context from ancient through contemporary art.

• Foundation studio sequence: observational drawing, design principles, colour theory and two-dimensional/three-dimensional fundamentals.
• Intermediate and advanced studios: focused study in chosen media — painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking or digital media — with increasingly independent projects.
• Contextual studies: surveys in art history, modern and contemporary art, theory and methods in visual studies.
• Professional practice: courses in portfolio development, exhibition planning, arts marketing, grant writing and entrepreneurial strategies for artists.
• Senior capstone: a culminating project or thesis exhibition developed under faculty supervision, often presented in a campus or community gallery space.
• General education: a range of liberal-arts courses to build critical thinking, communication and elective interests across disciplines.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised high-school diploma or equivalent. Admission normally requires a completed application, official transcripts and a portfolio of recent artwork demonstrating observational skill, technical engagement and creative potential. The portfolio may be submitted digitally or in person and typically includes a mix of drawing and work in the applicant’s principal media.

Typical academic expectations include a satisfactory high-school record or transferable college credit if applying as a transfer student. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through accepted examinations or institutional proof of competency. Additional requirements may include a brief artist statement and, for some applicants, an interview or portfolio review with faculty.

Career prospects

Graduates progress into a broad range of creative and arts-related careers. The degree prepares students for work as practising studio artists and makers, and for roles in galleries, museums and cultural organisations.

• Professional visual artist exhibiting in galleries, alternative spaces and public art projects.
• Gallery or museum assistant, collections technician or exhibition preparator.
• Arts administrator, programme coordinator or development associate within non-profit arts organisations.
• Designer, illustrator or visual communicator in commercial studios, publishing or digital media (often in combination with further technical training).
• Art educator at community arts centres, after-school programmes or, with additional teacher certification, K–12 art teaching.
• Graduate study pathways in studio art, art history, museum studies, arts administration or related fields.

Why study at Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery offers a supportive, small-campus environment with accessible faculty who are practising artists and scholars. Students benefit from dedicated studio facilities, on-campus gallery spaces for student and faculty exhibitions, and hands-on courses that emphasise both technical skill and conceptual development.

The university’s location in Montgomery provides opportunities to engage with a lively regional arts scene, community arts initiatives and internship placements with local museums, galleries and cultural organisations. The programme emphasises professional development and exhibition experience, helping students build portfolios, public presentations and networks that support careers in the visual arts.