Why study digital arts at BGSU in Ohio?
- Learn from the best. The School of Art faculty members in the digital arts program are accomplished digital artists who share a commitment to seeing the next generation succeed.
- Personalized instruction. Digital art classes are kept intentionally small (average 16-20 students) to encourage quality interaction during studio time, critiques, demonstrations and lectures.
- Flexibility to follow your own path. Students map their own digital arts degree study plan to match their long-term goals – whether that’s in the digital arts or a related field. A required minor allows students to build on their skills.
- Modern facilities. Access our vast library collections, studio spaces, galleries and state-of-the-art software. The Wolfe Center for the Arts houses three digital art studio classrooms, video editing workstations, high-dynamic range wide format printers, high-end A/V equipment for student checkout, 3D printers and high-resolution scanners.
- Creative connections. The BGSU School of Art fosters a collaborative learning environment for exchanging ideas, receiving constructive feedback and building lifelong connections with fellow artists. Check out our many student organizations for art majors, the BGSU Arts Village Learning Community and the community art outreach programs.
- Study abroad. Earn college credity while studying abroad. Study at our partner schools in Florence, Italy: the International Studies Institute and the Santa Reparata International School of Art. Financial assistance may be available through the RING Fund and the School of Art Experiential Learning Fund.
- Medici Circle sponsorships. Immersive and enriching educational experiences are within reach with Medici Circle sponsorships. Students receive funding for field trips to art exhibitions in major cities and travel for presentations, conferences and workshops. Sponsorships also compensate art students when their works are purchased for display in the BGSU Fine Arts Center Galleries.
85% of BGSU digital arts graduates report they’re employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation.
#1 university in Ohio for career preparation
The Wall Street Journal
Career - what can you do with a digital arts degree?
BGSU digital arts degree graduates have landed leadership roles with big-name employers such as:
- Microsoft Studios
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age and Robots)
- Dreamworks Animation (Shrek and Kung Fu Panda)
- Blizzard (World of Warcraft)
- Nike Global
- Bioware
- Riot Games
- Jam City
- Pinnacle Studios
- Max Gaming Studios
A B.A. in art with a specialization in digital arts opens doors to exciting and creative careers in the expanding and ever-evolving digital arts industry – and beyond.
Graduates have a variety of career paths because of their balanced foundation blending a broad liberal arts education with technological artistic expression. This degree offers a big-picture understanding of the world and its intersections with art and technology.
BGSU graduates with this undergraduate digital art degree are particularly well-suited for roles where artistic talent intersects with broader industry demands. They graduate ready for entry-level digital arts roles in fields like film and gaming, but many are also employed in the marketing, education and technology sectors that align with their required minor.
Career paths
- 2D or 3D animator
- Art director
- Creative product designer
- Web designer/user interface (UI) design
- Digital marketer or content creator
- Game artists/designers
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Digital arts degree options
BGSU School of Art students interested in studying digital arts can choose the avenue that best aligns with their career aspirations.
Undergraduate programs
Minor in digital arts – adds creative and technical skills that can enhance career opportunities in other fields, such as graphic design, marketing, education or STEM professions.
B.A. in art with specialization in digital arts – a well-rounded education combining a broad liberal arts foundation, courtesy of a required minor, with focused coursework in digital arts.
Students explore digital arts while keeping the door open to numerous electives or a double major in a complementary field. No portfolio review or thesis is required. Popular minors for students earning a BA in digital arts include computer science, biology, creative writing, media and communications, and film.
BFA in digital arts – a more intensive focus on developing artistic skills and techniques within digital arts. There’s a heavier emphasis on studio art courses and a required thesis project. Students can choose the track they want to follow: animation (2D & 3D), gaming and virtual environments or interdisciplinary.
This path is ideal for students looking for a career in specialized roles such as technical directors or animators, as well as those aiming for competitive fine arts graduate programs.
Graduate program
MFA in art with specialization in digital arts – a two-year program for students with a related bachelor’s degree interested in advanced research and artistry in computer animation, gaming, AI, physical computing, visualization, virtual worlds and hybrid media.
Curriculum
The B.A. in art with specialization in digital arts degree is designed for students who want to study digital art while keeping their career field options open.
Graduates must complete three art foundation courses, a course in Digital Imaging and five Digital Arts courses at the 3000- and 4000-level (at least one being at the 4000-level) and four art history courses.
A minor and a variety of electives round out the experience, offering digital arts majors the kind of entrepreneurial or skill-based competencies that open doors to an even wider range of exciting roles in the art world.
BGSU digital arts faculty offers students personalized guidance in selecting courses and tailoring their academic experience.
Sample courses
- 3D Digital Animation
- 3D Modeling
- Advanced Digital Imaging Art Studio
- Animation Effects
#1 public university in the Midwest students would choose again
The Wall Street Journal
The digital arts program is part of the School of Art in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 03/21/2025 11:22AM