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College of Fine Arts
Division of Academic Affairs
  • About
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    Explore creativity at UTRGV's College of Fine Arts – a vibrant hub for artistic expression and innovation. Unleash your passion and talent with expert guidance in a dynamic learning environment.

    • About
      • Dean's Welcome
      • Maps & Directions
      • Dean's Office Team
  • Academic Programs
  • UTRGV ARTS
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    Explore UTRGV's community initiatives promoting literacy, culture, and the arts in the Rio Grande Valley. Learn about FESTIBA and UTRGV ARTS events. all designed to engage the community through visual and performing arts, theatre, dance, music, and creative writing.

    • UTRGV ARTS
      • Rio Grande Youth Symphony
      • Festiba
  • Schools and Departments
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    UTRGV's College of Fine Arts is where aspiring creatives come to be inspired. Distributed across two locations in Brownsville and Edinburg, the College of Fine Arts is comprised of the School of Art and Design, the School of Music, the Department of Theatre, the Department of Dance, and the Department of Creative Writing. Learn more about our programs and the endless possibilities for artistic expression that await you.

    • Schools and Departments
      • School of Art and Design
      • Creative Writing Department
      • School of Music
      • Department of Theatre
      • Dance Department
  • Research
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    The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's College of Fine Arts is committed to empowering creativity, fostering innovation, and nurturing artistic excellence. Our students and faculty are encouraged to explore and discover in the arts and across disciplinary boundaries.

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      • Grants and Projects
      • CFA Research Hub
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    Explore UTRGV's College of Fine Arts resources for students and faculty, including scholarships, grants, study abroad, academic advising, and research support. Learn about funding opportunities, ensemble policies, travel grants, application processes, and guidelines. Access essential resources for academic growth, creative activities, and institutional support at UTRGV’s comprehensive student and faculty resource pages.

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Folklorico dancing in Brownsville

Academic Programs

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Please see program-specific audition information within the College of Fine Arts. Students applying to certain programs may need to pass an audition for acceptance in addition to being accepted to UTRGV. 


Additional Enrollment Hours Request 

When requesting over the cap limit of hours, please fill out the Additional Enrollment Hours Request below. Email it to cofa@utrgv.edu. 

  • Additional Enrollment Hours Request 

Academic Programs

Bachelor's

Student working on clay sculpture in art studio

Bachelor's Degree

Art (BFA)

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Art provides students with an opportunity to express themselves using a variety of creative disciplines and methods within the visual arts. Students are prepared for such fields as Museum Studies, Gallery Management, Teaching, Studio Art, Art Therapy, Fashion, Marketing, and Graduate Studies in Architecture. The program offers several concentrations.  

Student learning about art with teacher

Bachelor's Degree

Art - Teacher Certification (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Art - Teacher Certification

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Art (with EC-12 Teacher Certification) trains students to become certified art teachers skilled in relevant studio techniques, artist processes, art curriculum design, and classroom strategies. The EC-12 program produces practicing artists who are trained to teach in a variety of settings including K-12, community arts, galleries, and museums. UTRGV is approved by the Texas Education Agency to recommend students who complete all requirements of this degree for teaching certification.

Dancers performing a ballet on stage

Bachelor's Degree

Dance (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Dance

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Dance provides a broad coverage of dance training, including dance technique, improvisational and choreographic skills, music for dancers, historical and cultural dimensions of dance, dance production, dance science, and theories of dance. The Dance Department provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a variety of dance careers, offering both a broad base of study and an opportunity for more intensive work in areas of specific interest. 

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Bachelor's Degree

Dance (BFA)

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Dance emphasizes training in dance performance and choreographic skills. This degree is designed to provide students with a broad and thorough base of dance technique training and performance experience to prepare for continued study at the graduate level or to enter the dance field in a professional capacity. 

Big group of dancers performing folklorico on stage with colorful background

Bachelor's Degree

Dance - Teacher Certification (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Dance - Teacher Certification

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Dance provides a broad coverage of dance training, including dance technique, improvisational and choreographic skills, music for dancers, historical and cultural dimensions of dance, dance production, dance science, and theories of dance. The Dance Department provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a variety of dance careers, offering both a broad base of study and an opportunity for more intensive work in areas of specific interest. 

mariachi singing and playing instruments on stage

Bachelor's Degree

Music - Teacher Certification (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Music — Teacher Certification

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Music (with EC-12 Teacher Certification) prepares students for careers as Music Teachers, who want to educate their students in performance and music theory. Music teachers lead various performance ensembles, such as marching band, orchestra, or choir. This degree can also lead to other careers in the field of music, including work as a Musicologist, Music Historian, Ethnomusicologist, and more. The required courses are aligned with the state of Texas requirements for teacher certification (TExES).

UTRGV is approved by the State Board of Educator Certification to recommend students who complete all requirements of this degree for teaching certification.

Students choose from several concentrations.

The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Concentrations:

  • Guitar
  • Mariachi
  • Piano
  • String
  • Voice
  • Woodwind/Brass/Percussion

Students playing in orchestra

Bachelor's Degree

Music Composition (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Music Composition

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor of Music in Music Composition offers an exciting experience for students who want to dive deep into the world of music composition.  

In this program, you will study music theory and composition techniques in an intensive and engaging way. You will get plenty of hands-on experience, composing music for a wide range of instruments and ensembles. The program encourages you to explore and develop your unique musical voice, whether you are into classical, jazz, or electronic.  

If you are ready to turn your passion for music into a career, the Bachelor of Music in Music Composition program will help you achieve your goals and make your note in the music world.  

Students watching instructor teaching music on screen

Bachelor's Degree

Music Technology (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Music Technology

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor of Music in Music Technology program is designed to prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need for a successful career in the modern music industry.  

Imagine diving into a curriculum that covers everything from music theory and recording techniques to programming languages and sound design. The program will teach you about sound science and how to use cutting-edge technology to capture, create, and manipulate audio!  

Courses in this program are as exciting as they are varied. Plus, the program emphasizes hands-on experience. You will get to work with state-of-the-art equipment and software and collaborate on real-world projects, giving you a taste of what it is like to work in the industry. If you are ready to turn your passion for music and technology into a career, this program is an incredible opportunity to do just that.  

students practicing with drums

Bachelor's Degree

Performance (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Performance

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Performance leads students toward graduate study and/or a career in music performance and is a valuable stepping stone to a professional career. It requires proficiency in a secondary instrument and junior and senior recitals in the major area of study. The program offers several concentrations.

The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Concentrations:

  • Guitar
  • Piano
  • String
  • Voice
  • Woodwind/Brass/Percussion

theatre students on stage acting

Bachelor's Degree

Theatre (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Theatre allows undergraduates the opportunity to perform, design, educate, and produce in the areas of theatre and film. The program provides the facilities, faculty, curriculum, and opportunity for students to focus on acting, directing, writing, design, costuming, cinematography, editing, or education. The program offers several concentrations.

The Department of Theatre is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).

theatre majors with arms up in the air on stage

Bachelor's Degree

Theatre - Teacher Certification (BA)

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Teacher Certification

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Theatre (with EC-12 certification) allows undergraduates the opportunity to perform, design, educate, and produce in the areas of theatre and film. The program provides the facilities, faculty, curriculum, and opportunity for students to focus on acting, directing, writing, design, costuming, cinematography, editing, or education.

UTRGV is approved by the State Board of Educator Certification to recommend students who complete all requirements of this degree for teaching certification.

The Department of Theatre is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).

Student working on graphic design

Bachelor's Degree

Visual Communication Design (BFA)

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication Design focuses on visual communication, typography, and graphic design. Students who graduate from the program are equipped with a broad range of practices in the design field, including advertising, information design, branding, editorial design and illustration, motion graphics, animation, type design, interaction design, user-centered design (UX/UI), and cross-disciplinary design fields.

Master's

Student bending down in front of mural

Master's Degree

Art (MFA)

Master of Fine Arts in Art

Program Modality: Campus

The Master’s degree in Art is designed for those who desire to pursue advanced studies in art. The program provides art students with the opportunity for concentrated study in their major area; the concentrations allow them to expand their expressive capabilities for personal, professional, and academic reasons.

 

Student looking at painting in a gallyery exhibit

Master's Degree

Art History - Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - Art History

Program Modality: Campus

The Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Art History is designed for candidates who want to advance their careers with a degree tailored to their areas of interest.

The best art history programs are interdisciplinary. During the program, students take courses in art history, as well as two focus areas of their choice such as Anthropology, Mexican American Studies, Women's Studies, History, Communications, Music, Modern Languages, Literature, etc.

image of student author next to published book

Master's Degree

Creative Writing (MFA)

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Program Modality: Campus

The Master’s degree in Creative Writing offers advanced study and practice of literary craft. This studio/research program provides aspiring writers with the ongoing support and challenge of a workshop environment, along with individualized guidance by faculty members who are published authors themselves.

The degree program prepares students for careers as writers, teachers at the college or university level, editors, literary translators, and other related professional careers. The program provides further training in the art of contemporary literary writing and publishing, the artistic inspiration of other writers as peers and mentors, and a deepened understanding and appreciation of literary traditions, including those of the Rio Grande Valley and elsewhere.

Music concert with students playing trumpets

Master's Degree

Music (MM)

Master of Music in Music

Program Modality: Campus

The Master's degree in Music provides advanced graduate level study and preparation for musicians interested in music history, theory, and pedagogy beyond the scope of a bachelor's degree in music. Students choose from several concentrations.

The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Concentrations:

  • Conducting
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Multiple Instrument Performance
  • Music Education
  • Performance
  • Theory-Composition

Undergraduate Minors

Art 

Art History

Art and Entrepreneurship

Visual Communication Design

Jazz Studies

Mariachi Performance (For Majors)

Mariachi Performance (For Non-Majors)

Music

Music Technology (For Majors)

Music Technology (For Non-Majors)

Popular Music

Dance 

Film Production

Theatre 

Creative Writing 

Certificates

Design

Latine American Art History 

Jazz Studies

Music Technology

Performance with Mariachi Concentration 

Popular Music

Creative Writing

Contact College of Fine Arts


Brownsville

BMSLC 2.210
Email: cofa@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2175

Edinburg

ELABS 334
Email: cofa@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2175

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