College of the Arts

Wm. Robert Bucker, Dean

Sue Taylor, Associate Dean

Lincoln Hall 349

503-725-3105

www.pdx.edu/the-arts

  • B.A., B.S.—Architecture, Art, Art History, Arts Studies, Film, Music, and Theater Arts
  • B.F.A.—Art Practices
  • B.M.—Performance, Voice, Jazz Studies, Music Education and Composition
  • Certificate in Dance
  • Minor in Architecture; Art History; Dance; Design Management; Drawing, Painting, Printmaking; Film Studies; Graphic Design; Jazz Studies; Music History; Photography; Sculpture; Time Arts; and Theater Arts
  • Secondary Education Program in Art, Music, and Theater Arts
  • M.A., M.S.—Music, Theater Arts
  • M.M.—Music
  • M.Arch—Architecture
  • M.F.A.—Contemporary Art Practices

The mission of the College of the Arts is to provide outstanding professional education and training in partnership with the region’s working artists, scholars, creative professionals and cultural institutions in the fields of architecture, art and design, music, theatre and film. We create and collaborate, and provide opportunities for faculty and students to shape the future by pushing boundaries. The College of the Arts is a strategic partner in preparing talented young people for leadership in creative careers. Students are challenged to see their work within the artistic and critical traditions that provoke their own creative thinking and to seek interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration in both a local and global context. Located in the heart of Portland’s cultural district, the school resides within the Park Blocks of downtown, in which the major arts organizations are based, such as the Portland Art Museum and the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. We view this as our extended campus. Within blocks of the school reside theaters, galleries, professional studios, and design and architectural firms, which provide a stimulating environment in which our students develop through interactions and internships. The combination of a celebrated faculty and a professional arts environment creates exciting and challenging undergraduate and graduate programs with high professional standards in all four Schools within the College—Architecture, Art and Design, Music, and Theater and Film.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Differential Tuition

Fine and Performing Arts Courses

Undergraduate program

School of Architecture

School of Art and Design

School of Music

School of Theater and Film

Admission requirements

Policy on admission to undergraduate programs

Students may declare the major at any time after enrolling at Portland State University, with the exception of Music, which requires admission immediately. Subsequently, students must be admitted formally to all degree programs in architecture, arts studies, film, graphic design, theater arts, and the BFA in Art Practices before they will (1) be allowed to enroll in restricted upper-division courses offered by the program and (2) be graduated from that program. Students apply for formal department admission one to two terms before completing all eligibility requirements. Specific application deadlines, criteria for admission and applications are available on respective School websites.

Students transferring from other institutions who want to be admitted formally to a specific degree program must:

•    Meet all eligibility requirements.

•    Apply for admission to PSU.

•    Have one copy of their transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions.

•    Apply for program admission to the school of choice (including if requested, one copy of their transcripts sent to their school of choice)

Please see individual School websites for more specific admissions information.