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Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
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B.A. in Integrative Arts

Choose your own...
art adventure!

Did you ever wish you could design your own major? With a B.A. in Integrative Arts, you can. It’s a multidisciplinary, student-designed degree where students focus their programs of study on vocational, scholarly, or creative interests in the arts and design that exist outside or across the boundaries of existing majors in the College of Arts and Architecture.

If you want to pursue an arts and design degree tailored to YOUR interests, Integrative Arts is for you.

The Integrative Arts program is specifically designed to encourage and to provide students with the broadest opportunities to explore unique and unexpected creative, intellectual, and vocational pathways. The program is dedicated to helping its students acquire the unique intellectual and creative tools they will need to achieve their individual career goals and creative aspirations.

Integrative Arts students identify a specialized course of study for their degree program that may focus on a particular topic, creative path, or career goal in the arts. In consultation with an adviser, students devise an individualized academic plan that will best help them to investigate their chosen theme, usually by combining study in two or more arts areas with explorations in other subject areas such as science, engineering, business, or communications.

Is the B.A. in Integrative Arts right for you?

The Integrative Arts program’s mission is to prepare undergraduate students to work successfully as innovative and dynamic artists, designers, and performers in an increasingly interdisciplinary world. Students pursue intellectual and creative pursuits beyond the boundaries of traditional arts majors and, when appropriate to the student’s goals, integrate study outside the arts.

Students are encouraged to engage in career-related internships and self-directed research projects, as well as independent study courses.

SoVA students in protective clothing and headgear pouring metal into a mold.

Considering the B.A. in Integrative Arts? Consider this.

You’ll design your own major based on your interests in the arts and design, plus other academic areas.

  • Your adviser works closely with you to ensure your degree program supports your goals and interests.

  • As a student in Arts and Architecture, you have access to a range of top-notch resources.

  • Graduates are prepared to enter our increasingly interdisciplinary world.

Alumni Spotlight

Brian Kappel

Alumni Spotlight

Brian Kappel

B.A. in Art 1998

Brian is a Portland, Oregon-based artist, graphic designer and a self-described “tinkerer.” After a more than 15-year career with Nike, he founded Space Monkey Designs, a firm that is responsible for numerous high-profile designs including VIP event space for ESPN, set design for the Dew Tour and the College Football Playoff suites.

Illustration of robot in the jaws of a monster, by Brian Kappel
Man looking at futuristic robotic insect. Work by Brian Kappel.
Faceted illustration of woman and flowers by Brian Kappel.

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