How many years does it take to get a fine arts bachelor’s degree?

Most fine arts bachelor’s degrees require a minimum of 120 credits for completion. During this time, fine arts majors can hone their craft and work toward entering the professional world.

Fine Arts Degrees

Q: Do you need a fine arts degree to be an artist?

A degree in fine arts is not necessary to be an artist. However, improving a specific skill or ability, learning how to market yourself and your trade, and a strong work ethic may be helpful when pursuing a career as an artist. All of this is taught in a fine arts bachelor’s degree and specialized fine art courses.

Q: What is a major in music education?

A music degree in education is a multidisciplinary major encompassing courses in art, history, English, languages, psychology and philosophy as they pertain to music. GCU offers a choral voice music education degree and an instrumental: brass, woodwind, percussion or strings music education degree where you will be taught the history of music, music theory and philosophies.

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Overview

Let Your Passion for Dance, Theatre or Music Fuel Your Future

Express your creativity and showcase your talents by earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, performing arts or digital arts from Grand Canyon University. The College of Arts and Media at GCU incorporates leadership and an array of performance opportunities specific to your learning interests as a fine arts major.

The influence and significance of performance resonate with our dedicated and passionate dancers, artists, musicians and actors at GCU's campus as they explore the profound effects of their craft on audiences of all ages. At GCU, you’ll discover how the rigorous standards in arts education can foster an environment where fine arts majors embrace risk-taking, learn from setbacks and enhance critical thinking and communication abilities.

$62,590

The average median annual wage for music directors and composers is $62,590, as of May 2023.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

GCU’s Fine Arts Majors Can Gain Real Performance Experience

Master the arts and nurture your creative flair with the College of Arts and Media's degrees in theatre, dance, music, advertising design, and even digital design and digital film for those individuals seeking a distinct path in the realm of fine art. Learn how GCU’s fine arts degree programs can provide practical experiences to help you pursue your passion, refine your artistic skills and work toward reaching your career goals in the arts.

Explore our diverse range of bachelor's degrees in fine arts designed to empower your academic journey. Immerse yourself in artistic disciplines and cultivate expertise aligned with your creative aspirations.

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Coursework

Take Specialized Fine Arts Courses in Your Degree

The College of Arts and Media has a rich tradition in education and the arts, offering many types of performing arts, digital arts and degrees in fine arts that aim to help prepare you for your future career. To work toward achieving your desired career path, explore a comprehensive and collaborative educational experience offered by enrolling in one of GCU’s specialized programs, such as dance for secondary education or theatre education.

Merge your creativity with technical experience in fine arts courses, including:

Harnessing technological tools for music educators

Artistic expression specific to modern dance

Theatrical production techniques and stagecraft management

Scenography techniques illuminating stagecraft and set design

$82,510

Average median annual wage for producers and directors as of May 2023^{(See disclaimer 2)}

$80,360

Average median annual wage for postsecondary art, drama and music teachers as of May 2023^{(See disclaimer 3)}

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12 Matching Degrees

Area of Interest:Fine Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music

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Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music

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Bachelor of Arts in Dance

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Bachelor of Arts in Dance for Secondary Education

Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure

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Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film

with an Emphasis in Production

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Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film

with an Emphasis in Screenwriting

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Bachelor of Arts in Music Education-Choral: Voice

Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure

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Bachelor of Arts in Music Education-Instrumental: Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, or Strings

Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure

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Bachelor of Arts in Music

with an Emphasis in Instrumental Performance

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Careers

Career Possibilities for Graduates With a Degree in Theatre, Music or Dance

GCU provides fine arts degrees that aim to nurture graduates with a robust foundation in various disciplines such as theatre, dance, music, as well as digital design and digital film, qualities regarded by many employers.

Begin your journey in performance and production by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, which can potentially equip you for various career paths, including:

Actor

Producer and director

Entertainer and performer

Dancer

Choreographer

Musician and singer

Why GCU

Earn Your Degree From an Accredited University

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), GCU undergoes a thorough evaluation of its degree programs. Arts and media students can trust that their curriculum aligns with the HLC's standards, affirming the university's commitment to excellence. The accreditation underscores the high quality of the programs available at GCU. To learn more about accreditation, visit our Accreditation page.

University HLC Accreditation

College of Arts and Media Rankings

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Flexible Degree Program Offerings to Fit Your Lifestyle

GCU’s Commitment to Affordable Education

At GCU, we understand the importance of making higher education — including fine arts bachelor’s degrees — affordable, which is why GCU offers fine arts programs and performing arts programs with financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Investing in your education can be a big decision. That’s why GCU offers these convenient cost-estimating tools and resources to help you plan for this investment in your future.

FAQ

FAQs for Fine Arts Degrees in Music, Theatre and Dance

The College of Arts and Media has prepared a few frequently asked questions to help guide you toward a degree program that best matches your passion while preparing you with a comprehensive academic foundation.

What do you study in fine arts courses?

A degree in fine arts can help prepare you for a career in the arts, whether it be music, dance or theatre. GCU’s fine arts programs include courses that focus on a variety of creative outlets, including stage direction and costume design, dance pedagogy, choreography, orchestration, music history, animation, art and technology, ceramics, drawing, interactive digital media, painting, photography, printmaking, 3D graphics, 3D modeling, visual and performing art and more.

Do you need a degree to open a dance studio?

Opening a private dance studio does not always require a degree, but it does usually require start-up capital, business knowledge and extreme attention to detail. A bachelor’s degree in dance focuses on teaching strong foundational knowledge in dance. A dance education degree teaches the same strong dance foundation while also incorporating curriculum design and classroom management. Furthering your education with an MBA that offers a marketing emphasis can teach you aspects of managing a business — from marketing your art form to understanding finance and accounting. Coupling a bachelor’s in dance or dance education with a business minor or a master’s-level business degree can help you achieve skills and competencies that can help provide various professional opportunities, such as opening a dance studio.

Do you need a fine arts degree to be an artist?

What qualifications does a professional dancer need?

In addition to dance experience and strong physical stamina, an undergraduate degree in dance can help equip students to explore various dance genres or concentrate on a specific discipline. Typically, a degree in dance is not a requirement for professional dancers; however, attending a performing arts program or pursuing a degree in dance may also provide you with performance opportunities that can prepare you with practical experiences that can potentially lead to other opportunities.

What degree is best for an acting career?

Many aspiring actors and performers have the opportunity to benefit from the more specialized and formal training that can come with a performing arts degree, such the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama at GCU. The experience you can earn from a fine arts degree in theatre is designed to help prepare you for actual performances as well as assist you in positioning yourself to pursue potential internships or careers with professional companies.

What degree do you need for a music production career?

If your goal is to work in music production, you may be able to pursue several types of degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). GCU’s Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music may be a good choice for those who aspire to become a director, composer, musician or singer. Although there is no standard level of education required to be a music producer, 60% of music producers have earned at least a bachelor’s degree.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

What skills do you need to be a theatre director?

To become a theatre director, acquiring interpersonal skills, such as artistic sensitivity, creativity to express yourself in both oral and written modalities, strong negotiation techniques, persuasiveness and demonstrating the willingness to take artistic risks may be helpful in achieving your goals. Time management skills and the ability to work as part of a team may also be critical to becoming a theatre director. All of these are taught in the theatre and drama bachelor’s degree program at GCU.

What is a major in music education?

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The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Music Directors and Composers as of May 2023, retrieved May 7, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as music directors and composers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Producers and Directors as of May 2023, retrieved May 7, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as producers and directors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Postsecondary Art, Drama and Music Teachers as of May 2023, retrieved May 7, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as postsecondary art, drama and music teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Zippia. (2023, July 21). Best Colleges and Majors for Music Producers. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2024.

Fine Arts Degrees

Let Your Passion for Dance, Theatre or Music Fuel Your Future

GCU’s Fine Arts Majors Can Gain Real Performance Experience

Take Specialized Fine Arts Courses in Your Degree

Fine Arts Majors in Dance, Music and Theatre

Explore Fine Arts Degrees

Career Possibilities for Graduates With a Degree in Theatre, Music or Dance

Earn Your Degree From an Accredited University

More Benefits

FAQs for Fine Arts Degrees in Music, Theatre and Dance

We're here to help.

Let Your Passion for Dance, Theatre or Music Fuel Your Future

FAQs for Fine Arts Degrees in Music, Theatre and Dance

Take Specialized Fine Arts Courses in Your Degree

Fine Arts Majors in Dance, Music and Theatre

Career Possibilities for Graduates With a Degree in Theatre, Music or Dance

Explore Fine Arts Degrees

GCU’s Fine Arts Majors Can Gain Real Performance Experience

More Benefits

Earn Your Degree From an Accredited University