1. Hixson-Lied College
  2. Academics
  3. Graduate Majors & Degrees

Undergraduate Majors & Degrees

Learn more about our major and degree options, so you can select the right program to match your creative interests and align with your career goals.

Nebraska's Da'Von George, a graphic design major in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts

Art, Art History & Graphic Design

Business leaders from around the world identify creativity as one of the most important skills needed in today’s economy. Studying art, graphic design and/or art history will help you develop your ability to think both critically and creatively.

The degree programs in the School of Art, Art History & Design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Art

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) – Studio Art

Study art and expand your learning opportunities across the humanities and sciences with a B.A. in Art. The B.F.A. is a professional degree with an increased emphasis on artistic development. You will select a studio area to focus on and create a portfolio that can lead to professional work or graduate school.

Studio areas available include: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture

Career Examples:

  • Studio Artist
  • Illustrator
  • Digital Artist
  • Arts Administrator
  • Art Consultant
  • Art Instructor
  • Gallery Manager
  • Art Buyer

Art History

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – Art History

Gain a humanistic foundation for analyzing and understanding the visual arts. The B.A. in Art History provides students with an opportunity to connect learning across different disciplines and courses.

Career Examples:

  • Art Historian
  • Gallery or Museum Manager
  • Gallery or Museum Curator
  • Conservator
  • Art Appraiser
  • Arts Administrator

Graphic Design

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) – Graphic Design

This degree will expose you to graphic design principles while leaving time to investigate other subjects. It can also offer a professional degree with a focus on design development. Through additional course work in art and design, you will create a portfolio that can lead to professional work or graduate school.

Career Examples:

  • Art Director
  • Graphic Designer
  • Fashion and Retail Graphic Design
  • Creative Director
  • Interaction Designer
  • Industrial/Product Designer
  • Mobile Application Designer
  • Web Designer
  • Multimedia Artist

Emerging Media Arts & Film

In the leading interdisciplinary Emerging Media Arts program, students learn to create stories and build worlds using filmmaking, interactive media, virtual reality, virtual production, experience design, sound, physical computing, wearable technologies and data visualization. The program emphasizes experiential and project-based learning through studio and laboratory experiences with close faculty mentoring.

Emerging Media

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) – Emerging Media Arts

Learn to create media across a continuum from filmmaking to game design, virtual reality, experience design, special effects, sensory media, sonic art and data. EMA emphasizes experiential and project-based learning, through studio and laboratory experiences with close faculty mentoring.

Career Examples:

  • Filmmaker
  • Game Designer
  • VR/AR/XR Creator
  • Sound Designer
  • Production Designer
  • Wearable Technologist
  • Animator
  • Experience Designer

Students choose to specialize in two areas of emphasis starting the second year. Emphasis options include:

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Additional Program Application Required

In addition to applying for admission to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, students must submit a separate application to be accepted into the Emerging Media Arts program.

Learn about Applying to Emerging Media Arts

Music, Music Education & Dance

Glenn Korff School of Music students may pursue a broad range of undergraduate degree options, including the Bachelor of Arts in Music, the Bachelor of Music degree, the Bachelor of Music Education degree, and the Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Graduates of the program find success across a full range of professional and graduate-study opportunities nationally and internationally.

The degree programs in The Glenn Korff School of Music are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the dance program is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

Music

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Music (B.M.) – Music

If you want to pursue a second major or minor in another subject or if you want to balance musical pursuits with the liberal arts, a career in professional performance or composition, or to continue music study at the graduate level, this is the most appropriate degree program.

Career Examples:

  • Arranger
  • Church Musician
  • Composer
  • Performer
  • Entertainment Law
  • Music Manager
  • Music Manufacturer
  • Music Technologist
  • Performer
  • Recording Engineer
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Audition Required

In addition to applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, you must audition for the Glenn Korff School of Music faculty to be accepted as a major or minor in music. When you audition, you will also be considered for scholarship financial support.

Learn More About Audition Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Music (B.M.) – Music Degree Details

Music Education

Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)

Prepare for a career teaching choral, general and instrumental music in primary and secondary schools.

Career Examples:

  • Music Teacher (K–12)
  • Private Studio Teacher
  • Church Musician
  • Music Technologist
  • Performer
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Audition Required

In addition to applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, you must audition for the Glenn Korff School of Music faculty to be accepted as a major or minor in music. When you audition, you will also be considered for scholarship financial support.

Learn More About Audition Requirements

Dance

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – Dance

A truly liberal arts degree with a modern dance focus that offers:

  • A balanced and integrated course load encouraging you to explore your personal artistry
  • Cultural, theatrical and performing aspects of dance
  • An emphasis on development of working methods

Career Examples:

  • Dance Artist
  • Choreographer
  • Dance Production
  • Dance Studio Owner
  • Dance Instructor/Educator
  • Dance/Art Administrator
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Audition Required

In addition to applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, you must audition for the Glenn Korff School of Music faculty to be accepted as a major or minor in dance. When you audition, you will also be considered for scholarship financial support.

Learn More About Audition Requirements

Theatre

At the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, you will get the experience you need. The programs are selective, rigorous, demanding and filled with opportunities to help you develop your craft. Work side-by-side with professionals in our resident Equity theatre, the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. Earn Actors’ Equity credits to join the union by the time you graduate. You can also work at the entirely student-run theatre troupe, Theatrix.

The degree programs in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).

Acting

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) – Acting

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting (BFA) is a Professional Actor Training Program that provides young artists with rigorous training and a variety of performance opportunities intended to challenge and enliven the creative spirit, including the opportunity to perform at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Nebraska’s premier professional Equity theatre. It balances foundational and advanced performance practices in theatre and film with exposure to specialized performance techniques in voiceover, gaming, motion capture, green screen, and other emerging disciplines. The BFA in Acting provides a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to actor training that prepares students for success in an ever-changing industry.

Career Examples:

  • Actor
  • Director
  • Stage Manager
  • Producer
  • Stunt Performer
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Audition Required

In addition to applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, you must audition for the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film faculty for acceptance into the performance major degree program. When you audition, you will also be considered for scholarship financial support.

Learn More About Auditions

Theatre Arts

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

You will gain a well-rounded liberal education, as well as vigorous training in the areas of scenic design, costume design, lighting design and technical production.

Career Examples:

  • Scene Designer
  • Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer
  • Technical Director
  • Master Carpenter
  • Stitcher
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Additional Program Application Required

In addition to applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, you must apply separately for acceptance into the design/technical production major degree program. When you apply, you will also be considered for scholarship financial support.

Learn More About the Application

Theatre Design and Technical Production

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) – Design and Technical Production

You will gain a well-rounded liberal education, as well as vigorous training in the areas of scenic design, costume design, lighting design and technical production.

Career Examples:

  • Scene Designer
  • Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer
  • Technical Director
  • Master Carpenter
  • Stitcher
file-information(basic)

Additional Program Application Required

In addition to applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, you must apply separately for acceptance into the design/technical production major degree program. When you apply, you will also be considered for scholarship financial support.

Learn More About the Application