The best time for an Art major to go abroad will be a combination of their concentration, credits they have transferred in, whether they have a dual major or a minor, whether they plan on taking any summer classes, and their personal situation. Listed below are some suggested time frames for each concentration. Students looking to go abroad during a different period are encouraged to work closely with their Art advisor and the Education Abroad Office.
For all concentrations short-term study abroad opportunities are normally fairly easy to fit into a student’s degree plan. The Art department normally offers 2-3 faculty-led programs each summer. Students are able to start participating on short-term programs (winter break, spring break, and summer) as early as their first year. Some Art faculty-led programs may have specific prerequisite requirements. Students participating on short-term faculty-led programs often fulfill General Education, Major Free Electives, Major Concentration courses, Language requirements, or 2nd Major/Minor requirements.
Semester programs
Outlined below are suggested times for students to complete a semester abroad. It may be possible to go abroad at other times but students should work closely with their advisor.
Art Education
Art Education majors looking to participate in a semester program should look to do so their Sophomore year. Students should plan on taking CI 2300 the summer after their first year or after their second year and then ART 2222, PSY 3010 and FDN 2400 either before or after their study abroad experience. While abroad students will concentrate on their general education and Studio Art electives. Students can also apply to participate in International Student Teaching during their final semester.
Art History
The best time for a student to complete a semester program is during their Junior year. Students can take a combination of Art History electives, general education requirements, and minor coursework. Students can also look for a program that offers language coursework if they are still working on their Appalachian language requirement. The second semester of Sophomore year can also be a good time to go abroad. During this semester students can take major Related Area coursework, language requirements, and general education courses. Students should be careful if they need ART 2130 as not all partners may offer this course.
Art Management
Art Management majors will normally take a combination of general education, nonprofit management, language and Art History courses while abroad. Nonprofit Management courses like Social Media, Principles of Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Organizational Psychology, and Survey of Accounting may be easier to find. It may also be possible to fulfill some Art Management Concentration requirements abroad such as Microeconomics, Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Design, Special Topics courses, and in some locations a practicum or internship. Students should look at the Business Programs by Major pages to identify options for fulfilling their business course requirements.
Commercial Photography
The best time to spend a semester abroad is during the Junior year. Students will normally take major electives, general education requirements, and possibly a Technical Specialization requirement. It may not be possible to find an equivalent to PHO 3092 so students may want to plan around this requirement.
Graphic Communications Management
GCM majors should complete a semester program during the spring of their junior year at Hochschule der Medien. Students should work closely with their department well in advance of their study abroad semester to prepare for the program. Students may also look to participate in a summer or short-term program.
Graphic Design
Students looking to spend a semester abroad often complete it during their Junior year. It is important to plan very carefully for this experience as it may be difficult to find all of the required studios abroad. The best strategy is to take a course or two at Appalachian during the summer before or after the semester abroad and to focus on taking major electives, general education requirements, and professional development coursework.
Studio Art B.A.
The best time for a student to complete a semester program is during their Junior year. Students can take a combination of Studio Art Concentration, general education requirements, and minor coursework. Students can also look for a program that offers language coursework if they are still working on their Appalachian language requirement. The second semester of Sophomore year can also be a good time to go abroad. During this semester students can concentrate on their language requirements and general education courses while taking a free elective. Students should be careful if they need ART 2130 as not all partners may offer this course.
Studio Art B.S.
The best time for a student to complete a semester program is during the 1st or 2nd semester of the Junior year, although it may be possible to go abroad during the Sophomore or Senior year with careful planning. Students looking to go abroad during their Junior year will need to plan around ART 3015 or find a program abroad that offers an equivalent of this course. Students should look for programs that connect to their Emphasis Area or offer Studio Art Electives that interest them. Students should plan on taking ___________ before or after their semester abroad.
