ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Accompanying is one of the primary skills necessary to keyboard players, and essential to their success in the professional world.

Pursue your passion for the arts — and a creative, fulfilling career. We offer high-quality degree programs specializing in graphic design, multimedia arts, education, art history and, of course, the studio arts medium that interests you most.

Art History courses at UW-Whitewater explore art and visual culture, from antiquity to the present, in relation to aesthetic, cultural, social, historical, and theoretical contexts. 

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design program is to provide students the ability to visually communicate ideas and information while expressing themselves creatively.

Certification provides graduates with the ability to become instructors in specific areas of art, such as art history, jewelry, printmaking, etc. 

Get exceptional training and earn licensure to teach art at the elementary and high school levels. With this major, you will take courses related to art and design, as well as instruction and teaching curriculum.

From watercolors to the web, arts abound at UW-Whitewater. Learn technical aspects of producing art in a studio. Let your passion for art blossom at UW-Whitewater.

The changing media landscape and growth of digital and streaming content have created huge demand for audio professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the audio job market is expected to grow more than 6% through 2029.

Our students can select from seven communication majors to prepare themselves for a career in a Communication field marked by continuous, persistent, and frequent change. 

As businesses become more strategic, sophisticated and intentional in how they approach and interact with stakeholders, there’s a growing need for business-savvy communication professionals who can deliver messages — and results.

How we access information and experience entertainment has evolved over the years. While our screens have gotten smaller and devices have become more portable, one thing is certain: multimedia storytelling and quality audio, video and design skills are still in demand. 

Public relations is an exciting, versatile profession. All industries and companies need savvy professionals who can clearly communicate messages across multiple platforms to the public, the media, customers and other stakeholders.

Demand for effective communication skills in employees continues to be a top priority in hiring and in promotion decisions at companies large and small. According to the National Communication Association (NACE Outlook Survey), employers continuously identify the “ability to communicate effectively both inside and outside the organization” as the number one skill necessary in an employee at any level within their company.

Become a maestro by learning advanced direction skills in an increasingly competitive professional market. The Conducting Certificate is especially valuable for music education students.

According to LinkedIn, creativity is one of the top skills that employers look for when hiring. In research done in 2019, 2020, and 2021, creativity was identified as the #1 soft skill desired by organizations across the business landscape.

In the UW-Whitewater Theatre and Dance program, everyone has a chance to learn everything from the front of the house to behind the scenes. We’re a highly hands-on, collaborative program offering an array of major, minor and degree options.

Demand for professionals with social media and digital communication skills has exploded. LinkedIn’s recent Jobs on the Rise Report highlighted the powerful digital transformation happening globally and predicted growth of 150 million technology/digital jobs in the next five years.

From national and international corporate parties, national political conventions, global academic conferences, and huge non-profit fundraisers, to PTO family events, local weddings, and scouting retreats, the demand for accomplished event planners is significant and growing. 

Explore visual art through a variety of mediums and historical eras by pursuing a minor in Expressive Arts. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to take courses on a range of artistic subjects, including contemporary art, ancient art, 3-dimensional design, and more. Coming in 2025.

This online graduate certificate dives into the realms of advocacy, policy, and research, gaining the expertise to become a specialized health communication professional.

With an Individually Designed major or minor, you can work with an advisor to create the perfect program for you and your passions.

Today’s journalists do far more than gather and report the news. The 21st century demands journalism professionals be skilled writers, photographers, videographers, sound technicians, editors and producers.

An advertising degree from UW-Whitewater will give you your best start in the ever-changing world of advertising. You will benefit from high-level instruction, coupled with industry expertise focused on building your skills.

UW-Whitewater offers a well-rounded journalism major that will prepare you for multiple career paths, whether you want to be on the air, behind the scenes, or at the keyboard.

Do you have a passion for world events? Want to travel the world and tell the stories of cultures around the globe? International Journalism is the career for you.

Prepare yourself for professional and personal success in a media landscape that is noisy and seemingly overflowing with endless content and misinformation. Learn how to expertly navigate communication channels and the media industry.

Making interactive content and engaging with others is at the heart of the Media Arts and Game Development program at UW-Whitewater — or MAGD, as we call it on campus.

Making interactive content and engaging with others is at the heart of the Media Arts and Game Development program at UW-Whitewater — or MAGD, as we call it on campus.

Making interactive content and engaging with others is at the heart of the Media Arts and Game Development program at UW-Whitewater — or MAGD, as we call it on campus.

Learn to produce original, creative digital content for interactive computer games, animation, special effects, 3D, motion graphics and more.

If you’re inspired to turn that passion into a career you love, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater could be the right place for you to prepare for a future of performance, composing, teaching or succeeding in another music-related role.

Experience the ways that audio and sound work across a range of media. Learn sound design and recording techniques in theatre, gaming, music, and communication.

Make your voice heard - not only in song but in teaching the next generation of choral students. Help others share your love of singing with a degree in choral music education.

From clarinet to cello, timpani to trombone, your passion for instrumental music knows no bounds. Turn that passion into a career you will love with an instrumental education degree from UW-Whitewater.

Share your love of music with other through a career in instrumental performance. With performance opportunities through over 27 ensembles, you will be well-rehearsed for your future.

Instrumentalists and vocalists whose primary interest is in jazz performance will benefit from this jazz-centered program, which will enhance your technical and creative ability as a musician.

Do you only feel at home with your fingers on the keys? Prepare for a career in keyboard performance at UW-Whitewater.

If you love musical theatre, this minor will help you develop acting, vocal technique, dance skills, and entrepreneurial savvy necessary for a career in the industry.

Refine your skills in the area of music arrangement and composition, and prepare for graduate study in musicology. You will take courses on a wide variety of subjects, such as arrangement for choral and keyboard performance, music history, music theory, electronic music and sound design, jazz arrangement, and more.

Share your song with the world through a career in vocal performance. With numerous opportunities to learn and perform, your passion for music will become a future you love.

This is a program for students who have already received music degrees who seek licensure or additional licensure to teach music in public schools.

Spread your love of music to the next generation. If you love what music has done for you, you can teach others to share that passion with a degree in music education from UW-Whitewater.

Designed for students who wish to attend graduate school in Musicology/Music History or for students who want a more in-­‐depth background in Music History beyond the basic survey. Students who complete this Certificate will have 4-­‐5 major papers for their portfolios, experiences in advanced research techniques, and more extensive background in cultural studies, critical theory, and world music.

Designed for students who wish to attend graduate school in Music Theory or for students who want a more in-­‐depth background in Music Theory beyond the basic survey. Students who complete this Certificate will have several major papers, compositions, and arrangements for their portfolios, experiences in advanced research techniques, and more extensive background in musical analysis.

Master written communication, research competency and more as you hone your expertise in managing relationships with internal constituencies and explore the nuances of organizational structure.

Master messaging, technology and strategy to influence your audience.

The Sports Communication Certificate helps prepare students for a wide variety of in-demand jobs related to sports journalism/broadcasting and sports promotion. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth from 2020-2030 for reporters, journalists, and news analysts.

Strategy, influence, research and messaging become your domain in contexts such as advertising, public relations, and crisis communication as you elevate your career to become a global communication practitioner.

In the UW-Whitewater Theatre and Dance program, everyone has a chance to learn everything from the front of the house to behind the scenes. 

Outstanding productions require creative and technical experts who can bring the atmosphere of a stage to life.

You're never happier than when you're in the spotlight. Turn your passion into a career in theatre performance with a degree from UW-Whitewater.

A successful theatre show requires more than just great acting. It requires talent behind the scenes, managing all the aspects of ensuring the show runs smoothly. Learn the finer points of stage management with hands-on experience at UW-Whitewater.

Help mold the next generation of theatre performers. Learn the skills needed to teach high school students and share your love of theatre.

Train future actors, directors, costume designers, stage managers, stage crew and more. Our program will give you experience in both the front and back of the stage, and preparation to teach elementary through high school curriculum.

From technical skills in sound and visual media, to exercises in creative storytelling, this certificate provides you with a comprehensive foundation in all aspects of video production.