The Painting and Drawing major is an interdisciplinary track that provides students with the resources to explore a dynamic, individualized studio practice. Students begin by learning fundamental skills based upon representation, then expand their work by exploring a variety of materials and self-directed concepts.

Illustrators are excited by the surprising unpredictability of contemporary imagery in our media-driven world. Learn the language of visual communication while engaging in relentless experimentation. Students encounter a range of challenges in areas that integrate animation, drawing, new media, printmaking, photography, painting, design, sound art, motion graphics, digital sculpture, and installation.

The Digital Arts Animation major at the Art Academy invites students to study the compositional elements that are associated with time-based imagery, understand the language of moving images, and explore how these specific principles are manifested in 2D, 3D, and 4D compositions.

An integrated education, Design is a fusion of studio practices and liberal arts experiences all through a contemporary lens. Discover how to refine the process of inquiry that leads to creative solutions for a variety of visual communication problems and gain the intellectual and technical skills needed to achieve success as a design professional.

Our trans-disciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare you for a future at the forefront of contemporary poetry and creative writing.

The Art Academy’s large, well-equipped print media facility provides opportunities for students to express their creativity. Our print media major emphasizes traditional approaches invigorated by new technologies. Students are introduced to a full range of techniques, including monoprints, relief, lithography, intaglio, screen printing, letterpress, and book arts.

The Photography major’s breadth of traditional and cutting-edge processes is unique to the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Students learn about 35mm, digital, medium-and large-format cameras, black and white printing, digital output, color shooting, experimental photography, and digital video. They have the opportunity to link photographic theory and practice to other artistic disciplines.

The Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Culinary and Food Science prepares students to join the food industry as entry-level food scientists and technologists or to enter related occupational areas including product research and development, quality control and food safety, regulatory compliance, food production supervision, and specialty ingredient sales. During the first two years of the bachelor’s program students focus on the fundamentals of culinary arts. Students develop their skills in the Midwest Culinary Institute’s state-of-the-art culinary and baking laboratories, under the supervision of faculty members with professional expertise. In the third and fourth years, students expand their culinary and food science skills. Upper-level coursework includes food ingredient functionality, food product design and development, sensory evaluation and testing, food microbiology, and other preparation for professional careers. Students participate in experiential learning through cooperative education in each year of the bachelor’s degree program. Students who wish to transfer credit to Cincinnati State for culinary coursework completed at another institution must meet with the Program Chair. Course transfer credit may be limited, based on program accreditation and student success in the previous culinary coursework.

Xavier's Bachelor of Arts degree (52 credit hours​) challenges students to create meaningful art that explores contemporary issues. An art degree is of special interest to students who desire to pursue beyond the other liberal arts disciplines and/or licensure for teaching pre-K through 12th grade art. Professional development of our students is promoted inside and outside of the classroom in all of our 11 areas of concentration.

Environmental science is the study of the impact of human systems on our natural environment and how in turn these natural systems affect the human environment. Whether it's studying global climate change or researching tropical deforestation, students in Xavier's program take steps toward solving environmental problems to help make the world a more sustainable place. Benefits of an Environmental Science Degree What is environmental science? Environmental science is the study of environmental processes, humans’ relationship to the environment and solutions to environmental issues. It is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, engineering, geography, geology, information systems, physics and social sciences. At the undergraduate level, environmental science programs focus on: Creating awareness for environmental problems at the local, national and global level Understanding the impacts of human activity and development on the environment Discovering sustainable ways of living Using natural resources effectively At the graduate level, environmental science curriculums allow students to study and research chosen areas of interest within the environmental science academic field.

Our trans-disciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare you for a future at the forefront of contemporary illustration.

The Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Land Surveying prepares students for work as professional surveyors and meets the educational requirements for surveyors in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Graduates also are prepared to take NCEES exams (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) that are required to obtain professional licensure in land surveying in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Bachelor’s degree coursework includes fundamental principles of civil engineering, construction, and site design, as well as skills required to operate state-of-the-art surveying equipment and computer software. In addition, students gain knowledge of boundary resolution, subdivision design, geographic information systems (GIS), and global positioning systems (GPS). Students participate in experiential learning through cooperative education in each year of the bachelor’s degree program. A surveyor enjoys diverse job responsibilities. Many surveyors work outside for surveying firms collecting data, establishing control points, and determining boundary locations. Others work inside at a surveying firm, a civil engineering office, or in an architecture firm, helping with site design activities and developing plans while using the field data. Surveyors may work on their own or with firms specializing in construction​, architecture, or engineering. Surveyors also work in the private industry or work for the public with responsibilities including planning and zoning, transportation, land development, forensics, boundary control, geomatics, or the law. Graduates of the bachelor’s degree program have the knowledge and skills needed to establish their own company or work for a larger firm as a land surveying technician, professional land surveyor, or survey director.

The Applied Graphic Communication major is for students seeking foundational skills appropriate for further study in the design field or for employment in areas of design support.

Develop your leadership skills with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership. This degree program is designed for adult students who want to prepare for leadership positions in organizational settings. The BA in Organizational Leadership, with minors in Business, Communication Studies, and Information Systems, can be completed fully online.

Political Science encompasses the study of political theories, processes and institutions alongside the practice of government and politics. Xavier's program is structured to give students a systematic view of the major fields of political science, including American government, comparative government, political theory and international relations. The program also provides students the opportunity to examine particular topics in depth through elective courses, as well as the chance to engage politics directly by participating in one of our department's political internship programs or engaging in a faculty-mentored undergraduate research project of their own.