Visual Studies BA Degree
Build your own degree and design your future at Ringling College of Art and Design. Our Visual Studies major allows students to self-direct their curriculum and focus on specific areas of study. Our Visual Studies degree is one-of-a-kind and personally tailored to offer maximum flexibility and exploration. Today’s world requires nimble thinking. Learn to approach problems from different perspectives, build advanced problem-solving skills, explore the creative process, conduct critical analysis, and communicate ideas clearly and effectively. Study up to three minors while still receiving a top-quality liberal arts education paired with studio courses. 
Visual Studies
Forge your future in this self-directed BA program.
View Student Work
Bridging Disciplines and Media
Visual Studies students bridge disciplines and media, exploring two- and three-dimensional work, writing, and time-based media.
Opportunities for Visual Studies students
The BA in Visual Studies program is founded on choice. As a student of this major you can select a series of minors as your course of study and customize your learning experience. Visual Studies is designed to allow for flexibility, independent curriculum selection and choice. We emphasize breath of experience and encourage exploration.
The new, architecturally significant Richard & Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center sits at the center of campus, reminding everyone that, irrespective of major, our students are artists first and foremost. Created with both our students and community in mind, the Visual Arts Center was designed and built to accommodate hands-on fabrication and artmaking with its facilities for glass, woodworking, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and digital fabrication as well as time-based and computer driven work. While the exterior is visually stunning, the interior is designed for robust use—maximizing space, equipment, and collaboration.
The Collaboratory
We are proud to say that every Ringling student, regardless of major, is guaranteed the opportunity to gain professional work experience. Our Collaboratory Commitment pairs teams of Ringling students with local businesses to give students a taste of real-world projects, expectations, and deadlines. Facilitated by Collaboratory staff, students will meet with clients looking for creative, unconventional solutions to their branding and design challenges and execute the entire creative process of concepting, presenting, and building campaigns that meet their demands.
Studio Lab
The Ringling College Digital Filmmaking Studio Lab program connects aspiring film and production students to the best known filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, directors, and actors from around the world. Collaborate with, listen to, and engage with the leading filmmakers in the industry who are coming to Ringling College to share their insights and meet emerging talent right here in Sarasota.
See career opportunities on our career support page.
Contact Us
We're happy to answer any questions you may have, just send us an email at the addresses below.
Admissions Questions (applying, portfolio, transfers, deadlines, events)
admissions@ringling.edu
General Questions
info@ringling.edu
Media Inquiries
(contact, releases, news)
Accessibility Inquiries
communications@ringling.edu