Students pose after creating a collage.

Arts in Health

Art can play a powerful role in the healing process. Through the undergraduate arts in health program, you can explore the role of the arts in health care settings and gain hands-on experience in this growing field.

Explore the Intersections of Arts and Health

Arts in health embraces the use of visual arts, dance and movement, music, literature and poetry, drama and theater to enhance the health and wellbeing for all individuals, regardless of age or ability.

The arts in health program is designed to explore the diverse, multi-disciplinary field of arts in health. You’ll learn about the history of the field, professional best practices, ethics and creative strategies to develop and facilitate arts programming within a broad range of health care and public health environments. The program includes community service-learning hours, providing you with invaluable experience working with a variety of populations. Pursue your passion for the arts and serve others with an arts in health minor or certificate in arts.           
                            

Degrees & Offerings

Arts in Health

Certificate
  Vermillion Main Campus and Online

The undergraduate arts in health (AIH) certificate is a 12 credit-hour online certificate program, with an on-site internship semester at a health care or public health organization. The program is designed to explore the diverse, multi-disciplinary field of arts in health, with curriculum covering history of the field, professional best practices, ethics and creative strategies to develop and facilitate arts programming. This certificate program is open to all majors, and no prerequisites are required to enroll in the first introductory course, Arts in Health.

Arts in Health

Minor
  Vermillion Main Campus and Online

The arts in health minor equips you to become a future professional by exploring how diverse art forms (visual arts, dance, music, literature, theatre, etc.) can be used to enhance health and well-being in healthcare and community settings. Through this program, you'll gain a strong foundation in the field's history, best practices, ethics and creative program development, all while enriching your existing major with the power of artistic expression for promoting health and wellness.

Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Department

Contact

Admissions

Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

Student Opportunities

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

This local chapter of a national graphic art organization collaborates with local businesses to create design projects, giving members hands-on experience in designing for real companies.

Join like-minded students in sharing the importance of art with the surrounding community. Previous SAA activities include hosting exhibitions, working with the Vermillion Area Arts Council on special projects and holding technical skills workshops.

Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in the only College of Fine Art in the state.
Students in an art gallery

Art

The Department of Art will provide you with unique and applicable real-world experience and connections that enable you to immerse yourself in an environment built for personal and creative discovery.

faculty and staff

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Department of Art. Our faculty are experts in their field, contributing research and scholarship in art education, the history of art, photography, sculpture and much more.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Cory Knedler

Cory Knedler

Chair-Art

Specialty

Art Education
Bio Image for Faculty Member John Banasiak

John Banasiak

Professor

Specialty

Photography
Bio Image for Faculty Member Young Ae Kim

Young Ae Kim

Professor

Specialty

Graphic Design, UX & UI, and Immersive Design
Bio Image for Faculty Member Christopher Meyer

Christopher Meyer

Associate Professor

Specialty

Sculpture
Bio Image for Faculty Member Michael Hook

Michael Hook

Professor

Specialty

Printmaking, Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media
Bio Image for Faculty Member Amber Hansen

Amber Hansen

Associate Professor

Specialty

Painting
Bio Image for Faculty Member James Quigley

James Quigley

Assistant Professor

Specialty

Graphic Design, letterpress printing
Bio Image for Faculty Member Erin Wohletz

Erin Wohletz

Assistant Professor

Specialty

Printmaking
Bio Image for Faculty Member Liz Heeren

Liz Heeren

Senior Lecturer

Specialty

Art Foundations, Painting
Bio Image for Faculty Member Carol Geu

Carol Geu

Senior Lecturer
 
Students studying.

Serving Communities

Through classroom and community service-learning hours, you will gain valuable skills working with a variety of health care and community populations, including but not limited to:

 

  • Healthcare Centers
  • Senior Living
  • Community Centers
  • Hospice
  • Accessibility Services
  • Military and Veteran Services
  • Prisons and Detention Centers

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