One of more than 40 Art Institute schools in North America, the Art Institute of Charlotte offers accredited Bachelor of Arts and Associate's degrees in Applied Science; there are also certificate programs. Students choose from concentrations in interior design, fashion merchandising, graphic arts and media design. The school's aim is to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in their chosen fields. While many students commute from home, the school offers on-campus apartments through the residence life program.
The College of Arts and Architecture at Charlotte's University of North Carolina Campus awards Bachelor's degrees in fine arts and performing arts. Five academic departments, including a department of art and art history, offer courses in visual arts and arts education. Students at the college may take courses in other disciplines at the university while pursuing fine arts majors at the College of Arts and Architecture. The college's curriculum emphasizes core techniques while encouraging students to explore new methods and approaches.
Charlotte's premier independent urban university, John C. Smith offers accredited degrees in visual and performing arts through its College of Arts and Letters. The major consists of an interdisciplinary core curriculum that introduces students to all major art forms. Students then choose a concentration in graphic arts, studio arts or film. All visual arts majors must complete an internship with an arts organization in a field related to their concentration. Majors display their work in art shows and galleries throughout the college.
Queens University of Charlotte awards bachelor's degrees in the fine arts through its College of Arts and Sciences. Students can major or minor in art history, studio art, new media design or interior design. The art curriculum at Queens University provides students with technical ability as well as a contextual, historical understanding of art. Students will learn to critique art from a wide range of historical and technical artistic traditions in addition to creating their own works.