Jacksonville University was founded in 1934 in downtown Jacksonville. In the 1950s, the school relocated to the Arlington area of Jacksonville and became a four-year coeducational institution. For students interested in studying visual arts, the department offers students a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) with majors in computer art and design, art or glass. Students can also obtain a bachelor of arts (BA) in art. Majors prepare students for entry into careers as professional artists, art educators or for further graduate study. The visual arts department has a visual arts annex containing drawing and painting studios, a glass facility, sculpture studios, ceramic studio, clay studio and two photography darkrooms. Students also have the advantage of an internship program to give them working experience.
The Art Institute of Jacksonville is a branch of Miami International University of Art and Design. The school opened in 2007 and offers a variety of art programs. Students considering studying design are able to obtain an associate of arts (AA) in graphic design and a BFA in graphic design. Students learn about design, color theory and typography and have the opportunity to develop skills in such areas as drawing, design and composition. The media arts faculty offers students a BFA in digital photography. Students are introduced to course topics such as photojournalism, lighting and location photography.
The Jacksonville campus of Keiser University is located in south Jacksonville. The university offers a detailed program in design and multimedia, in which students can obtain an AA degree. The program teaches students computer design skills and visual communication skills, with an emphasis on multimedia. Classes also feature information relevant to today's society, such as Web communication and video production. Students also learn page layout, advertising, multimedia, video editing, Web design and illustration using a variety of computer formats. Students are not required to have prior existing art or computer skills. Eighty credit hours are needed to complete the program, 56 of those in major courses.
The University of North Florida opened in 1972 and now has a student population of more than 16,000 students. The school has a department of art and design within its College of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in art studies can obtain a BA in art history, a program that covers topics such as Renaissance, baroque and modern European art. There is also a BA in studio art with concentrations in ceramics, painting/drawing and printmaking, or sculpture. Furthermore, a BFA is available in graphic design and digital media, photography and studio arts with the same concentrations as are available for the BA degree. Students successfully completing the program can go on to become practitioners, artists, teachers or consultants.