Fine Arts and Humanities at West Texas A&M University

At Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities you will find excellence across all areas of the college, both in the graduate and undergraduate degree programs. All of the disciplines within the college provide student-centered learning environments dedicated to educating tomorrow’s leaders through innovative academic and co-curricular programs. The faculty members of the college are outstanding teachers, artists, and performers as well as experts in their respective disciplines.

• Department of Art, Theatre and Dance
• Department of Communication
• Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages
• Department of History
• School of Music
• Office of General Majors

Actors, artists, dancers, designers and theatre technicians are special people. Called to express ideas, images and emotions that others cannot see or understand, The college defines its existence in different terms and create expressions that can last for ages to come. If you hear the aforementioned call or have a passion for the visual or performing arts, then the West Texas A&M University department of art, theatre and dance is ready to be your home for a  degree in art, art education, dance, graphic design, musical theatre, studio art, theatre education, theatre performance or technical theatre.

As a first year student in art, theatre or dance, you will have immediate access to the department’s award-winning faculty; you will work in spacious and well-equipped facilities such as the brand new Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, and have opportunities to become immediately involved with productions and exhibits. In other words, the department does not have a “wait until you’re a sophomore” policy. Freshmen can audition for (and are frequently cast in) dance and theatre productions and freshmen art students start studio work their first semester.

Academically based and creatively charged, the various curricula of the department allows students the opportunity to understand their creative heritage, apply theoretical and analytical standards, and then create many expressions through individual assignments, group projects and of course public display or performance in the Mary Moody Northen Hall Art Gallery, the Branding Iron Theatre and the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre. The students and faculty even perform and display beyond the confines of the WTAMU campus and have won numerous regional, national and international awards. Finally, creativity is nothing without collaboration and in the department of art, theatre and dance you will always find willing partners in the academic and creative process: insightful advisers, experienced directors and choreographers, fellow artists, engaging instructors and students just like you, who are eager to create, accomplish and express.

UNDERGRADUATE Degree Programs

• Art
• Graphic Design
• Musical Theatre
• Studio Art
• Theatre

GRADUATE Degree Programs

• Art
• Studio Art

The Department of Communication is home to two undergraduate programs - communication studies and mass communication and a master’s program in communication.  If you are looking for an academic program that emphasizes connection between students, the community, and their studies, then communication is the best choice for you. With state-of-the-art facilities provided by the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, you will learn the basics of news writing, broadcasting, public relations, corporate communication and speech performance by creating and producing award-winning projects.  Through WT Leadership, a service learning course, you will have the opportunity to serve as college mentors for area high school students, helping them develop their leadership qualities.

Award winning student organizations (National Broadcasting Society, KWTS, Advertising and Public Relations Society, the Prairie, the Eternal Flame, WTAMU Forensics Team, Live Crew, National Student Advertising Competition Team, and the Panhandle Storytelling Guild) provide multiple opportunities for student involvement.  Graduates of our programs have excelled in careers in broadcasting, advertising, college teaching, legal affairs, public school education, youth ministry, public relations, political campaign directors, pharmaceutical sales, college recruiting, and business management. Communication faculty members not only excel in scholarly endeavors, but are also outstanding teachers who have been recognized as WTAMU Core Fellows or have been named Presidential Teaching Fellows.  Two of the Communication professors have won the highest teaching honor at WTAMU by being named Optimus Magister winners. Our classrooms are characterized by active learning and spirited discussions.

UNDERGRADUATE Degree Programs

• Mass Communication 

• Advertising/ Public Relations
• Broadcast Journalism
• Electronic Media

The Department of Communication is accredited by the American Communication Association.  As seniors, students create a website which showcases the projects and research completed during their time at WTAMU.  Our Buffalo Advertising Team finished fifth in National Student Advertising Competition in 2012. MCOM majors manage the campus radio station, KWTS and are members of Live Crew which broadcasts WTAMU football and basketball games.

• Communication Studies

What you wil learn

• Leadership skills
• Public speaking and presentational skills
• Research and analytical skills in rhetorical, qualitative and quantitative methods
• Theoretical perspectives about gender, culture, and communication
• Opportunity for applications of communication skills through internships
• Opportunity to participate in the WT Leadership mentoring program

GRADUATE Degree Programs

• Communication

Masters in Communication

There are many reasons to further your education, the college works with the students to ensure they receive the most out of their degree. College curriculum provides the flexibility for you to choose courses that fit your needs and interests. The program is 36 credit hours, taking most full-time students no more than two years to complete. Students may choose a thesis or non-thesis route. All students build a strong research and theoretical foundation while developing applicable skills within areas of study such as corporate communication, mass communication, cultural studies, rhetoric, public relations and performance.

Then philosophy and modern languages should be your choice. The department offers students many opportunities, and you may find yourself participating in a debate, diagramming sentences on the sidewalk, exploring archives at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, publishing your poetry or stories in the student journal Legacy or presenting your essay at the undergraduate research conference. The college is a young, dynamic faculty who are passionate about the subjects and teach passionately. For seven years running, at least one faculty member has won a teaching award, and we are continually getting better. Beyond providing sharp thinking skills and a broad understanding of life, the majors prepare students for a variety of post-college possibilities including graduate school, professional school and careers in diverse fields like writing, publishing, law, government, business and education. With a philosophy or modern languages degree, your possibilities are endless.

UNDERGRADUATE Degree Programs

• English
• Spanish

GRADUATE Degree Programs

• English

UNDERGRADUATE Degree Programs

• Music (with All-level Certification)
• Music (with Elective Studies in Business)
• Composition
• Music Therapy
• Performance

GRADUATE Degree Programs

• At a Glance, Application Steps
• Master of Arts
• Master of Music