These emphases consist of minimally 60 credits. Most lower-level courses do not have prerequisites and are open to all students, although priority is given to visual arts majors. The IRC's student internship program provides advanced students with opportunities to work on actual 3-D animation projects and develop a portfolio of work. In coordination with the Shriver Center's cooperative education and internship program, advanced level visual arts majors are placed in internships at area firms and companies in design and production disciplines related to the student's field of study. The UMBC Fine Arts Gallery exhibits contemporary art by nationally known artists.
Students have the opportunity to exhibit their works in an annual juried exhibition.