Welcome to the School of Arts and Humanities!
With an established reputation for excellence in teaching and research, Buffalo State College's School of Arts and Humanities is also widely recognized for innovation and leadership in creative expression.
Distinctive Features of Arts and Humanities
Exceptional Preparation Beyond the Classroom
The strength of a liberal arts education blended with state-of-the-art professional curricula prepares students for success after graduation. We expand learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.
- We are award-winning national leaders in undergraduate research, encouraging students to pursue individualized projects with faculty experts.
- Through our service-learning program, we link courses with community service.
- Innovative internships in regional and national organizations result from our faculty's reputations and their connections with leading professional partners.
- The Entrepreneurship in the Arts Certificate program and UNC111: Career Planning in Theory and Practice are two of many career exploration opportunities for A&H students.
- Student organizations in nearly every department connect students with common interests.
- Visiting artists and scholars inspire students to define and achieve their dreams.
Faculty Specialists
The greatest resource for students is the A&H faculty, teacher/scholars renowned for their ability to guide and inspire. Widely respected for their research, publications, exhibitions, and performances in diverse disciplines, they also are known for their nurturing, individualized attention to students' intellectual development.
International Experiences
Students are encouraged to enhance global understanding through travel abroad. The Siena Program, established more than 50 years ago by Buffalo State, is the A&H hallmark program for semester-long study abroad. Short-term course-related travel in Europe and Asia led by A&H faculty includes interior design, dance, art history, English, modern and classical languages, visual arts, theater and communication. Many SUNY international programs also are available. See the International Education site for more information.
Location on Buffalo’s Cultural Corridor
Located just across the street is the Burchfield Penney Art Center, our campus art museum, as well as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, providing our students with convenient access to curricular enrichment. In addition to our multiple collaborations with the Burchfield Penney, A&H has established unique partnerships with the Buffalo Philharmonic and theaters and art galleries throughout the region.
Remarkable Facilities
The new Ciminelli Recital Hall and expanded art conservation laboratories in Rockwell Hall opened in November 2012. The $47 million total renovation of Upton Hall for the visual arts and theater is being planned with architectural specialists. Continually updated studios, theaters, computer labs and equipment contribute to our students’ academic and professional success.
Career Development
A&H encourages students to explore career opportunities that combine their liberal arts education with their specialized skills and talents. Offerings include the Entrepreneurship in the Arts Certificate program; UNC111:Career Planning in Theory and Practice; and departmental internships, seminars, workshops and visiting scholar/artists. The Career Development Center provides multifaceted assistance.
National Accreditations
All A&H programs for which accreditation is available have achieved accredited status by the nation’s premiere accrediting agencies.
- Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) – Communication Department
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) – Modern and Classical Languages Department
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation – Interior Design Department
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) – all programs in our five visual arts departments: Art Conservation, Art Education, Design, Fine Arts and Interior Design
- National Association of Schools of Music – Music Department
- National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST) – Theater Department
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) – all A&H education programs: Art Education, English Education, French and Spanish Education and Music Education.
Motivation for Success
From the stage to the classroom, School of Arts and Humanities programs instill students with a passion for life-long learning, a foundation for critical thinking, artistic inventiveness, and cultural awareness, that lasts a lifetime. These invaluable skills serve our graduates well in career fields that are as vast and varied as our course selection.
Departments and Programs
Please select the department of your choice to learn more about the opportunities you can explore in the School of Arts and Humanities.