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Leah Bittner

“The SMSU RN to BSN Program does not have you take a set amount of credits each semester. This flexible scheduling was perfect for me as it allowed me to vary the amount of credits I took each semester. I would have struggled without that flexibility as I am a non-traditional student who is also a wife, mother of four, and worked full time while completing my degree. This program is designed to fit into your life, whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student.”

Leah Bittner, '22 Alum
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Fine Arts and Communication Department

Mission Statement

The Department of Fine Arts and Communication offers undergraduate programs in Art and Design, Communication Studies, Music, and Theatre.  The multi-disciplinary nature of the department allows for individual as well as collaborative educational initiatives.  Each program provides students with theoretical foundations, practical experience, and skills in both Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) and major-specific courses, preparing them for careers, leadership, and citizenship in the fine arts and communication fields.  Through their professional practice, faculty model artistic output, creative activity, and scholarly pursuits, which allow them to create environments where students get first-hand experiences in their academic disciplines.  The department offers all members of the university and local communities opportunities to engage in creative activities through performance and exhibition.  These same activities provide cultural enrichment for local, regional, and national audiences. 

Southwest Minnesota State students taking courses within this department are able to major in the following areas:

  • Art (with emphases in Studio Art and/or Graphic Design)
  • Art Education
  • Music (with emphases in Instrumental Performances, Vocal Performance, Piano Performance & Pedagogy, Theory/Composition, Management, and Music in the Liberal Arts)
  • Music Education (Vocal/General Music and/or Instrumental/General Music)
  • Communication Studies
  • Public Relations
  • Broadcast and Digital Media
  • Communication Arts and Literature Education, Communication Studies
  • Theatre Arts

Minors are available in:

  • Advertising Design Communication
  • Graphic Design
  • Studio Arts
  • Music
  • Communication Studies
  • Digital Media Design
  • Filmmaking
  • Health Communication
  • Public Relations
  • Theatre Arts
  • Acting/Directing
  • Design/Technical Theatre
A certificate is available in:
  • Health Communication

To learn more about each of these areas please link to specific subject area in which you are interested.

Department Information

The department of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Art and Design, Communication Studies, Music, and Theatre programs.  The department chair is Dr. John Ginocchio. 

Fine Arts and Communication
FA 207
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State Street * Marshall, MN. 56258
Office:  (507) 537-7103
Email: FineArtsCommunication@smsu.edu

Last Modified: 7/10/24 11:37 AM | Website Feedback