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Undergraduate Degree

Performance and Visual Studies Major

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Performance and Visual Studies program enhances students’ critical thinking, analytical abilities and writing skills. It equips students with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the performing and visual arts. Each student follows an individualized research path, developing specialized expertise. The program’s interdisciplinary coursework and the college’s rich performance schedule, including concerts, plays, gallery exhibitions and more, provides a broad foundation of knowledge to support their focus areas.

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Degree Overview

Our mission is to provide students with a rigorous academic and practical foundation in performance and visual studies, fostering an environment that encourages innovative research, artistic experimentation and critical engagement with cultural and social issues. We aim to produce graduates who are not only skilled practitioners and scholars but also culturally literate and socially responsible global citizens.

Areas of Emphasis

  • Art History
  • Cultural History
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Media Studies (Film, TV and Video Games)
  • Sound Studies

Applications Are Open Now

Applications are open for the spring and fall 2027 semesters! Incoming freshmen must submit their application for the spring 2027 semester through ApplyTexas or Common App by Oct. 15, 2026. For fall 2027, incoming freshmen must submit their application through ApplyTexas or Common App by Dec. 1, 2026. Click to learn more about our application process.

Curriculum

The curriculum combines history, theory and criticism, ensuring that students gain both breadth and depth of knowledge. Core courses cover key concepts in performance theory, visual culture and critical analysis, while electives allow students to explore specialized areas such as theatre, dance, film, digital media and visual arts. Interdisciplinary coursework and collaborative projects are integral to the program, reflecting the interconnected nature of the arts.

Research and Creative Practice

Students develop individualized research agendas, pursuing projects that reflect their unique interests and career goals. The program supports a wide range of methodologies, from traditional scholarly research to practice-based and applied research in the arts. Through hands-on experiences, students refine their craft and contribute to the broader field of performance and visual studies.

The four-year Performance and Visual Studies undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. Must make a grade of C or better on all major coursework.

Degree Plan | 2025-2026 Catalog

For more information, visit the Texas A&M Course Catalog.

For details on other courses, view the University Core Curriculum.

Year 1 30 credit hours

Fall Semester – 15 credit hours

Introduction to Performance Studies | PERF 101 | 3 credit hours
Survey of topics in the interdisciplinary field of performance studies, including forms of performance, performance in everyday life and performance in global and intercultural contexts; in-class performance exercises and discussions; major writing component.
American History | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Creative Arts | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Performance and Visual Studies Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 100-499, DCED 100-499, FILM 100-499, MSTC 100-499, MUSC 100-499, PERF 100-499, PVFA 100-499, THEA 100-499, VIST 100-499. Six hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Spring Semester – 15 credit hours

Introduction to Visual Studies | FILM 101/VIST 101 | 3 credit hours
Survey of topics in the interdisciplinary field of visual studies, including forms of art, media and architecture, and visual culture in global and intercultural contexts; application of visual studies methods and techniques to art, media and architecture; analysis of the visual in contemporary culture; in-class visual studies exercises and discussions.
Communication | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Mathematics | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Performance and Visual Studies Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 100-499, DCED 100-499, FILM 100-499, MSTC 100-499, MUSC 100-499, PERF 100-499, PVFA 100-499, THEA 100-499, VIST 100-499. Six hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Year 2 30 credit hours

Fall Semester – 15 credit hours

Government/Political Science | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Communications | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Global Arts | 3 credit hours

Select from FILM 215/GLST 215, PERF 156, PERF 301, PERF 325, MUSC 323, MUSC 324/ANTH 324, THEA 200

History of Performing and Visual Arts | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 149, ARTS 150, ARTS 329, ARTS 330, ARTS 341, ARTS 343, ARTS 345, ARTS 349, ARTS 350, COMM 360, DCED 201, FILM 299, MUSC 224, MUSC 225, MUSC 226, MSTC 150, PERF 310, PERF 311, PERF 312, THEA 281.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Spring Semester – 15 credit hours

Government/Political Science | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Life and Physical Sciences | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

History of Performing and Visual Arts | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 149, ARTS 150, ARTS 329, ARTS 330, ARTS 341, ARTS 343, ARTS 345, ARTS 349, ARTS 350, COMM 360, DCED 201, FILM 299, MUSC 224, MUSC 225, MUSC 226, MSTC 150, PERF 310, PERF 311, PERF 312, THEA 281.

Performance and Visual Studies Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 100-499, DCED 100-499, FILM 100-499, MSTC 100-499, MUSC 100-499, PERF 100-499, PVFA 100-499, THEA 100-499, VIST 100-499. 6 hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Year 3 30 credit hours

Fall Semester – 15 credit hours

Research Methods in Performance and Visual Studies | PERF 320 | 3 credit hours
Study and practice of research methods used in performance and visual studies; discussion of practical, ethical, and epistemological aspects of research.
American History | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Life and Physical Sciences | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Mathematics | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Seminar | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 339, FILM 399/PERF 399, FILM 417, FILM 469, FILM 470, FILM 481, PERF 450, PERF 451, PERF 452, PERF 453, PERF 454, PERF 455, PERF 456, PERF 457, PERF 460, PERF 461.

Spring Semester – 15 credit hours

Public Scholarship in Performance and Visual Studies | PERF 330 | 3 credit hours
Examination of the mediums and means through which scholars of the performing and visual arts engage diverse audiences; exploration of the ethics of public scholarship; survey of contemporary and historical presentational methods including performance, exhibition, installation, data visualization, criticism and more.
Language, Philosophy and Culture | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Life and Physical Sciences | 3 credit hours

Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.

Seminar | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 339, FILM 399/PERF 399, FILM 417, FILM 469, FILM 470, FILM 481, PERF 450, PERF 451, PERF 452, PERF 453, PERF 454, PERF 455, PERF 456, PERF 457, PERF 460, PERF 461.

General Elective

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Year 4 30 credit hours

Fall Semester – 15 credit hours

Performance and Visual Studies Studio | PERF 430 | 3 credit hours
Discussion and application of best practices and strategies for research project design and execution; design and development of a research project; advanced topics within Performance and Visual Studies.
Seminar | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 339, FILM 399/PERF 399, FILM 417, FILM 469, FILM 470, FILM 481, PERF 450, PERF 451, PERF 452, PERF 453, PERF 454, PERF 455, PERF 456, PERF 457, PERF 460, PERF 461.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Spring Semester – 15 credit hours

Capstone Seminar: Performance as Research | PERF 481 | 3 credit hours
Capstone senior project on an individually-chosen research topic, presentation of a performance or interdisciplinary project; major writing and oral communication components. Prerequisites: Performance and Visual Studies major; completion of all Performance and Visual Studies coursework or taken concurrently with this course; approval of instructor, advisor and department head.
Performance and Visual Studies Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from ARTS 100-499, DCED 100-499, FILM 100-499, MSTC 100-499, MUSC 100-499, PERF 100-499, PVFA 100-499, THEA 100-499, VIST 100-499. Six hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

General Elective |3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

General Elective | 3 credit hours

Select from any 100-499 course. Nine hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Career Opportunities

Performance and Visual Studies graduates are prepared for a range of careers, including:

  • Curator
  • Cultural Heritage Manager
  • Historic Preservationist
  • Content Creator
  • Cultural Policy Advisor
  • Grants Manager
  • Brand Strategist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • User Experience (UX) Designer
  • Cultural and Arts Organizations
  • Corporate Communications Specialist
  • Training and Development Manager
  • Arts Administrator
  • Art Critic
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Public Speaking Coach
  • Post-Graduate Studies

Faculty

Performance and Visual Studies faculty bring to the program their expertise in:

  • Music Composition
  • Ethnomusicology and Folklore
  • Performance Ethnography
  • Popular Music Studies
  • Religious Studies
  • Theatre Studies
  • Women’s Studies
  • Queer Theory
  • Critical Theory
  • Media History (Film, Television and Video Games)
  • Art History

Related Minors

All Minors

Film and Media Studies

The minor in film and media studies prepares students to think and write critically about film and media from multiple perspectives. The minor connects a student’s major field of study with an understanding of film’s cultural and social significance.

Performance Studies

The minor in performance studies cultivates an analytical perspective about the role and meaning of performance in global culture. Students widen their horizons through studying performance and the practice of performance itself.

AI in the Arts

This minor is designed to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence integration in artistic practice, equipping students with the skills to incorporate AI into visual arts, dance, theatre, interactive media and music. The program provides a comprehensive education on the use of AI tools, emphasizing critical decision-making, ethical considerations and the social implications of AI.

FAQ About the Performance and Visual Studies Degree

How will the program prepare me for a career?

There are many resources available to you at Texas A&M that can help you identify and prepare for your future career. The best resource is the TAMU Career Center, which houses several mentors experienced with Performance and Visual Studies majors.

How do I declare a major in Performance and Visual Studies?

To declare a major in Performance and Visual Studies, please contact your academic advisor.

How much does it cost to attend?

The cost to attend varies depending on a variety of factors, including semester of admission, student type, how many hours you take per semester, and rate type. Use the Texas A&M Tuition Calculator to get the best estimate of your tuition cost per semester.

Additional costs to consider include course materials, housing, meal plans, parking and fees.

What financial aid and scholarships are available to students?

Numerous scholarships and financial aid are available through Texas A&M University and the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts. Incoming freshmen applicants are considered for university scholarships through the ApplyTexas Application or the Coalition Application. Continuing students can apply for additional scholarships through the University Scholarship Application for Continuing Students. For more information about university scholarships, visit scholarships.tamu.edu.

Who can I go to with questions?

For more information about the B.A. in Performance and Visual Studies, please contact Dr. Patrick Sullivan at patricksullivan@tamu.edu.