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Programs

At the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA), students don’t just study creativity, they live it every day in a city that moves to its own rhythm. With Memphis as both classroom and inspiration, our diverse curriculum cultivates creativity, critical thinking, and professional expertise across disciplines such as art, communication, design, dance, journalism, film, music, strategic media, architecture, and theatre. Our programs combine hands-on experiences with academic rigor, encouraging innovation and collaboration across fields. Whether you're capturing stories through film, performing on stage, designing for impact, or creating visual art that challenges conventions, you’ll be guided by dedicated faculty and supported by outstanding facilities. CCFA at the University of Memphis empowers students to thrive in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the cultural life of Memphis and beyond.


Discover Your Path

Explore the full breadth of academic opportunities at the CCFA through our undergraduate and graduate catalogs. Shaped by the creative energy of Memphis, these comprehensive guides provide an in-depth look at our diverse degree programs, outlining course requirements, curriculum structure, and key learning outcomes. Whether you are charting your academic journey or deepening your expertise, the catalogs offer a roadmap to the innovative, hands-on education that defines CCFA and reflects the spirit of the city we call home.

Undergraduate Catalog > Graduate Catalog >

 

Architecture

Embark on a captivating exploration of architectural innovation.
Designing the future begins with the spaces we shape today. Memphis offers a rich context where architecture becomes more than structure; it becomes a dialogue with history, innovation, and community. Architecture is the art and science of designing spaces that balance function, aesthetics, and sustainability. It is a compelling field for those who want to address social needs through design. At the University of Memphis, students use the city as a living classroom, gaining real-world experience that prepares them to make lasting contributions to communities.

Architecture

Studying Architecture and Interior Architecture opens doors to a wide range of careers in the built environment, arts, and creative industries. With a focus on spatial design, sustainable systems, and human-centered environments, students gain strong conceptual, technical, and collaborative skills that prepare them for professional practice. 

Programs of Study:

  • Architecture, (B.F.A.)
  • Interior Architecture, (B.F.A.)

Possible career paths include:

  • Architect (with licensure)
  • Interior Designer
  • Urban Planner
  • Historic Preservation Specialist
  • Architectural Technologist
  • Environmental or Resiliency Designer
  • Design Project Manager
  • Construction Administrator
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM) Specialist

These fields offer opportunities to shape how people experience space. From homes and public buildings to entire communities, graduates are equipped to lead in advancing innovation, sustainability, and cultural meaning in the environments we create.

  • Architecture, (Accelerated B.F.A./M.Arch.)

  • Architecture, (M.Arch.)

Art and Design

Unleash your creativity and discover endless possibilities.
Creative discovery thrives in places where culture runs deep. With a strong visual arts scene and a history of bold expression, the Memphis environment encourages students to explore art and design as powerful tools for communication. This field invites students to develop their imagination, sharpen their critical thinking, and communicate visually in ways that influence culture and innovation. At the University of Memphis, students learn in a vibrant creative community where their work is shaped by both tradition and contemporary practice.

Art and Design

  • Art Education Concentration, (B.F.A.)
  • Fashion Design Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Fashion Merchandising Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Global Art Histories Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Graphic Design Concentration, (B.F.A.)
  • Photography Concentration, (B.F.A.)
  • Studio Arts Concentration, (B.F.A.)
  • Visual Arts Concentration, (B.A.)

  • Art History Minor
  • Fashion Design Minor
  • Fashion Merchandising Minor
  • Graphic Design Minor
  • Photography Minor
  • Studio Arts Minor
  • Web Design Minor

  • Graphic Design, (Accelerated B.F.A./M.F.A.)

  • African American - African Diaspora Art Histories, (M.A.)
  • African American and African Diaspora Art Histories Concentration with Museum Studies Certificate (M.A.)
  • Ceramics Concentration, (M.F.A.)
  • Egyptian Art and Archaeology, (M.A.)
  • General Art History, (M.A.)
  • Graphic Design Concentration, (M.F.A.)
  • Museum Practices, (M.A.)
  • Painting Concentration, (M.F.A.)
  • Printmaking/Photography Concentration, (M.F.A.)
  • Sculpture Concentration, (M.F.A.)

  • Museum Studies Certificate

Communication and Film

Discover the captivating world where stories unfold and connections are made.
Every city has a story, but few tell it like Memphis. Communication and film bring together the study and practice of storytelling, visual language, and the exchange of ideas across media. This field is ideal for students interested in exploring how narratives shape culture and influence society. At the University of Memphis, students build skills in media strategy, production, and storytelling while engaging with creative industries and diverse communities.

Communication and Film

  • Communication Studies Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Film and Video Production Concentration, (B.A.)

  • Communication Minor

  • Communication, (Accelerated B.A./M.A.)

  • Communication, (M.A.)
  • Communication, (Ph.D.)

  • Health Communication Certificate

Journalism and Strategic Media

Embark on an enlightening journey where every story told holds the potential to shape the world.
Strong journalism starts with a commitment to truth and community. In Memphis, a city built on stories of change and resilience, journalism and strategic media provide students with the tools to investigate, report, and inform across platforms. This essential field equips students to shape public understanding and engage with complex issues through ethical reporting and strategic communication. At the University of Memphis, students work with faculty and professionals to build careers that serve both local and global audiences.

Journalism and Strategic Media

  • Advertising Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Broadcast Journalism Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Creative Mass Media Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Integrated Social Media Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Journalism (B.A.)
  • Public Relations Concentration, (B.A.)
  • Sports Media Concentration, (B.A.)

  • Advertising Minor
  • Creative Mass Media Minor
  • Journalism Minor
  • Public Relations Minor
  • Social Media Minor

  • Journalism, (Accelerated B.A./M.A.)
  • Strategic Media, (Accelerated B.A./M.A.)

  • Journalism and Strategic Media (M.A.)
  • Mass Media Research Concentration, (M.A.)
  • Open-Source Investigative Reporting Concentration, (M.A.)

  • Entrepreneurial Media Certificate
  • Multimedia Storytelling Certificate
  • Social Media Analysis and Strategy Certificate

Music

Unleash the transformative power of sound.
The sound of Memphis is known around the world. As a global music capital, the city offers an extraordinary backdrop for students pursuing music as a form of personal expression and cultural connection. Music is the art of organizing sound and rhythm to evoke emotion and communicate ideas. At the University of Memphis, students explore performance, composition, musicology, and music education while learning from world-class faculty and participating in the city’s dynamic musical ecosystem.

Music

  • Commercial Music Performance Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Composition Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Jazz and Studio Composition/Arranging Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Jazz and Studio Performance Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Music, (B.A.)
  • Music Business Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Music Education (Choral) Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Music Education (Instrumental) Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Music History Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Music Therapy Concentration, (B.M)
  • Performance Concentration, (B.M.)
  • Recording Technology Concentration, (B.M.)

  • Music Industry Minor
  • Music Minor

  • Composition Concentration, (D.M.A.)
  • Composition Concentration, (M.Mu.)
  • Conducting Concentration, (D.M.A.)
  • Conducting Concentration, (M.Mu.)
  • Jazz and Studio Music Concentration, (M.Mu.)
  • Music Education Concentration, (M.Mu.)
  • Music Education Concentration, (Ph.D.)
  • Musicology Concentration, (M.Mu.)
  • Musicology Concentration, (Ph.D.)
  • Orff-Schulwerk Concentration, (M.Mu.)
  • Pedagogy Concentration, (M.Mu.)
  • Performance Concentration, (D.M.A.)
  • Performance Concentration, (M.Mu.)

  • Artist Diploma Certificate
  • Early Music Certificate
  • Vocology Certificate

Theatre and Dance

Experience the magic of storytelling through movement.
Performance creates space for connection, reflection, and transformation. In Memphis, where creativity lives on every stage, theatre and dance provide opportunities to explore human experiences through movement and storytelling. This collaborative field helps students build empathy, refine artistic expression, and develop physical communication skills. At the University of Memphis, students engage with a thriving performance culture that links creative work to community engagement and cultural understanding.

Theatre and Dance

  • Dance Concentration, (B.F.A.)
  • Dance Science Concentration, (B.F.A)
  • Design and Technical Production Concentration, (B.F.A.)
  • Musical Theatre Concentration, (B.F.A.)
  • Performance Concentration, (B.F.A.)

  • Dance Minor
  • Theatre Minor

  • Design and Technical Production Concentration, (M.F.A.)
  • Directing Concentration, (M.F.A.)

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