800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Ala. 35229

Samford University School of Arts was approved by Samford's trustees on a recommendation that the art department, which consisted of fine arts and Graphic Design, move from the college of arts and sciences and combine with the school of performing arts. This restructuring is a part of Samford's long term plans to create an environment that promotes the arts. Samford also offers a new minor in dance and a master's degree of music in piano performance and pedagogy.

Samford University School of Arts confers bachelor's and master's degrees in the division of music, theater, and visual arts. Samford offers bachelor of music degrees in voice performance, piano performance, piano performance with emphasis in piano pedagogy, organ performance, instrumental performance, church music, music education, theory/composition, and musical theater as well as a bachelor of arts degree in music and a bachelor of science in music for students planning to attend medical school with strong interests and skills in music. Samford also offers a a variety of other bachelor's and master's degrees in music, theater, and fine arts.

Quick Facts

The dean of Samford University School of Arts is Dr. Joseph Hopkins.

The student body consists of 100 visual arts major and minors, 75 music majors and minors, and 39 theater majors and minors.

There are nine visual art faculty members, 40 division of music faculty members, and six theater faculty members. The average class size is 14.

The school is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Council Association of Teacher Education, the Southern Association of College and Schools, and State of Alabama Board of Education.

The School of Arts faculty has received university-wide teaching awards including the John H. Buchanan Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching and the George Macon Memorial Award. The arts professors are renowned for their papers and compositions presented at regional conferences in addition to being guest composers and adjudicators in high school competitions and having their artwork displayed in galleries throughout the nation.

Samford School of Arts students have performed exceptionally well at regional arts competitions. Accomplishments include state awards in graphic design and scholarships at the Birmingham Advertising Federation ADDY awards. Voice students have led the state in the National Association of Schools Teaching competition. Theater students have led the state in the percentage of students advancing from Alabama preliminaries to the Southeastern Theater Conference.

The schools facilities include Harrison Theater and Jane Brock Recital. There are 13 theater productions held each year.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.