According to Transworld Education, some peopling pursuing an art degree intend to pursue other professional goals, but they study art because they like the subject matter. Art as a liberal art normally grants the recipient a Bachelor of Arts degree. Like all liberal arts, the degree helps students develop critical thinking, communication and reasoning skills. It may prepare the student for a career in art, but it also prepares them for law school or jobs in the private sector, which require the skills that a liberal arts education brings.
On the other hand, students who pursue art as a fine art very often do so in order to prepare for a career in art. This degree is the Bachelor or Master's of Fine Art. The difference between this degree and the Bachelor of Arts is that the artist spends much more time in the studio creating art. These artists intend to make art full time. Because these artists pursue art with the intention of being artists, they sometimes get flack about their future goals. Competition in the art world exists certainly, but according to Transworld Education artists pursuing this type of degree can take steps to better ensure future employment, including taking classes in business or marketing. These skills will help them when they become self-employed artists.
Some people major in art because they want to work in a related field like curating, conservation, museum or gallery public relations, or as a writer and critic specializing in art. Like those who work as artists, these art professionals also face tough competition for jobs. Additionally, because so many of these jobs exist in the non-profit sector, those who do find jobs do not necessarily get paid well.
Some aspiring art professionals pursue a degree in art or art history in order to teach at the high school or college level. People wishing to teach fine art must usually obtain a Master of Fine Arts in a field such as painting, drawing, film or sculpture. Those whose interests lay more with art history must pursue their degrees to the Ph.D. level. Usually these professionals specialize in a type or period of art and often study archeology as well if their interests include subjects such as ancient Greece or Egypt.
Art therapy has gained popularity as a therapy method and utilizes art in the therapy process. Art therapists train in both art and psychology at the undergraduate level, and many receive degrees in art. To work in the field, they must receive at least a Master's in Art Therapy before going on to become therapists. These art professionals are very often practicing artists in their own right, in addition to being counseling professionals.