College of Fine Arts & Mass Communication
Administrative Officers
| Dean | Ronald Shields, Ph.D. wgray@shsu.edu; (936) 294-2771 |
| Associate Dean | Brian Miller, D.M.A. brianmiller@shsu.edu; (936) 294-1117 |
| Associate Dean | Wayne Barrett, D.M.A. wayne.barrett@shsu.edu; (936) 294-2773 |
| Department of Art | Michael Henderson, M.F.A., Chair mhenderson@shsu.edu; (936) 294-1318 |
| Department of Dance | Jennifer Pontius, M.F.A., Chair DNC_JKP@shsu.edu; (936) 294-1300 |
| Department of Mass Communication | Jean Bodon, Ph.D., Chair jxb034@shsu.edu; (936) 294-1419 |
| School of Music | Scott Plugge, D.M.A., Director mus_sdp@shsu.edu; (936) 294-2250 |
| Department of Theatre & Musical Theatre | Penelope Hasekoester, M.F.A., Chair drm_pah@shsu.edu; ; (936) 294-1330 |
Mission
The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication is housed in the award-winning James & Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center , which opened in the Fall of 2010. The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication combines the Departments of Art, Mass Communication, Theatre & Dance, and the School of Music - five outstanding departments - into one dynamic college that seeks to inspire, educate, and graduate creative artists and media professionals.
The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication is enthusiastic about embracing the future and incorporating state-of-the-art facilities with unique and cutting edge programming. Ranging from the traditional to the experimental, students can explore new frontiers in all their creative endeavors. From digital media to film to animation, broadcast journalism to public relations to graphic design, from choreography to composition to conducting, or from stage management to scene design to acting, students can find themselves at Sam Houston.
Academic Programs
The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication is comprised of 5 academic units:
- Department of Art
- Department of Dance
- Department of Mass Communication
- School of Music
- Department of Theatre & Musical Theatre
College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication Undergraduate Degrees
| Major | Degree(s) |
| Graphic Design | B.F.A. |
| Computer Animation | B.F.A. |
| Photography | B.F.A. |
| Studio Art (2D) | B.F.A. |
| Studio Art (3D) | B.F.A. |
| Art | B.A. |
| Dance | B.F.A. |
| Mass Communication (Multi-Platform Journalism) | B.A. |
| Mass Communication (Film) | B.A. |
| Mass Communication (Public Relations and Advertising) | B.A. |
| Mass Communication (Broadcast Production) | B.A. |
| Agricultural Communication (with Agricultural Sciences) | B.A. |
| Music | B.A. |
| Music with Specialization: All Level Certification Instrumental | B.M. |
| Music with Specialization: All Level Certification String | B.M. |
| Music with Specialization: All Level Certification Choral | B.M. |
| Music with Specialization: Instrumental Performance | B.M. |
| Music with Specialization: Vocal Performance | B.M. |
| Music with Specialization: Piano Performance | B.M. |
| Music with Specialization: Composition | B.M. |
| Music Therapy | B.M. |
| Musical Theatre | B.F.A. |
| Theatre (Emphasis in Acting and Directing) | B.F.A. |
| Theatre (Emphasis in Design and Technology) | B.F.A. |
| Theatre (Emphasis in Teaching Certification) | B.F.A. |
| Theatre (Emphasis in Theatre, Dance, and Music) | B.F.A. |
Highlights
- Faculty members in the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication have been recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise through awards, publications, presentations, and performances.
- The Musical Theatre program has been rated as a top 10 Musical Theatre program in the nation by Broadway Theatre Project.
- Departments in the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication annually host state and regional conferences, symposiums, and festivals.
- Over 200 fine arts events are scheduled on campus throughout the year, including art gallery exhibits, interdisciplinary musical theatre performances, dance performances, music concerts and recitals, and theatre productions.
