At EMU, a Christian university like no other, students are learning to use art for social transformation, service within their community, to deepen their faith, and more.
Theater
As a theater student, you’ll act, direct and design productions, exploring your gifts and getting hands-on experience while unpacking the faith and social justice aspects of your work. Cast and crew regularly gather with professors for “faith roundtables” to discuss implications of plays, community response and more.
Art
If you’re a visual artist, you’ll work with professor Cyndi Gusler, creator of EMU’s trash fashion show, a runway show of innovative attire created entirely from cast-off materials. Highlighting sustainable styling and the choices we all make in life, the show went big years ago.
Music
Student music majors often combine traditional studies with other majors, like linking music with digital media for a career in sound design and movie scoring. Or you can weave music with peacebuilding to do conflict transformation through musical productions, or with nursing to do music therapy. 2012 graduate Charise Garber, now in med school,tailored her studies to fit her two passions, music and biology, and explored how the mind is influenced by music.
Digital media and photography
Digital media and photography majors learn digital imaging, photography, videography, motion graphics, design, audio and more in a thriving program that is one of the most popular in our university. You can intern on campus and all over the country. Student and graduate work has appeared in such outlets as Time Magazine, The New York Times, and The Hill (serving the U.S. Congress).
Language and literature
Mastery of language and appreciation of literature contribute to success in almost every walk of life. Perhaps you’ll write original poetry and fiction for Phoenix, EMU’s literary and visual arts journal, engage with notable authors visiting campus for the Writers Read author series, do a writing internship at a non-profit, or hone your language skills to bring change in cross-cultural settings all over the world.
Find meaningful work in your field
98% of EMU graduates are working, engaged in service or in further study within 12 months of graduation. Nearly 90% are employed within their field of study. Check out what two EMU arts alumni are doing now:
- Katie Goins Frewens, an EMU music grad, earned a doctorate of musical arts and now teaches middle school music to urban teens. While a student, she was the piano rehearsal accompanist for the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir and sang with Chamber Singers.
- Matt Pearson combined a theater major with Bible andmusic minors to prepare for his goal of becoming an ordained Methodist minister. While a student, Matt acted and directed in the majority of MainStage productions, founded an improv troupe still going strong today, and interned at Second City Improv in Chicago. He went on to earn a divinity degree, and in 2012 became a youth pastor in California.
Contact us
Start the conversation by requesting more info, scheduling a campus visit, talking with a professor or coach, or meeting your admissions counselor. See what life is really like at our Christian university like no other!