Potential Ironton art students won’t have to go far for their education.

Beginning in the September quarter, Ohio University Southern will offer a four-year bachelor of arts degree in studio art.

“I do believe there are students who are still interested in a career in art,” said Thomas Suter, interim director of art at OUS. “There’s always going to be a demand for arts degrees especially in new media.”

In the past, the campus has offered basic courses in studio art.

“We’ve never had a degree for studio art, just the first and second year courses,” Suter, said. “We had the 100 and 200 level courses in the past so that the students could transfer to (OU main campus in) Athens.”

The degree will feature classes in graphic design and new media.

“Since we’re offering the design sequence and the new media we believe the students will find work in the multimedia field and in studio art,” Suter said.

Students will have the foundational courses in studio art before learning digital art, he said.

“I believe we have a really good balance between the new media and the studio art,” Suter said.

The campus has the facility, staff and student interest in place for the degree, Suter said.

“We definitely have qualified professionals with (master of fine arts) terminal degrees.”

Suter said that so far about 25 students have enrolled in the program.

The four-year degree could also be used as a foundation for them to complete the master of fine arts degree at the Athens campus.

Questions concerning the program and requirements can be directed to Suter at 740- 533-4565 or suter@ohio.edu.

More information can be found at www.southern.ohiou.edu/art.