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Majors and Minors

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Start where you are. Go where you’re inspired.

Whether you’ve known your dream major for years or are still exploring your options, the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design offers the flexibility and support to help you grow. Our majors and minors let you dive deep into your passions, try something new, and create an academic experience that’s as individual and inspiring as you are.

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS
Graduate Programs
UNDERGRADUATE MINORS
CHANGE MAJORS/MINORS

Need help deciding on a major? Reach out and ask questions.

If you’re a current Hokie, you can schedule an appointment with an academic advisor through Navigate.

If you’re a prospective student and not sure what major or minor is for you, we encourage you to visit campus. We offer info sessions and tours that introduce new students to all majors in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. You can also schedule a tour through the School of Architecture or School of Design.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Explore our undergraduate majors

Interested in the college but undecided about a major? Consider the Explore AAD option to sample the breadth of the programs we offer before choosing a specific path.

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    Architecture

    Prepare to shape the built environment through a comprehensive program that is unique in terms of its breadth and incorporation of both creative and rational dimensions.

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    Art History

    Explore the global impact of visual culture across time and develop the critical thinking, visual literacy, and research skills essential for interpreting art within diverse historical, cultural, and political contexts.

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    Cinema

    Explore the evolution of cinema, its visual storytelling techniques, and its role in modern social and political movements, gaining practical experience in cinematography and filmmaking.

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    Consumer Studies

    Explore the relationships among consumers, businesses, and government, emphasizing the economic, social, and political forces that shape consumer experiences.

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    Creative Technologies

    Explore the dynamic intersection of art, design, and emerging technologies through hands-on learning and tools such as 3D animation, virtual and augmented reality, creative coding, and interactive installations.

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    Fashion Merchandising and Design

    Learn about apparel design, textiles, trend forecasting, retail management, and consumer behavior, gaining both aesthetic and analytical skills.

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    Graphic Design

    Prepare for an impactful career in today’s visually driven world by developing the skills to craft compelling messages through imagery, typography, and design systems.

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    Industrial Design

    Create meaningful, human-centered products and systems by developing full-scale prototypes, exploring materials and processes, and collaborating across disciplines.

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    Interior Design

    Shape environments and develop design systems that enhance human well-being, foster community, and promote environmental sustainability. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.

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    Landscape Architecture

    Learn how to design sustainable, resilient environments that enhance both human and ecological well-being across diverse communities. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.

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    Music

    Develop your skills through a dynamic and comprehensive program in the study and practice of music, blending performance, theory, history, and technology.

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    Property Management

    Prepare to address the complex and evolving challenges of managing residential and commercial properties while studying business principles and acquiring housing and real estate knowledge.

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    Residential Environments and Design

    Focus on the planning, design, and evaluation of interior spaces that enhance quality of life in residential settings, learning how to create functional and aesthetically pleasing environments.

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    Studio Art

    Prepare to engage with the world through visual expression by exploring a broad range of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography, while also integrating emerging technologies like 3D printing.

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    Theatre

    Gain practical experience and creative confidence by focusing on performance, design and technology, or a general track, all while engaging in hands-on production work and collaborative projects.

Find the right minor for your goals and interests

Minors in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design are a great way to explore a personal interest, build career skills, or complement your major. Our minors are open to all Virginia Tech students and offer flexible ways to customize your education.

Explore the AAD minors below and check out the university’s Pathways minors, transdisciplinary programs that allow students to study a variety of topics while completing general education requirements.