The Certificate in Sacred Arts

To train undergraduate students to discern and generate beauty in the field of the Sacred Arts of the Orthodox Christian Church.

Program Learning Outcomes

PLO 1: Students will discern and generate beauty in the field of the Sacred Arts of the Orthodox Christian Church.

PLO 2: Students will develop a foundational ability in the visual arts.

PLO 3: Students will connect the Orthodox theology of beauty and art with the historical practice of Orthodox Christian sacred arts.

Course Requirements

A 12-credit hour Certificate in Sacred Arts, including:

  • Four (4) hands-on fine arts courses, each weighted at 1.5 academic credits = 6 credits
  • Byzantine Art & Architecture* = 3 credits
  • Theology of Icons* = 3 credits

*Students may substitute other Byzantine Art-related electives for either of the above 3 credit courses.

Course Selections

Drawing I: Foundations 1.5 Credits
Drawing II: Advanced 1.5 Credits
Painting I: Foundations 1.5 Credits
Painting II: Advanced 1.5 Credits
Iconography I 1.5 Credits
Iconography II 1.5 Credits
Introduction to Calligraphy 1.5 Credits
Sculpture: 3-D Fundamentals 1.5 Credits
The Theology of Icons 3.0 Credits
Byzantine Art & Architecture 3.0 Credits

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Certificate in Sacred Arts aligns with the mission for Hellenic College:

The certificate advances the mission of Hellenic College by fostering a community of creators interested in the culture of the Orthodox Church. The discipline taught by the pursuit of artistic skill also promotes moral development. All of this in turn advances one of the Five Pillars of our Core Curriculum, by promoting the appreciation of beauty and aesthetics.

Specific Job-Related Knowledge & Skills

  • Our current students seek art-related skills. Three of our recent graduates just opened an iconography studio. Other recent grads are involved in publishing, fashion design, and illustration.
  • Lay and ordained leaders in the Church are frequently consulted about church beautification projects
  • An eye for the beautiful is crucial in our world of visual communication via social media and on the internet. This skill will help any employee with their marketing abilities.
  • Some student might use this a bridge to a career in graphic arts or design

Museum Partnerships

All members of HCHC have free access to these museums with the use of their ID cards whether for personal or class use. Please reach out to the Office of Student Life for more details. These museum partnerships provide rich historical and cultural context to inform our campus life. This aesthetic of beauty aligns with one of our Foundations Forward Core program goals that our students will both discern and generate beauty, whether in art, music, literature, theology, or intellectual conversation, and recognize beauty’s importance within a well-ordered life.

Apply Now