Hayden Library. Photo: Chris Devers.

Academic Departments

Majors, minors, concentrations, Master’s and PhD’s are possible in many arts subjects within the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Architecture and Planning.

Majors at MIT consist of a core of required subjects and a set of electives, and combine the study of basic principles with practical applications. The major course of study is designed to prepare students for careers in that field or for graduate study.

Minors are coherent programs of study providing significant experience in their disciplines. Minor fields are specified as part of the S.B. degree, thus giving recognition of focused work in a discipline outside the major course of study.

Hands playing a piano.
Music Department. Credit: Clarise Snyder.

HASS Requirement

The HASS Concentration offers students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the issues and methodologies in one area of Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences. All undergraduates must complete a HASS Concentration of 3-4 subjects (some fields require 3, some 4) where they will gain a sophisticated sense of the questions that characterize these fields of study.

SAA Ceramics. Credit: Jason Pastorello.
SAA Ceramics. Credit: Jason Pastorello.

MIT Arts Studios

The MIT Arts Studios (previously the Student Art Association) provides extra-academic, hands-on instruction and studio experience in the arts for all levels in a range of media. Priority registration is given to MIT undergraduate and graduate students, though all MIT affiliates may participate as space permits. Sign up to develop or refine your art in an open, hands-on, relaxed environment.