The School of Performing and Visual Arts houses undergraduate programs in art, graphic design, painting and drawing, sculpture, dance performance and choreography, dance education, theatre, theatre performance, and theatre design and technology. Graduate program are offered in theatre performance, theatre design and technology, and directing. The school produces exhibitions and performances throughout the year, and students are highly engaged in practice in the arts.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art  & Design, the National Association of Schools of Dance, and the National Association of Schools of Theatre.