The BFA degree prepares students for professional practices and is recommended for students who plan to attend graduate school. The BFA degree provides a solid foundation in techniques and theory in focused areas of competence. The School affirms that a theoretical and working understanding of the historical meanings and studio applications of the human image are critical in the education of Visual Art and Art History students.
As part of the program, some courses study the form and proportion of the human figure. Nude models are used as reference.
Admission Requirements
- All students must successfully pass the Studio Art Portfolio review (ART 3950).
- Students must complete one upper level course in their specialization before submitting the Studio Art BFA Application and Mentor Agreement.
- The School faculty in a student's area of specialization evaluates students desiring to become Studio Art BFA majors via interviews and a review of their body of work. During matriculation towards the BFA faculty will evaluate their work and decide whether or not the student may continue in the program. All Studio Art BFA students are accepted on a "Provisional" status their first semester.
- Students who are not admitted into the Studio Art BFA program will continue in the Art BA, Studio track and may repeat the Studio Art BFA application process.
- Once admitted into the Studio Art BFA program students are required to be supervised by their specialization faculty mentor within the discipline for a minimum of two semesters.
- Students who do not pass the Studio Art Portfolio review should meet with an SVAD Advisor to discuss their options.
- C-" (1. 75) or below grades from other institutions do not meet departmental requirements.
- Note: One-on-one portfolio reviews are not possible due to the large number of received portfolios.
Degree Requirements
- Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
- Departmental Residency Requirement consists of at least 18 semester hours of regularly scheduled 3000-4000 level courses taken from the School of Visual Arts and Design. Nine of these must be in an area of specialization.
- Students must earn at least a "C" (2.0) in each required course used to satisfy major requirements; however a GPA of 3.0 or higher must be achieved in the major requirements.
- Co-op credit cannot be used in the major.
- Students should consult with their SVAD advisor and faculty mentor studio specialization each semester.
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements: Basic Level
6 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- ARH2500 - History of Non-Western Art (3)
- ART2823 - Art as Interface (3)
Core Requirements: Advanced Level
3 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- ART3950 - Studio Art Portfolio
- ARH3471 - Art in the Last 25 Years (3)
Restricted Electives
42 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 42 credits from the following types of courses: A list of approved restricted elective courses is found in the myKnight audit.
- At least three courses must be 4XXX-level Studio Art courses.
Specialization Electives
18 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
- Select six upper level (3XXX/4XXX) courses from one area.
- For combined specializations, student must complete courses in both areas.
Advanced Design/Sculpture Combination- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
- ART4945C - Advanced Design Lab (3)
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
- ART3709C - Intermediate Sculpture (3)
- ART3737C - Narrative Sculpture (3)
- ART3738C - Mold Making and Casting (3)
- ART3951C - Design Intensive (3)
- ART4710C - Advanced Sculpture (3)
- ART3734C - Metal Sculpture (3)
- May be repeated for credit: ART 4710C, ART 4945C
Book Arts- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- ART3170C - Book Binding (3)
- ART3171C - Materials for Artist Books (3)
- ART3175C - Advanced Issues in Contemporary Book Arts (3)
- ART3176C - The Illuminated Book (3)
- ART3737C - Narrative Sculpture (3)
- ART4174C - The Printed Book (3)
- ART4177C - Commercial Book Design and Publishing (3)
- ART4644C - Books Without Books (3)
- ART4173C - Advanced Artist Book (3)
- May be repeated for credit : ART 4173C
Ceramics/Sculpture Combination- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- ART3761C - Intermediate Ceramics (3)
- ART3764C - Ceramic Handbuilding I (3)
- ART4765C - Ceramic Handbuilding II (3)
- ART4780C - Kiln Design and Building (3)
- ART4783C - Advanced Ceramics (3)
- ART4786C - Ceramic Raw Material (3)
- ART3709C - Intermediate Sculpture (3)
- ART3734C - Metal Sculpture (3)
- ART3738C - Mold Making and Casting (3)
- ART3768C - Clay Sculpture (3)
- ART3713C - Figure Sculpture (3)
- ART4710C - Advanced Sculpture (3)
- ART3161 - Mixed Media (3)
- ART3833C - Processes and Ideas in Art (3)
- May be repeated for credit : ART 4783C, ART 4710C
Drawing- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- ART3332C - Intermediate Drawing (3)
- ART4320C - Advanced Drawing (3)
- May be repeated for credit : ART 4320C
Drawing/Printmaking Combination- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- ART3332C - Intermediate Drawing (3)
- ART4320C - Advanced Drawing (3)
- ART3403C - Intermediate Printmaking (3)
- ART4402C - Advanced Printmaking (3)
- ART3433C - Screen Printing (3)
- May be repeated for credit : ART 4320C, ART 4402C
Drawing/Illustration Combination- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- ART3332C - Intermediate Drawing (3)
- ART4320C - Advanced Drawing (3)
- GRA3747C - Intermediate Illustration I (3)
- GRA4154C - Advanced Illustration (3)
- May be repeated for credit : ART 4320C, GRA 4154C
Drawing/Painting Combination- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- ART3332C - Intermediate Drawing (3)
- ART4320C - Advanced Drawing (3)
- ART3504C - Intermediate Painting (3)
- ART3562C - Observational Painting (3)
- ART3561C - Experimental Painting (3)
- ART4505C - Advanced Painting (3)
- May be repeated for credit : ART 4320C, ART 4505C
Painting- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- ART3504C - Intermediate Painting (3)
- ART3561C - Experimental Painting (3)
- ART4505C - Advanced Painting (3)
- ART3562C - Observational Painting (3)
- May be repeated for credit : ART 4505C
Photography- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
- PGY3204C - Experimental Studio Lighting in Photography (3)
- PGY3933C - The Photo-book (3)
- PGY3407C - Film and Darkroom (3)
- PGY3410C - Intermediate Photography (3)
- PGY3412C - Photography in the Expanded Field (3)
- PGY4106C - Photography Theory and Practice (3)
- PGY4420C - Advanced Photography (3)
- PGY4440C - Special Problems in Photography (3)
- May be repeated for credit : PGY 4106C, PGY 4420C, PGY 4440C
Outside of Specialization Electives - Studio Art
15 Total Credits
- Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: Select five upper level (3XXX/4XXX) Studio Art courses. Select from at least three of the following areas, excluding the area of specialization: Advanced Design, Book Arts, Ceramics, Drawing, Illustration, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Special Topics Studio Courses. May include a maximum of six hours Independent Study, Practicum, and Internship.
Art History Electives
9 Total Credits
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following types of courses: Select three upper level (3XXX/4XXX) Art History courses.
Capstone Requirements
3 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- ART4935 - BFA Exhibit/Seminar (3)
Electives
3 Total Credits
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Select an additional course. May be outside of the department.
Grand Total Credits: 99