degrees
The department offers two undergraduate programs of study, the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The University also offers a master's degree in studio art, the Master of Fine Arts.
Bachelor of Arts Degree transfer students should confer with the chairperson of the department prior to entrance for information concerning entrance requirements and transfer credits.
Note: Students interested in studying in the Visual Design area, or other areas in the Art Department, will receive a degree in "Art," (BFA or even BA) with an "emphasis" in that area, such as Visual Design. At this point, we do not offer a "Graphic Design degree" or a "Visual Design degree."
BA or BFA?
Studio majors have the option of pursuing either the BA or the BFA degree.
The BA degree has a total of 124 hours, including 44 hours in Art, about 66 hours of college and university core classes, and 18-21 hours of electives, which may be in art or in other departments.
The BFA degree, by contrast, requires 128 total hours, with 84 hours of art credits and 44 hours of university and college core. What this means is that as a BFA you take twice as much art/art history. If you are planning to become a professional artist or go on to graduate school in art, then this is the degree for you. BFA students take fewer math, language and science courses than BA students.
You cannot apply for admission to the BFA program until you have completed at least the first three of the six BFA foundation classes. Application consists of a written application and portfolio review. More information about the BFA and the application process.