The mission of the Department of Art is to prepare students to use their artistic abilities to make a difference in society. Our goal is to train and graduate students who are empowered artists, focused on excellence in creative activity, learning, teaching, and who are essential to the continued development of our vibrant culture. The department also maintains the Kimura Gallery and the Arc Gallery that provide opportunities for campus and community members to see the exhibitions of international, national, and local artists. Students are encouraged to engage directly with art in these exhibitions through talks by the artists, curators, and art faculty.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
Special Considerations
- Some courses do not apply to the degree program.
- Some courses may be taken for repeat credit.
- Many Art courses require completion of certain prerequisite Art courses. Non-Art majors who wish to enroll in an Art class without first having completed the recommended prerequisites are free to do so with instructor permission, but may find the classroom experience difficult or unrewarding.
- Obtain pre-registration approval from Art faculty for upper-division Art coursework undertaken each semester.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- A maximum of 60 credits in ART may be applied toward the degree.
- Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Art | ||
| Core Courses: | 18 | |
| Beginning Drawing | ||
| Two-Dimensional Design | ||
| Three-Dimensional Design | ||
| Intermediate Drawing | ||
| History of Western Art I | ||
| History of Western Art II | ||
| Choose one two-dimensional course, one three-dimensional course, and one course from either list: | 9 | |
| Two-Dimensional Area | ||
| Color Design | ||
| Beginning Watercolor | ||
| Beginning Painting | ||
| Beginning Printmaking | ||
| Beginning Photography | ||
| Beginning Graphic Design | ||
| Computer Art | ||
| Three-Dimensional Area | ||
| Beginning Handbuilt Ceramics | ||
| Beginning Wheelthrown Ceramics | ||
| Beginning Sculpture | ||
| Beginning Alaska Native Art | ||
| Upper-Division Studio Art | ||
| Complete a total of 15 credits from the studio areas listed below, with a minimum of 9 credits from any one area: | 15 | |
Alaska Native Art | ||
Ceramics | ||
Communication Design | ||
Drawing | ||
Painting | ||
Sculpture | ||
| Upper-Division Art History | ||
| Complete 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| History of Modern Art | ||
| History of Contemporary Art | ||
| Italian Renaissance Art | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Art History Seminar | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| ART A203 | Introduction to Art Education | 3 |
| ART A491 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| PHIL A401 | Aesthetics | 3 |
| Upper-division general electives 1 | 12 | |
| Total | 69 | |
- 1
At least 6 of the 12 elective credits must have a prefix other than ART.
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Art will:
- Understand the multiple ways in which creative thinking may be applied to a variety of intellectual, social, and professional circumstances
- Possess a broad knowledge of contemporary and historical contexts in the visual arts
- Utilize critical thinking, writing, and research skills leading to creative problem solving
- Apply techniques, composition, and materials to express ideas through a variety of media
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ART A105 | Beginning Drawing | 3 |
| ART A111 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART A113 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| GER Quantitative Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART A205 | Intermediate Drawing | 3 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| GER Natural Sciences Lab | 1 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills (200 level course) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Two-Dimensional) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART A203 | Introduction to Art Education | 3 |
| ART A261 | History of Western Art I | 3 |
| GER Humanities | 3 | |
| GER Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Three-Dimensional) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART A262 | History of Western Art II | 3 |
| GER Humanities | 3 | |
| GER Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Two-Dimensional or Three-Dimensional) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Studio Art) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL A401 | Aesthetics | 3 |
| GER Alaska Native-Themed | 3 | |
| GER Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Studio Art) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Studio Art) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Art History) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Studio Art) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Studio Art) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART A491 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Art History) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Non-Art Prefix) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Non-Art Prefix) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |