The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) enables students to concentrate their efforts in a studio art education. The structure of the BFA program presents many opportunities for interaction with faculty and fellow BFA students. Mentorship by dedicated faculty prepare students for a professional career in the arts.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Declare the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art.
- Upon completion of the following courses and requirements, refer to the BFA Handbook on the Department of Art website for details about applying for program admission to the BFA. Program admission is a selective process that includes submitting a portfolio of work.
- Choose a primary studio area of concentration and secondary studio area of emphasis, listed in the Graduation Requirements below.
- Complete the 24 credits of the Foundation Core Courses in the Graduation Requirements below.
- Complete the 9 credits of coursework in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional Beginning Studio Electives in the Graduation Requirements below.
- Maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA and 3.00 overall GPA in Art courses.
- Once selected, file a change of major form to be admitted to the BFA.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Core Courses | ||
| ART A105 | Beginning Drawing | 3 |
| ART A111 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART A112 | Color Design | 3 |
| ART A113 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART A205 | Intermediate Drawing | 3 |
| ART A261 | History of Western Art I | 3 |
| ART A262 | History of Western Art II | 3 |
| ART A307 | Life Drawing and Composition I | 3 |
| Beginning Studio Electives | ||
| Complete one course from the two-dimensional list and one course from the three-dimensional list, and one course from either list: | 9 | |
Two-Dimensional Area | ||
| Beginning Watercolor | ||
| Beginning Painting | ||
| Beginning Printmaking | ||
| Beginning Photography | ||
| Computer Art | ||
Three-Dimensional Area | ||
| Beginning Handbuilt Ceramics | ||
| Beginning Wheelthrown Ceramics | ||
| Beginning Sculpture | ||
| Art History | ||
| Complete three of the following: | 9 | |
| History of Modern Art | ||
| History of Contemporary Art | ||
| Italian Renaissance Art | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Art History Seminar | ||
| Primary Studio Area of Concentration and Secondary Studio Area of Emphasis | ||
| Complete a primary studio area of concentration and a secondary studio area of emphasis from the following: | ||
Ceramics | ||
Communication Design | ||
Drawing | ||
Painting | ||
Sculpture | ||
| Primary Studio Area of Concentration | ||
| Complete a primary studio area of concentration from the list above and complete the following studio courses in the same concentration: | ||
| 200-level studio course 1 | 3 | |
| 300-level studio course | 6 | |
| 400-level studio course | 6 | |
| Complete a support course from the following: | 3 | |
| Selected Topics in Studio Art | ||
| Selected Topics in Studio Art | ||
| Individual Research | ||
Other courses by permission | ||
| Secondary Studio Area of Emphasis | ||
| Complete a secondary studio area of emphasis from the list above and complete the following studio courses in the same emphasis: | ||
| 200-level studio course 2 | 3 | |
| 300-level studio course | 3 | |
| Complete a support course from the following: | 3 | |
300-level studio course | ||
400-level studio course | ||
| Selected Topics in Studio Art | ||
| Selected Topics in Studio Art | ||
| Individual Research | ||
Other courses by permission | ||
| Thesis Requirements | ||
| ART A491 | Senior Seminar (fall semesters only) | 3 |
| ART A499 | Thesis (spring semesters only) | 3 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| ART A203 | Introduction to Art Education | 3 |
| PHIL A401 | Aesthetics | 3 |
| Complete 6 credits of electives selected from art history or art studio courses. | 6 | |
| Total | 87 | |
- 1
Students must choose a beginning course studio area of concentration. Exception: Students with a drawing concentration may choose from any 200-level two-dimensional class listed under Beginning Studio Electives.
- 2
Must be other than a course selected to fulfill the Beginning Studio Electives within the Foundation Core.
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division. A maximum of 84 credits in Art (ART) may be applied towards the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts will be able to:
- Master techniques, composition, and the use of materials to express ideas in a cohesive body of work.
- Comprehend knowledge of contemporary and historical contexts in the visual arts.
- Apply critical thinking, writing and research skills in the discovery of original approaches to creative problem solving.
- Demonstrate professional skills to be a practicing artist as applied to art proposals, exhibitions and business matters.
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 A112 | Color Design | 3 |
| ART A205 | Intermediate Drawing | 3 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills (200 level course) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Two-Dimensional) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART A203 | Introduction to Art Education | 3 |
| GER Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| GER Natural Science Lab | 1 | |
| Program Elective (Primary Studio 200 level course) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Three-Dimensional) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Two-Dimensional or Three-Dimensional) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GER Alaska Native-Themed | 3 | |
| GER Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| GER Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Secondary Studio 200 level course) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Primary Studio 300 level course) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART A261 | History of Western Art I | 3 |
| PHIL A401 | Aesthetics | 3 |
| GER Humanities | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Primary Studio 300 level course) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Secondary Studio 300 level course) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART A262 | History of Western Art II | 3 |
| ART A307 | Life Drawing and Composition I | 3 |
| GER Humanities | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Primary Studio Support) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Primary Studio 400 level course) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART A491 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| GER Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Art History) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Art History) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Primary Studio 400 level course) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART A499 | Thesis | 3 |
| Program Elective (Art History or Studio) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Art History or Studio) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Art History) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (Secondary Studio Support) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |