Visual Arts (B.F.A)
Hours - 57-63 Credit Hours
Effective Sep. 2020
Last Revised 7/28/2021
Holokai Category - Arts & Humanities
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Program Requirements
Graphic Design Concentration (63 Credits)
Required Visual Arts Core — 6 Credits
Required Art History and Theory Core — 12 Credits
Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
---|---|---|---|---|
ART 201 | Global Art History I | F, W, S | 3.0 | ENGL 101 |
ART 202 | Global Art History II | F, W | 3.0 | ENGL 101 |
ART 316 | Graphic Design History | F, S | 3.0 | ART 210 or 212 |
ART 442 | Readings in Aesthetics | F | 3.0 | ART 210, 212 for BA and BFA students or 316 for Graphic Design Majors; and senior standing |
All students must pass the portfolio review before advancing to the Visual Arts Graphic Design Concentration. Projects from Art 119 and 156 must be uploaded to Behance and submitted electronically on the program website. After completing the prerequisite courses students may apply by April 30. Accepted students may begin graphic design coursework the semester located in the admittance letter.
Graphic Design Concentration — 33 Credits
Required — 27 Credits
Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
---|---|---|---|---|
ART 210 | Digital Design | F, W, S | 3.0 | ART 119, 156. For Visual Arts minors, only ART 119 |
ART 212 | Digital Photography | F, W, S | 3.0 | ART 119, 156 |
ART 270 | Typography | F, W | 3.0 | ART 210, 212, Portfolio Review |
ART 280 | Branding | F | 3.0 | ART 210, 212, Portfolio Review |
IT 240 | Fundamentals of Web Design and Technology | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
ART 370 | Interaction Design | W | 3.0 | ART 270, 280 |
ART 380 | Publication Design | F, W | 3.0 | ART 119, 156, 210, 212, 270, 280 |
ART 444 | Motion Graphics | F, W | 3.0 | ART 370, 380 |
ART 445 | Packaging Design | F, W | 3.0 | ART 370, 380 |
Electives: Take two of the following — 6 Credits
Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
---|---|---|---|---|
ENTR 383 | Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management | F, W, S | 3.0 | Pre- or corequisite: ENTR 180 |
ART | 221R, 225, 265, 306, 312, 325, 335, 345, 365, 375, 390R, 425, 447, 465, 495R | TBA | 3.0 | Diverse Prerequisites. Permission of Instructor |
FILM | 102, 218, 300, 318, 365R | TBA | 3.0 | Diverse Prerequisites. Permission of Instructor |
All BFA candidates must complete an additional 12 credits in the BFA Option. Students in the Graphic Design concentration must complete an internship along with their thesis level coursework to be awarded a BFA. Students in the Painting or Sculpture Programs have the option to complete an internship but are not required. If you choose the internship option, only 6 credits may be used for BFA thesis and exhibit production.
Completion of coursework does not automatically guarantee admittance into the program or attainment of the BFA. Applicants for the BFA must apply by:
- submitting their formal application no later than 12 full months before their projected graduation date,
- provide a professional level portfolio for review
If accepted into the program, granting of the BFA is dependent upon the completion of the following:
- completion of the additional thesis level coursework listed below,
- a professional faculty review of the body of work achieved by the student
Thesis Level Coursework — 12 Credits
Painting Concentration (57 Credits)
Required Visual Arts Core — 6 Credits
Required Art History and Theory Core — 12 Credits
Course Number | Title | Semester Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
---|---|---|---|---|
ART 201 | Global Art History I | F, W, S | 3.0 | ENGL 101 |
ART 202 | Global Art History II | F, W | 3.0 | ENGL 101 |
ART 306 | Global Art History III | F, W | 3.0 | ENGL 101, ART 201 or 202 |
ART 442 | Readings in Aesthetics | F | 3.0 | ART 201 & 202 for Painting Majors or 316 for Graphic Design Majors; and senior standing |
All students must pass the portfolio review before advancing to the Visual Arts Painting Concentration. Projects from Art 119 and 265 must be uploaded to Behance and submitted electronically on the program’s website. After completing the prerequisite courses students may apply by April 30. Accepted students may begin painting coursework the semester located in the admittance letter.
Painting Concentration — 27 Credits
Required — 21 Credits
Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
---|---|---|---|---|
ART 210 | Digital Design | F, W, S | 3.0 | ART 119, 156, For Visual Arts minors, only ART 119 |
ART 212 | Digital Photography | F, W, S | 3.0 | ART 119, 156 |
ART 221R | Figure Drawing | F, W | 3.0 | ART 119 |
ART 225 | Painting Concepts | F, S | 3.0 | ART 119 |
ART 325 | Figure Painting | W | 3.0 | ART 119, 221R, 225, 265, Portfolio Review |
ART 335 or | Watercolor or | S - odd years | 3.0 | ART 119, 210, 221R, 225, 265, Portfolio Review |
ART 345 | Digital Painting | S - even years | 3.0 | ART 119, 221R, 225, 265, Portfolio Review |
ART 425 | Advanced Painting | F | 3.0 | ART 119, 210, 221R, 225 |
Electives: Take two of the following — 6 Credits
Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
---|---|---|---|---|
ENTR 383 | Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management | F, W, S | 3.0 | Pre- or corequisite: ENTR 180 |
ART | 156, 265, 270, 280, 312, 335, 365, 375, 390R, 399R, 444, 447, 465, 495R | TBA | 3.0 | Diverse Prerequisites. Permission of Instructor |
FILM | 102, 218, 300, 318, 365R | TBA | 3.0 | Diverse Prerequisites. Permission of Instructor |
All BFA candidates must complete an additional 12 credits in the BFA Option. Students in the Painting concentration must complete an internship along with their thesis level coursework to be awarded a BFA. Students in the Painting or Sculpture Programs have the option to complete an internship but are not required. If you choose the internship option, only six credits may be used for BFA Thesis and Exhibit Production.
Completion of coursework does not automatically guarantee admittance into the program or attainment of the BFA. Applicants for the BFA must apply by:
- submitting their formal application no later than 12 full months before their projected graduation date,
- provide a professional level portfolio for review
If accepted into the program, granting of the BFA is dependent upon the completion of the following:
- completion of the additional thesis level coursework listed below,
- a professional faculty review of the body of work achieved by the student
Thesis Level Coursework — 12 Credits
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing a major in art, students will:
- Demonstrate studio proficiency in hand crafted visual art production techniques.
- Demonstrate studio proficiency in digital imaging and computer software production techniques.
- Demonstrate methods of critical thinking through critique, compositional analysis, and interpretation of the elements and principles of design.
- Demonstrate informed understanding and appreciation of the history of art, theories of art, and the role of art in education through written and oral communication.
- Demonstrate proficiency in professional practices of visual arts documentation and presentation through portfolio production and exhibition.
- Demonstrate leadership and self-directed learning through independent study, student research and internship.
Program Descriptions
The visual arts curriculum serves five main purposes: (1) to prepare competent professionals in various fields of visual arts; (2) to qualify artists and designers to solve conceptual and technical problems inherent in visual arts; (3) to train art students to critically assess and discuss works of art; (4) to prepare art educators for teaching the visual arts at the secondary level; and (5) to generally develop individuals’ aesthetic sense by helping them experience art.
Career Opportunities
The art major prepares students for many visual art and humanity-related careers and provides a solid foundation for art and design graduate programs. Studio art majors can specialize in one of two media tracks (graphic design, or painting). Students in the graphic design track are trained as graphic designers in digital and print media for branding, publication, and web design, including additional skills in illustration, photography, and video. Students in the painting track are trained to work as self-employed freelance artists, with the skills necessary.