Art Studio: B.F.A.

Art Studio B.F.A. Major

The Art: Studio B.F.A. major requires a minimum of 122 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements.

The BFA is the pre-professional degree for art students. It prepares the student for graduate school (MFA), and culminates in an exhibition in the Gallery of Art. Admission to the BFA program is through departmental application only after completing at least the second level in a medium emphasis area. For more information, visit https://chas.uni.edu/art.

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All studio distribution courses must be taken outside the student's studio concentration.

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Courses chosen from studio, art history, or art education. Courses used in other categories cannot count toward these hours.

The B.F.A. Exhibition ART 4400 serves as the exit requirement for this degree program.

Four-Year Plan

Art: Studio, B.F.A.   

This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major.  University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates.  Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.

Learning Outcomes

Art: Studio, B.F.A.

• Goal 1 (ULOS: content and visual communication): Students will demonstrate the skills, concepts, and sensitivities fundamental to the creation of and communication about visual art.
  • Outcome 1. Students will be able to apply basic studio concepts in their work by demonstrating craft, invention, and impact where appropriate.
• Goal 2 (ULOs: written communication, content, and critical thinking). Students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of art history and relate and compare works (their own, other artists).
  • Outcome 2. Students will be able to apply methods of historical and critical analysis to the study of works of art.
• Goal 3. (ULOs: written communication and critical thinking) Students will understand and communicate the role of art within a wider context.
  • Outcome 3. Students will be able to communicate effectively about art within a wider context.
• Goal 4. Students will be able to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in the selected area of emphasis and demonstrate professional practices in the visual arts.
  • Outcome 4. (ULO: content): BFA Students will demonstrate medium-specific facility and intentionality in a professionally-mounted final exhibition supported by a written statement.

Policies

Major programs are offered by the Department of Art and Graphic Design in two baccalaureate degree areas, the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts. The Bachelor of Arts degree is a liberal arts program offered in Graphic Design or Art with three emphasis options: studio, art history or art education (teaching). The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a professional program with an intensive studio emphasis. 

It is possible for students to earn both the B.F.A. degree along with the B.A. in Art-Art History emphasis or the B.A. in Art Education-Teaching. However, a double major in Art-Studio Emphasis and Graphic Design is not possible. Likewise, it is not possible to earn both the B.F.A. and a B.A. in either Art-Studio Emphasis or Graphic Design.

No grade of less than C- shall satisfy any art major or minor degree requirement whether taken at UNI or transferred from another institution. For all studio courses in the Department of Art and Graphic Design programs the ratio of student work hours to credit hours is 3:1. Therefore, additional work is required outside the regular class meeting times.

Courses in the Department of Art and Graphic Design require specialized materials, some of which are provided through art lab fees.

Foundations Sequence

The Foundations Sequence is a one-year program required for all art majors and art minors. Introductory courses are offered that will provide an intense exploration of basic art concepts and skills as preparation for specialized and advanced areas of study.

Art majors take the 18 hours of introductory courses in the first year of study. The Foundations Sequence is prerequisite to all studio and art history courses. Generally, students enroll in Drawing I, 2-D Concepts, and Survey of Art History I during the first semester and Drawing II, 3-D Concepts, and Survey of Art History II the second semester.

The Foundations Sequence is a prerequisite for introductory level courses taken only by Art majors and minors.

Foundations Sequence for majors:

Foundations Sequence for Art Studio minors:

Foundations Sequence for Art History minors:

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree 

A B.F.A. portfolio admission review is required of all students seeking admission to the B.F.A. degree program. To qualify for the review students must:

1. have a minimum cumulative GPA in Art of 3.00, and an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75,
2. complete the Foundations Sequence,
3. have completed or be completing in the semester of application 6 hours of studio distribution,
4. be enrolled in or have completed a second semester in the selected area of Studio Concentration  (students electing a drawing concentration must be enrolled in or have completed a third semester of drawing beyond Drawing II),
5. complete the B.F.A. Admission Application, and
6. submit a portfolio of art work for review. Students may reapply for admission to the B.F.A. program.

Related Programs

• Art: Art History B.A.
• Art History Minor
• Museum Studies Certificate