Program Overview
Art, BA: Studio Arts
The Bachelor of Arts degree offers students a studio art experience to complement a broad exposure to the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. Bachelor of Arts (Art) students have two course tracks to choose from: Studio Arts and Community Arts.
Overview
Students in the Studio Arts track augment their studio research with 9 credits of Academic Focus coursework in a single academic discipline as well as 21 credits of Directed Electives which can be taken as studio or academic courses. In their final two semesters, Studio Arts BA students develop and execute a self-directed BA Project which is the culmination of their studio and academic research.
Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts (Art) degree requires a total of 120 credits for graduation distributed as follows:
- University Core: 45 credits
- First Year Program: 15 credits
- BA Degree Requirements: 9 credits
- Major Requirements: 51 credits
- Total Credits: 120 credits
University Core
The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Arts is 120; the minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 123. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, and foreign language may need additional credits.
First Year Program
- ART 101: Drawing I (3 credits)
- ART 106: Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context (3 credits)
- ART 108: 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition (3 credits)
- ART 109: 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique (3 credits)
- ART 118: Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice (3 credits)
- Total Credits: 15 credits
Degree Requirements
- ART 501: Studio Research, Practice, and Portfolio (3 credits)
- ART 505: BA Project (3 credits)
- ART 604: Professional Practices (3 credits)
- Total Credits: 9 credits
Major Requirements
- Introductory Studios: Select 9 credits from the following courses:
- ART 201: Drawing II
- ART 212: Creative Technologies
- ART 218: Moving Images and Sound in Art & Design
- ART 221: Introduction to Design
- ART 223: Introduction to Typography
- ART 231: Introduction to Fibers
- ART 243: Introduction to Painting
- ART 253: Introduction to Photography
- ART 261: Introduction to Sculpture
- ART 271: Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing
- ART 277: Design for Digital Fabrication
- ART 278: Introduction to Industrial Craft
- ART 281: Introduction to Ceramics
- ART 291: Introduction to Print and Narrative Forms
- Studio Focus: Select 12 credits from ART 300+ approved studio courses chosen in consultation with advisor
- Academic Focus: Select 9 credits within the same department outside of Art & Design
- Directed Electives: Select 21 credits from Peck School of the Arts or the University
- Total Credits: 51 credits
Plan of Study
The recommended four-year sequence for the BA in Studio Arts is outlined below:
Year 1
- Fall:
- ART 101: Drawing I (3 credits)
- ART 106: Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context (3 credits)
- ART 108 or ART 109: 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition or 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
- Spring:
- ART 109 or ART 108: 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique or 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition (3 credits)
- ART 118: Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice (3 credits)
- Directed Elective (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
Year 2
- Fall:
- 200-level studio in Art (3 credits)
- 200-level studio in Art (3 credits)
- ARTHIST 101: Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture (3 credits)
- Select one of the following: ART 309: Issues in Contemporary Art or Directed Elective (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
- Spring:
- 200-level studio in Art (3 credits)
- 300-level and above Studio Concentration (3 credits)
- ARTHIST 102: Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture (3 credits)
- Select one of the following: ART 309: Issues in Contemporary Art or Directed Elective (3 credits)
- Academic Focus outside Art & Design (3 credits)
Year 3
- Fall:
- 300-level and above Studio Concentration (3 credits)
- Academic Focus outside Art & Design (3 credits)
- Directed Elective (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
- Spring:
- ART 509: Art & Design Seminar (3 credits)
- Art & Design History choice: ART 124: Design Survey, ART 152: Photography Survey, or any Art History course above ARTHIST 102 (3 credits)
- Academic Focus outside of Art & Design (3 credits)
- Directed Elective (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
Year 4
- Fall:
- 300-level and above Studio Concentration (3 credits)
- ART 501: Studio Research, Practice, and Portfolio (3 credits)
- Choose one of the following: ART 604: Professional Practices or Directed Elective (3 credits)
- Directed Elective (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
- Spring:
- 300-level and above Studio Concentration (3 credits)
- ART 505: BA Project (3 credits)
- Choose one of the following: ART 604: Professional Practices or Directed Elective (3 credits)
- Directed Elective (3 credits)
- University Core (3 credits)
Art & Design Undergraduate Admission Requirements
To be admitted in good standing, applicants must meet general University requirements. After being admitted to UWM and indicating Art as their chosen major, no further steps are required for acceptance into the Department of Art & Design.
Art & Design Undergraduate Incoming and Transfer Student Scholarship Portfolio Submissions
Applicants to the Art & Design program are strongly encouraged to submit a portfolio of artworks and additional supporting materials for review by the Art & Design Scholarship Committee.
Advancement to Major
Students accepted into the Art & Design program receive priority registration over non-art majors. To advance to the Art & Design major, students must complete the requirements outlined below:
- Complete First Year Program courses (15 credits)
- Oral and Written Communications Competency Part A (OWC-A)
- Quantitative Literacy Competency Part A (QL-A)
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Students pursuing the Design and Visual Communication BFA have additional requirements
Advising
Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. The Peck School of the Arts offers professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music, and theatre.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation. High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
Honors in the Peck School of the Arts
- Dean's Honor List: GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
- Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction: Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements.
- Commencement Honors: Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester.
- Final Honors: Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.