Program Overview

The Department of Art and Design views educational achievement as both an individual and collective responsibility. Offering a variety of undergraduate programs in art and design, the department directs the educational progress of students toward quality research, creative practice, and public service.

Art and design transforms those who create and those who respond. The department uses the transformative value of art and design to connect members of the community, enhance and enrich lives, and make us more conscious of ourselves and others in the world.

To accomplish its mission, the Department of Art and Design has established the following goals:

• To challenge students with an intensive curriculum characterized by individualized instruction.
• To reward faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarly and creative endeavors, and community service.
• To maintain facilities and resources that foster opportunities to experience the creation, exhibition, and study of visual arts and design.
• To provide opportunities for community involvement in visual art and design, to broaden public awareness of these practices.

The degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) requires successful completion of 120 hours, whose required components include (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (note that ART 2325, 2335, or 2336—required for Art majors and minors—fulfills the LD UCA Core requirement in Critical Analysis, Fine Arts/Humanities) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (2) 83 hours of art and design courses in an approved BFA major in Studio Art and emphasis degree plan as described below; (3) and electives to bring total credit hours to 120. Art and design courses must follow a prerequisite structure. A minor is not required. This degree may require more than the normal eight semesters to complete.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Fine Art enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

LD = Lower Division

UD = Upper Division

C = Effective Communication

D = Diversity

I = Critical Inquiry

R = Responsible Living

Z = Capstone Experience