Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art

The Department of Art and Art History in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.F.A. in Art. Students who major in art are creative thinkers who visualize the world around them to create contemporary and conceptual works of art.

B.A. vs B.F.A. in Art

• The Bachelor of Arts degree has a deeper and wider general education foundation than the B.F.A. degree. The B.A. degree provides a comprehensive education with the flexibility necessary for students to craft individual programs of study.
• Students can choose to enter the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art program during the regular UM admissions process. After completing the foundation art core, having a minimum GPA, and successful B.F.A. Foundations Review, B.F.A. students gain wider training across the studio areas, more depth in their chosen emphasis area, build a professional portfolio, and hold a final thesis show.

Program Details

Degree

• B.F.A. in Art

Emphases

• Graphic Design
• Ceramics
• Painting
• Printmaking and Photography
• Sculpture

Required Credit Hours

• 129

Program Type

• Major

Program Location

• Oxford

School

• College of Liberal Arts

Duration

• 4 Years

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements

Students in the College of Liberal Arts earning the B.F.A. in Art degree have a common set of 33-35 hours of general education, including:

• First Year Writing I, II
• English Literature Survey
• History
• Additional Humanities
• Arts Appreciation (other than visual arts)
• Mathematics
• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences

B.F.A. in Art

Students in the B.F.A. in Art program complete 76 credit hours, including 22 art courses and 5 art history courses. Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.5 GPA in all art and art history courses to continue their enrollment in the B.F.A. degree.

Foundation Core (15 hours)

• Art 101: 2-D Design
• Art 103: 3-D Design
• Art 111: Drawing I
• Art 201: Digital Imaging
• Art 211: Drawing II
• Art 205: BFA Foundations Portfolio Review

Level 1 Studio (12 hours)

Select 3 courses from chosen concentration and one course from the other concentration

• Fine Art Concentration
  • Art 321: Beginning Painting
  • Art 331: Beginning Sculpture
  • Art 340: Beginning Ceramics
  • Art 371: Introduction to Printmaking
  • Art 381: Beginning Imaging Arts
• Expanded Media Arts Concentration
  • Art 301: Creative Coding
  • Art 302: Sonic Arts
  • Art 361: Graphic Design I, Typography
  • Art 362: Graphic Design II, Production Design
  • Art 371: Introduction to Printmaking
  • Art 381: Introduction to Photography
  • Art 384: Digital Video

Level 2 Studio (9 hours)

Select 3 courses in chosen concentration

• Fine Art Concentration
  • Art 311: Figure Drawing I
  • Art 322: Intermediate Painting
  • Art 323: Plein Air Painting
  • Art 332: Intermediate Sculpture
  • Art 341: Pottery
  • Art 342: Handbuilding
• Expanded Media Arts Concentration
  • Art 301: Creative Coding
  • Art 302: Sonic Arts
  • Art 362: Graphic Design II, Production Design
  • Art 364: Web Design I
  • Art 366: Letterpress
  • Art 372: Intermediate Printmaking
  • Art 373: Book Arts
  • Art 383: Intermediate Imaging Arts
  • Art 385: Intro to Alternative Photographic Processes

Area of Emphasis (13 hours)

Select an area of emphasis within chosen concentration. Courses completed in Level I or II cannot double count towards an area of emphasis.

• Any Art at the 300 level or higher (9 hours)
• Art 405: Pre-thesis Forum (0 hr.)
• Art 491: Thesis Exhibit (3 hr.)
• Art 492: Senior Seminar (1 hr.)

Art Electives (12 hours)

Select any art course at the 300-level or higher.

Art History Courses (15 hours)

• AH 201: History of Art I
• AH 202: History of Art II
• AH 401: Research and Writing in Art
• 2 Art History courses (6 credit hours) at the 300 level or higher.

The Value of an Art Degree

Art majors develop the fundamentals of design, learn how to promote their art, and become adept at new technologies within their field. They can analyze visual materials, communicate conceptual ideas, and problem solve in creative waysall skills that are highly desired by employers.

Department Opportunities

Meet Student Ambassadors

No one knows the College of Liberal Arts better than our student ambassadors. They are ready to answer your questions about academics, campus life, and Oxford.

Student Success Resources

Find out about scholarship opportunities and student success resources available at the department, College, and university levels.

Undergraduate Opportunities

Enhance your education with experiences beyond the classroom and studio to gain a more well-rounded education and be more prepared for the workforce.

What can you do with a B.F.A. in Art?

Meet Our Art Alumni, including:

• Designer/Host, HGTV's Home Town
• Creative Consultant, Estee Lauder
• Graphic Designer, Walt Disney World
• Art Director, Marriott International
• Executive Art Director, Simon & Schuster
• Marketing Specialist, Turner Broadcasting
• Director of Philanthropy, Heifer International
• Professor of Ceramics, University of Utah
• Webmaster, Oxford School District
• Scenic Artist, Denver Center Theatre
• Technical Artist, Los Alamos National Labs
• Game Developer, Mind Level Up
• Creative Director, CNN
• Appraisal Services, Antiques Roadshow
• Collections Assistant, Burke Museum
• Staff, Chicago Art Institute

Minor in Art

The minor in art consists of 18 credit hours of studio art courses, including:

• Art 101: Two-Dimensional Design
• Art 103: Three-Dimensional Design
• Art 111: Drawing I
• 9 credit hours of studio art courses with 6 credit hours at 300-level or higher