Bachelor of Fine Arts: Graphic Design
The B.F.A. emphasis in Graphic Design is a professional degree format that blends practical and theoretical coursework. This program prepares students by providing a background in the history of art; production and technical design skills; better abilities in drawing; computer fluency; an awareness of ethical issues; and practical professional experience. The program of study requires a high level of accomplishment for continuation in the program. Students will be required to attain a grade of B in any class in the graphic design area prior to progressing to the next.
Students pursuing a B.F.A. must petition the Art Faculty for candidacy into the B.F.A. program a year prior to graduation. Students must apply for candidacy by completing a B.F.A. Candidacy form and then participating in the B.F.A. Review. Students must also include a written statement with candidacy form declaring intentions to petition for B.F.A. candidacy. The B.F.A. review is scheduled during the fall semester only (usually the last Friday of September). Work presented in the B.F.A. review should include a portfolio selection of specialized work from the intended area of emphasis. After the portfolio and application are reviewed by the Art Department faculty, students receive either written notification of acceptance or a recommendation to continue pursuing a B.A. track.
Degree Requirements:
84 required credit hours
12 general education credit hours
32 elective credit hours
Required Courses:
Required Courses:
ART 1010 Creative Strategies – 3 hr
ART 1110 Introduction to Drawing – 3 hr
ART 1120 Principles of Drawing – 3 hr
ART 1210 Design Concepts – 3 hr
ART 1220 Design: 3D – 3 hr
ART 2110 Figure Drawing – 3 hr
ART 2120 Intermediate Drawing – 3 hr
ART 4020 Visual Arts Seminar – 3 hr
ARHS 2200 Current Art – 3 hr
ARHS 2210 Introduction to the History of Western Art – 3 hr
ARHS 2320 Introduction to Asian Art – 3 hr
_____(or an approved substitution in non-Western art)
6 Additional Credit Hours in Art History:
ARHS 4730 Art Theory and Criticism – 3 hr
PHIL 3120 Philosophy and Art – 3 hr
ARHS 3360 History of Modern Art – 3 hr
15 Credit Hours in Studio Art Chosen from Five of the Following Studio Areas:
Alternative Media
Ceramics
Painting
Papermaking
Printmaking
Photography
Sculpture
21 Credit Hours in Graphic Design:
ART 2270 Introduction to Graphic Design – 3 hr
ART 2280 Digital Applications – 3 hr
ART 2700 Concepts and Theory of Design – 3 hr
ART 3270 Graphic Design Systems: Typography – 3 hr
ART 3280 Graphic Design Products – 3 hr
ART 4270 Advanced Graphic Design – 3 hr
ART 4280 Graphic Design Studio – 3 hr
3 Additional Credit Hours in Graphic Design:
ART 3850 Topics in Studio Art – 3 hr
____(in graphic design related area)
ADVT 4040 Advertising Production – 3 hr
ARHS 4350 Topics in Art History: History of Modern Design – 3 hr
Practical Field Experience:
ART 4800 Apprenticeships in Art – 1-6 hr
Program Overview:
ART 4900 Professional Practice in Graphic Design – 3 hr
On entering portfolio, transfer students declare intent to pursue the graphic design course of study. Entering portfolio reviews are competitive with acceptance limited to 25 new students per year. The first two courses in the sequence ordinarily would permit the possibility of transfer credit in graphic design. However, transfer students might be encouraged to complete the entire sequence. Although the total number of credit hours in the degree program would remain consistent with other University requirements, transfer students would typically complete the program in five years. Freshman would, of course, be able to make the decision of emphasis at a much later point in their curriculum. The specific point of declaration of emphasis would be Major Acceptance Review during the second semester of the sophomore year. Transfer students are required to participate in Major Acceptance Review during their first semester. All core courses must be completed in the first two years before enrolling in third level graphic design courses.
