The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

[nb:This document provides general information on the School of Art & Art History BFA. Prospective Intermedia BFA students should consult with Intermedia faculty to discuss specifics of the Intermedia BFA.]

Why the BFA?

Students who wish to concentrate studies in one area may elect to go through BFA clearance. Students who are unsure if they should consider the BFA degree should talk with both their faculty adviser (for information on how the BFA degree can help the student meet career goals) and the undergraduate adviser (to discuss the implications of changing degrees and how it will affect the student's graduation progress).

Interested students should know that only 10% of students in the School of Art and Art History (SAAH) are BFA students.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is a different degree than the Bachelor of Arts (BA). The BFA uses the BA as a basis, but goes beyond the BA in important ways. Students who intend to pursue a BFA must indicate a major concentration area, show a portfolio of work at BFA clearance and pass, fulfill additional requirements, and earn more semester hours of course work from the SAAH.

BFA degree requirements

The BFA, like the BA, requires that 120 sh be earned for graduation. The BFA degree, however, is significantly different from the BA degree in that the BFA requires that 62 sh of SAAH course work be completed, out of the 120 sh required for graduation. That means that 58 sh of course work must come from non-SAAH classes (62 sh of SAAH course work + 58 non-SAAH course work =120 sh need to graduate).

The BFA student is expected to:

• complete all requirements for the BA
• complete 3 courses in the major concentration area, beyond the introductory or beginning course
• complete at least the second semester of course work (one class beyond the intro or beginning class) in two additional studio areas
• hold an exhibition of their studio work before graduation, preferably at the School of Art and Art History.

(In addition, drawing and painting students must take 01F:106 Undergraduate Seminar in Drawing and Painting.)

Major concentration

The first step in the BFA process is to talk with a faculty member in the area you want to work in. Ask one or more faculty members about the kind of work that should be included in the BFA Clearance Portfolio (remember that most areas want to see a minimum of 10 pieces of work). If you have questions about whether or not you are ready, ask the faculty member what they think. If you feel you are ready, then sign up during for BFA clearance. Sign-up sheets are usually posted in the different areas two weeks prior to clearance, or on the Undergraduate Adviser's Bulletin Board.

BFA Clearance

BFA clearance is held twice a year; the first week of November and of April. Most students who go through the BFA Clearance process develop a quality portfolio of 10 pieces of work in their major area. The student shows his/her (e.g., Design) portfolio to a committee made up of Design faculty, which assesses the student's work. During the clearance, the student may be asked questions. If the faculty determines that student shows "merit" in that area, that student is "cleared" for the BFA.

BFA students with more than one major, or with minor in Art History

Students who wish to earn two different baccalaureate degrees at the same time from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (eg., BA, BS, BM and BFA), must complete 30 sh beyond the 120 sh required for a single degree, for a total of 150sh. They must also complete all requirements for both degrees.

A student earning two majors (BFA and BA in Art History) or a major and a minor (BFA and minor in Art History) from a department that offers degrees in more than one subject area may apply more than 50 sh (or in the case of the BFA, 62sh) from that department to the 120 sh needed for graduation. However, he or she must earn a minimum of 56 sh from course work taken outside of the major department.

Additional Notes

Papermaking, calligraphy, and bookbinding may not be used as major or minor areas.

Cross-referenced courses originating in the School of Art and Art History may not be counted as non-art electives

Art education majors in the BFA program must meet the same teacher licensure requirements as students in the BA program.

SAAH classes include studio courses, art history courses, and art education courses.