Art BA
Admissions Planning Message
This program has been absorbed into a concentration in the Arts within the BAIS degree. For more information, please see this page. The BA program described below is not open for new enrollment.
About the Program
The BA Art program is designed to give students interested in visual arts a space to explore their interests, learn new techniques, gain experience with critique as well as insight into the arts industry. By entering into the program, you will join peers and instructors who are passionate about communicating through the visual media and creating rich experiences for audiences. The program also features concentrations that target a variety of art techniques and styles. Please see the description of each concentration below.
Degree Requirements
Students majoring in art must complete 42 credits of course work in art, 52 credits of liberal arts core requirements and a 15-credit minor concentration. Each of the separate concentrations has groups of required courses in its areas of specialization. Guidance by the students’ individual advisers is essential in guiding them through each specialization.
The required courses in art are designed to provide students interested in the visual arts with a strong foundation program of 24 credits in drawing, design, color, and art history. Additionally, in the senior year, a 6-credit senior project and seminar are required for the degree.
The remaining 15 credits (for a total of 42) may be taken in a variety of art electives, as well as required courses for the concentrations in arts management, computer art and design, graphic art and design, and painting and/or drawing.
Program Learning Objectives
By the end of the program, students will:
- Articulate their individual global aesthetic sense
- Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of skills and techniques in the art-making process
- Develop problem solving skills
- Demonstrate critical thinking and research techniques as a part of the visual problem solving method of creativity
Possible Career Paths
The world of arts careers is vast and ever-changing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points to several possible career paths graduates of this degree can pursue:
- Artist/art director
- Designer/ graphic designer
- Interior design/fashion
- Editor/content creator
- Photographer
- Technical writer/creative writer
Program Outline
Except for the freshman foundation courses (which must be scheduled in the first and second semesters as indicated below), the semester assignment of courses in this outline is only suggested. Students have the option of distributing the electives, with the approval of their adviser, among the semesters as they deem appropriate.
Required Courses
Freshman Foundation Required Art Courses
First semester
Second semester
General Requirements
Third semester
Remainder
Computer Art and Design Concentration
The computer art and design concentration focuses on the interactive world of broadcast, 3D, gaming, and animation. Students learn principles of 3D modeling, animation, and interactivity including texture, lighting, and camera action.
Major Requirements (18 credits)
- ART1107 Development of Art I
- ART1108 Development of Art II
- ART1141 Two-dimensional Design or
ART1142 Three-dimensional Design - ART1144 Color Theory I
- ART1151 General Drawing I or
ART1161 Painting I - ART4821 Portfolio
Major Concentration (15 credits)
Choose five from the following courses:
- ART1177 Introduction to Digital Media
- ART1178 Multimedia on the Internet
- ART1192 Digital Photography I
- ART1843 Design for the Web
- ART2271 Adobe® After Effects: Broadcast Graphics
- ART2274 Computer 3-Dimensional Modeling
- ART2294 2-D Computer Animation
- ART2295 3D Computer Animation
- CSCI3317 Computer Game Programming
Graphic Art and Design Concentration
The graphic art and design concentration exposes students to all aspects of graphic design and data visualization with outputs to print, web and smart devices.
Major Requirements (18 credits)
- ART1107 Development of Art I
- ART1108 Development of Art II
- ART1131 History of Graphic Design and Illustration
- ART1144 Color Theory I
- ART1151 General Drawing I or
ART1161 Painting I - ART4821 Portfolio
Major Concentration (15 credits)
Choose five from the following courses: