BFA Program
From Visual Studies
- The Visual Studies BFA Program is structured to serve student learning focussed on various practices in the visual arts. See these sample programs for an outline of 3 examples of possible areas of focus: Public Organization concentrates on the structuring and presentation of art in the world, Media Space addresses the uses of visual technologies and media in public space, and Digital Web is organized around the use of interactive work as a medium for visual culture.
- Visual Studies is both practical and theoretical. The Visual Studies BFA Program aims to be effective through focusing on practical skills in the visual arts. These skills are applicable in a variety of contexts. The program uses theory to deepen understanding in each studio area. This focus on theory in all courses provides a programmatic coherence. Graduates in Visual Studies should be well-equipped in theoretical and practical skills: basic design and fabrication, project management, and cultural analysis.
- The BFA degree with an emphasis in Visual Studies consists of at least 5 and at most 8 studio courses taken within the emphasis. Therefore at least 6 and at most 9 studio courses are open as studio electives. This large number of studio electives accommodates a wide range of possible combinations. This can include significant coursework in other studio areas even to the advanced level.
Course and Credit Requirements
| Courses | (after foundations) | Credits |
| 5-8 | Visual Studies courses (at least 4 different courses, max 2 times any one course) | 15-24 |
| 6-9 | studio electives (at least 6 studio electives outside the emphasis) | 18-27 |
| 1 | Senior Seminar 401 | 3 |
| 1 | Issues in Art (capstone) 495 | 3 |
| 1 | Senior Project B.F.A. 498 | 6 |
| 17 | Totals | 54 |
- Students in Visual Studies develop the focus of their studio practice through regular meetings with their faculty advisor. Together student and faculty plan how the curriculum will support this learning by reviewing and revising the individual Learning Plan] each semester.
- Students in the Visual Studies emphasis can propose courses from across the University as "studio electives". Students can use a Studio Elective Proposal to make the case for how and why the course is significant as part of their studio practice as outlined in the Learning Plan.
- For a complete description of the program see the full text of the Curriculum Proposals.
