BFA Program
From Visual Studies
- The Visual Studies BFA Program is structured to serve student learning focussed on various practices in the visual arts.
- 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 Visual Studies BFA consists of 17 courses after completion of Foundations. 14 of the courses are Studio courses. At least 5 and at most 8 studio courses can be 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 |
| a total of 14 studio courses comprised of: | ||
| 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 |
| 14 | Studio courses | 42 |
| also: | ||
| 1 | Senior Seminar 401 | 3 |
| 1 | Issues in Art (capstone) 495 | 3 |
| 1 | Senior Project B.F.A. 498 | 6 |
| 17 | Total Courses | 54 Total Credits |
Learning Plans:
- 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 Form each semester. Completed learning plans are filed by November 1st and March 1st.
Planning your Program including Sample Studio courses:
Download the Visual Studies Emphasis Requirements Form to assist you in mapping out your program. Following are some sample The form includes 3 sample areas of focus and the related studio courses that address each focus. These are just some of the possible ways to configure a viable program.
| Public Organization | Media Space | Digital Web |
| 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 | Digital Web is organized around the use of interactive work as a medium for visual culture |
| 2 Civic Studio Curatorial Studio Interactive Studio Space Studio Time Studio 8 studio electives |
2 Time Studio Image Studio Interactive Studio Space Studio 9 studio electives |
2 Time Studio 2 Interactive Studio 2 Image Studio Space Studio Curatorial Studio 6 Studio Electives |
- 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.
