Art (B.F.A.)

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The bachelor of fine arts degree is a professionally oriented undergraduate degree in art. It is designed primarily for those planning to become professional artists, artist-teachers, or art therapists. Greater emphasis is placed on actual practice in the creative art disciplines.

The degree is considered the appropriate preparation for the master of fine arts degree, which is recognized as the terminal degree in studio arts, and for a master’s degree in art therapy, which is required for registration as an art therapist. The BFA in art is a four-year, 124-credit hours program with concentrations possible in painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, printmaking, drawing, metalsmithing and jewelry, illustration, digital arts, and photography.

Basic requirements (45 credit hours)

Communications—English composition, two courses; and oral communication, one course
Social sciences—two courses
Humanities—three courses
Philosophy or mathematics—one course
Natural sciences—two courses, one with a lab
General electives—11-19 credit hours

Art courses (75 credit hours)

Core—39 credit hours
Major—21 credit hours
Art electives and related courses—15 credit hours

Bachelor’s degree requirements

Concentration Admission Review

Formal evaluation prior to admission to a chosen area of concentration is required upon completion of Department of Art foundation core. A display of selected completed foundation core work will occur during the semester when the last of nine foundation courses (25 credit hours) will be completed. Visual course work must meet faculty approval, and upon passing the concentration admission review students may begin BFA study in the area of concentration they have selected.

An additional review opportunity is allowed after an unsuccessful attempt to pass the concentration admission review. The second attempt must be made at the end of the semester following an unsuccessful effort to pass the concentration admission review. The second attempt may, if so requested, occur in an area different from the first unsuccessful attempt.

Students not successful in a second attempt to pass the concentration admission review will be advised to consider the BA degree in art. For complete details on the concentration admission review, students may get a copy of the requirements from the Department of Art advisor.

The major requirements are as follows: (78 credit hours)

Foundation core

*Two-dimensional course choice Credits: (3)
**Three-dimensional course choice Credits: (3)
***Two- or three-dimensional course choice Credits: (3) or, while proceeding with concentration admission requirements, enrollment in one second semester area of concentration course is allowed with permission of instructor.

ART 100 - 2- Dimensional Design Credits: (3)
ART 105 - Art Careers Seminar Credits: (1)
ART 190 - Drawing I Credits: (3)
ART 200 - 3- Dimensional Design Credits: (3)
ART 210 - Drawing II Credits: (3)
ART 225 - Figure Drawing I Credits: (3)

Additional requirements

Art history Credits: (15)
20th century art history requirement Credits: (6)

ART 195 - Survey of Art History I Credits: (3)
ART 196 - Survey of Art History II Credits: (3)

Choose two from the following:

Art history electives Credits: (3)
Major concentration Credits: (21)
Art electives Credits: (15)

ART 410 - BFA Exhibition or Portfolio Presentation Credits: (2)
ART 545 - Twentieth Century Art History I Credits: (3)
ART 550 - Twentieth Century Art History II Credits: (3)
ART 602 - Twentieth Century Art History III Credits: (3)
ART 603 - Twentieth Century Art History IV Credits: (3)

Notes

*Two-dimensional courses: Visual Communication Foundation, Oil Painting I, Photography in Art, Printmaking I, Water Media I.

**Three-dimensional courses: Ceramics I, Metalsmith and Jewelry, Sculpture I.

Studios, laboratories, and equipment for creative work are provided and adequate to the needs of the art areas. Student work may be retained at the discretion of the faculty for an indefinite period of time for instructional and exhibition purposes.

Kansas State University

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