Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), a professional degree, is awarded to those persons who have satisfactorily completed the required 129-131 semester credit hours of study and made the expected commitment to the vocation of art. This degree program requires an amount of self-education based on a sound foundation of studio experience. Students in the B.F.A. curriculum may participate in a wide range of studio class work, including drawing, electronic media and photography, painting, printmaking, ceramics, graphic design, and sculpture, as well as a program of art history.
In order to complete the B.F.A. degree program in four years, a student must take from 15 to 18 credit hours per semester, or 30 to 36 credits per year. The B.F.A. programs require a total of 30 credit hours in the studio major area six hours of 100-level courses and 24 hours of 200-level courses. Additional information is available from the coordinator to the various areas or the Divisional Advising Coordinator.
To enter the upper division, major area studio courses, the student must complete the four-semester, lower-division program, including at least two semesters (six semester credit hours) of introductory work from the area of the intended major.
Curriculum
B.F.A. Degree credit-hour minimum requirements are as follows: |
Credits |
| Studio Courses (12 credits in drawing; 30 credits in major area) | 72 |
| Art Orientation | 1 |
| Art History | 12 |
| Liberal Studies Program (required by the University) | 38-40 |
| Open Electives | 6 |
Total Hours:129/131 |
Lower Division:
The two-year, lower-division required sequence of courses in Drawing, Visual Foundations, Art Orientation, Art History, and Introductory Studios, prepares the student for advanced study. Idea development, technical ability, and communication skills are taught with equal emphasis by involving the student in a wide range of projects. The first year of lower-division instruction offers a broad experience in drawing, design, and art history. Emphasis is on basic skills concepts and the development of a common vocabulary with which student objectives can be clearly defined. In the second year, students have the option of selecting introductory courses from three of the six major studio areas which are most suited to their particular interest. Figure Drawing and Advanced Drawing are also required in the second year.
Lower-division art requirements are as follows: |
Credits |
| ART 111 - Drawing Fundamentals I | 3 |
| ART 112 - Drawing Fundamentals II | 3 |
| ART 199 - Art Orientation | 1 |
| ART 121 - Visual Foundation 2-D | 3 |
| ART 122 - Visual Foundation 3-D | 3 |
| ART 105 - Survey of Art History I | 3 |
| ART 106 - Survey of Art History II | 3 |
| ART 211 - Figure Drawing | 3 |
| ART 212 - Advanced Drawing | 3 |
| ART 100 - Studio Introductory Courses | 12 |
Lower Division Art Total: 37 |
Upper Division:
The third year of study marks the entry into the upper division. The student begins to concentrate in one major studio concern, and to direct and apply the basic skills acquired during the first two years of art instruction. Major areas offered by the Division of Art are Ceramics, Intermedia, Painting, Printmaking, Graphic Design, and Sculpture. During the third and fourth years, the studio major accounts for a minimum of 24 semester credit hours or almost half the credit earned. The remaining credit hours are taken in Art History, art electives and liberal studies.
Upper-division art requirements are as follows: |
Credits |
| ART 300 - Studio Major | 24 |
| ART 200/300 - Art Electives | 18 |
| ART 200 - Art History | 6 |
Upper Division Art Total Hours: 48 |
B.F.A. Liberal Arts Requirements:
Liberal arts requirements are defined by WVU. The undergraduate art student must successfully complete a minimum of 38 semester credit hours of liberal arts to qualify for graduation. To satisfy this requirement, the following distribution of liberal arts credits must be achieved:
* Students must complete one course that satisfies a gender / minority / cultures requirement
+ Students must complete one Cluster C course satisfies the science lab requirement
W Art 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 252 satisfy the writing course requirement.
|
Credits |
| English 101 & 102 | 6 |
| Math | 3 |
| Cluster A beyond Art History | 6 |
| Cluster B | 12 |
| Cluster C | 11-13 |
Note: Check most recent course schedules for approved courses for each cluster.
