Majoring in Studio Art (three degree options):
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The BA degree is intended to expose the undergraduate student to a broad range of studio art ideas and practices. Students should choose this degree option if they are seeking a general liberal arts education. It is also the preferred degree option when seeking a double major. Co-majors are frequent in communication studies, journalism (design track), biology, drama (costume and set design), psychology (art therapy), and any field augmented by visual arts study. In fact, whatever discipline you might choose to pursue, whether the arts, humanities or sciences, medicine, or law, success will depend on two abilities: the ability to find creative solutions to problems and the ability to express individuality. Art, by its very nature, gives these skills to those who study the discipline.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
The BFA is considered the pre-professional course of study, providing a more in-depth experience of visual concept and practice. Students intending to pursue further study in visual arts disciplines (master of fine arts, design fields, or architecture) should choose this degree option. Students considering the BFA degree are advised to contact the undergraduate advisor for studio art during the freshman year and no later than the sophomore year.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Art History Emphasis (BFA-AH)
The bachelor of fine arts with art history emphasis degree was established to allow students to pursue concentrated study in both studio art and art history. Basically, it represents a double major of studio art and art history. Unique to UNC-Chapel Hill, this degree has been well received for students wishing to pursue graduate study in fields that demand knowledge in both history and practice, such as curatorial studies, museum studies, or education. Students pursuing this degree are advised by the director of undergraduate studies for both studio art and art history. Students interested in this degree should contact both advisors no later than the sophomore year.
Note: All Foundations, Approaches, and Connections requirements [GB1] must be satisfied. Because of the increased number of Department of Art hours required for the BFA and BFA/AH degree, these students are not required to complete the Supplemental General Education requirements. Students should be aware that courses taken in the Art Department beyond the total credits outlined in the major will not count toward graduation.
Degree Requirements: BA, BFA
The BA and BFA degrees are divided into five basic sections:
1. Foundation Courses
These courses are required for all BA and BFA majors. All upper level courses have at least one foundation course as a prerequisite. Students should not take more than two intermediate or upper level courses before they have completed all of the following foundation courses:
- ART 102 Two-dimensional Design
- ART 103 Three-dimensional Design/Introduction to Sculpture
- ART 104 Basic Drawing and Composition
- ART 105 Basic Photography
2. Studio Concentration Courses
BA - 2 courses (6 credit hours).
BFA - 5-6 courses (13-19 credit hours).
Students choose an area of concentration in painting/drawing, printmaking, photography (including video), digital, mixed media, or sculpture. In general, courses are numbered to reflect the concentration areas in the last digit. Painting course numbers end in 2, sculpture 3, drawing 4, photography 5, electronic media 6, mixed media 7, printmaking 8. Other thematic or media courses may count in a variety of media areas depending on the topic. Some courses may bridge multiple areas of concentration. Be sure to check with the undergraduate advisor for studio art to know whether certain courses can apply to your area of concentration.
Some intermediate and advanced courses may be taken for variable (Var.) credit with instructor permission. Students may also pursue independent study course work with individual faculty. Such work may be undertaken only with permission of the sponsoring faculty and is appropriate only after the typical sequence of courses has been completed.
Students must consult with individual instructors to outline and contract specific requirements for variable credit hour study. Students taking variable credit should expect to engage in a minimum of two hours of supervised work and an additional two hours per credit outside of class work per week.
3. Studio Electives
BA - 2 courses (6 credit hours).
BFA - 5-6 courses (15-18 credit hours).
Studio electives provide for breadth in the studio art degree. Courses should be in areas other than the student’s concentration.
4. Art History
3 courses (9 credit hours).
- Recommended first course: Art Survey (ART 151 and/or 152)
- One course must be 150 level or above
- One course must be in the area of 19th or 20th century
5. Professional Development
Professional Seminar (ART 394) - Taken in the spring of the junior year, this course explores topics such as further academic study in art (graduate school), exhibiting work (galleries, museums, competitive exhibitions), and career options (including art education, art therapy, design fields, curatorial, critical writing).
Senior Exhibition - All graduating art majors participate in a graduation exhibition. In the spring of the senior year, a designated faculty member facilitates the senior exhibition. Organizational meetings usually happen in February. The Senior Exhibition is hung during exam week and is on view through graduation.
| Credit Summary |
BA
|
BFA
|
| Foundation Courses (ART 102, 103, 104, 105) | |
15 |
15 |
| Life Course (ART 214, 223) | |
3 |
3 |
| Studio Concentration |
6
|
13-19 |
Studio Electives
|
6 |
15-18 |
Professional Seminar
|
2 |
2 |
Art History Credits (3 courses)
|
9 |
9 |
Total Department Credits
|
41 |
60 |
Note: students should be aware that courses taken in the Art Department beyond the total credits outlined in the major will not count towards graduation.
BFA/AH Degree Requirements
In general, the studio component of the joint degree parallels the BA in studio art.
1. Foundation Courses
These courses are required BFA/AH majors. All upper level studio courses have at least one foundation course as a prerequisite. Students should not take more than two intermediate or upper level studio courses before they have completed all of the following foundation courses:
- ART 102 Two-dimensional Design
- ART 103 Three-dimensional Design/Introduction to Sculpture
- ART 104 Basic Drawing and Composition
- ART 105 Basic Photography
- ART 151 Survey of Western Art - Ancient to Renaissance
- ART 152 Survey of Western Art - Renaissance to Contemporary
2. Studio Concentration Courses
2 courses (6 credit hours)
Students choose an area of concentration in painting/drawing, printmaking, photography (including video), digital, mixed media, or sculpture. In general, courses are numbered to reflect the concentration areas in the last digit. Painting courses end in 2, sculpture 3, drawing 4, photography 5, electronic media 6, mixed media 7, printmaking 8. Other thematic or media courses may count in a variety of media areas depending on the topic. Some courses may bridge multiple areas of concentration. Be sure to check with the undergraduate advisor for studio art to know whether certain courses can apply to your area of concentration.
3. Studio Electives
2 courses (6 credit hours)
Studio electives provide for breadth in the studio art degree. Courses should be in areas other than the student’s concentration.
4. Art History Emphasis
8 courses (24 credit hours)
- One course in ancient art history numbered 200-699
- One course in medieval art history numbered 200-699
- One course in Renaissance/baroque art history numbered 200-699
- One course in modern art history numbered 200-699
- Four additional art history courses, all numbered above 199, at least two above 399
5. Professional Development
Professional Seminar - Taken in the spring of the junior year, this course explores topics such as further academic study in art (graduate school), exhibiting work (galleries, museums, competitive exhibitions), and career options (including art education, art therapy, design fields, curatorial, critical writing).
Senior Exhibition - All graduating art majors participate in a graduation exhibition. In the spring of the senior year, a designated faculty member facilitates the senior exhibition. Organizational meetings usually happen in February. The Senior Exhibition is hung during exam week and is on view through graduation.*
|
| Credit Summary |
BFA/AH |
|
| Foundation Courses (ART 102, 103, 104, 105, 151, 152) |
18 |
|
|
Life Course (ART 214 or 314)
|
3
|
|
| Studio Concentration (2-3 courses)
|
6-7 |
|
| Studio Electives (2 courses)
|
6
|
|
|
Professional Seminar |
2 |
|
| Art History Emphasis (8 courses)
|
24
|
|
|
A choice of courses from ART 199-699, with two at ART 399 or above.
At least one course in each of four fields:
Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance/Baroque, Modern
|
|
|
| Total Department Credits
|
60
|
*Note: Graduating seniors receive 0 credits for the Graduation/Senior Exhibition.
