COURSE CURRICULUM

The Pictorial Art BFA program is a comprehensive undergraduate degree requiring a total of 120 units, designed to build strong artistic foundations while allowing students to specialize in painting, drawing, and printmaking. The curriculum includes general education requirements such as lower division GE (25 units), upper division GE (6 units), and American Institutions courses, along with physical education and writing requirements. Students begin with 24 units of major preparation, where they develop core artistic skills through courses like drawing, painting, digital media, photography, and art history, ensuring a well-rounded foundation in both traditional and modern techniques. The major requirements, totaling 52 units, focus on advancing artistic ability and conceptual understanding. Core courses introduce professional practices, contemporary art perspectives, and critical thinking, while upper-division art history courses deepen knowledge of global and modern art contexts. Students then engage in pictorial art studio courses such as expressive drawing, printmaking, and intermediate painting, followed by a wide range of studio electives that allow exploration in areas like sculpture, digital media, ceramics, and advanced painting techniques. Additional advanced studio electives help students refine their personal artistic style and technical expertise. The program emphasizes both historical traditions and contemporary practices, encouraging independent creative development through continuous feedback and critique. A key component is the capstone experience, consisting of a seminar and a final BFA project, where students create a professional-level body of work, often presented as an exhibition. Overall, this degree balances structured learning with creative freedom, preparing graduates for careers in fine arts or further study.