COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art at Southeast Missouri State University is an intensive 84-credit-hour program designed for students seeking professional-level training in studio art. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA within the major and a grade of C or better in all courses, reflecting its rigorous and career-focused nature.The curriculum begins with Foundation Courses, which build essential artistic skills and visual understanding. These include Drawing I and II, 2D and 3D Design, Digital Literacy for Art and Design, and Color Composition. Students must also complete a Foundation Review after finishing these courses, demonstrating their readiness to advance in the program. This review is a critical milestone and requires a minimum passing score.The Core Requirements expand students’ experience across multiple studio disciplines. Courses such as Introduction to Photography and New Media, Painting I, Sculpture I, and Ceramics I ensure exposure to diverse artistic mediums. Students also complete Professional Practices in Visual Art, which prepares them for careers by focusing on portfolio development, exhibitions, and professional skills. Additional course choices in advanced drawing, graphic design, or printmaking allow students to further refine their techniques.Art history is an important component of the program. Students complete Art History Survey I and II, along with upper-level art history electives, helping them understand the cultural, historical, and theoretical context of their work.A defining feature of the BFA is the Required Specialization, where students focus deeply on one area such as ceramics, graphic and interactive design, painting, photography and new media, printmaking and fibers, or sculpture. This specialization allows students to develop expertise and a strong, cohesive portfolio. Additional art electives provide further flexibility to explore related interests.Students are also required to submit work annually to the Juried Student Assessment Exhibition, gaining real-world experience in presenting and evaluating their art. Overall, the program combines technical mastery, creative exploration, and professional development, preparing graduates for careers as artists, designers, or for advanced study in fine arts.