COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art with a concentration in Applied Drawing is a 120-credit-hour professional degree designed for students seeking advanced artistic training and preparation for careers in contemporary visual arts and creative industries. The program requires 86 credit hours in art and art history, with students maintaining a minimum grade of C in all major courses and a minimum 2.0 GPA within the major. Students begin with a strong foundation in art and design through courses in two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design, drawing, and introductory art studies, followed by a Mid-Program Review that evaluates artistic development and readiness for advanced coursework. The curriculum provides broad exposure to artistic media through studies in photography, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, digital studio practices, and digital three-dimensional tools, helping students develop a versatile creative skill set. Art history coursework strengthens understanding of historical and contemporary artistic movements through introductory and advanced studies, including themes in contemporary art and design. As students progress, they complete interdisciplinary seminars, studio tools and presentation courses, and upper-level electives that encourage creative exploration and professional growth. The Applied Drawing concentration focuses on developing advanced drawing skills and contemporary visual storytelling through courses such as Life Drawing Studio, Intermediate Drawing, Mixed Media in Drawing, Painting with Narrative and Sequence, and The Moving Image. Students complete two advanced drawing studio courses that emphasize independent artistic development, conceptual thinking, and technical refinement. The program culminates with a Senior Project and Senior Exhibition, allowing students to create and publicly present a professional body of work that demonstrates artistic achievement and readiness for professional practice or graduate study. More than 45 upper-division credit hours are required, ensuring substantial advanced-level training. The curriculum combines traditional studio practices with contemporary artistic approaches, critical thinking, and professional presentation skills. Through intensive studio experiences, art history studies, interdisciplinary learning, and applied learning opportunities, graduates develop the creative, technical, and professional abilities needed for careers as professional artists, illustrators, designers, educators, gallery professionals, and creative entrepreneurs, while also establishing a strong foundation for advanced study in fine arts and related disciplines.