Art, Studio (BFA)

College: Fine Arts
Degree: BFA
Specialized Admission: Yes

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Florida State is a 120-credit hour limited-access program that offers students an intensive studio art environment, theoretical knowledge and professional skills. The Department of Art provides instruction in the skills necessary for artistic creation, and guides students to an understanding of contemporary issues in the visual arts in an academically challenging environment. Our unique program offers specialized coursework that focuses on professional practice for a career in art. The BFA shares FSU’s mission as a research university cultivating excellence through creative scholarship and innovation in the arts. This rigorous program offers reviews each semester by faculty. The culmination of these reviews and faculty support results in artworks that grows in sophistication through art-based academic research and exhibition. Major media concentrations may include drawing, digital art, design, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, and photography.

Course selection encompasses history, theory, and practice. Studies may include ceramics, electronic media, design, drawing, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Depending upon personal development, students may choose to work in a variety of media or in the case of BFA to concentrate in an area of interest. Each degree program mandates specific entry requirements, a certain sequence of courses, and graduation requirements.

Prerequisite Coursework

All of the following courses must be completed with a C minus or higher. These courses may also be used to meet General Education and major course requirements.

Studio/Fine Arts
ART X201 (3) or ART XXXX (3) 2 D
ART X202 (3) or ART X203 (3) or ART XXXX (3) Design II, 3D
ART X300 (3) Drawing Foundations
ARH X050 (3) History and Criticism of Art I
ARH X051 (3) History and Criticism of Art II
6 additional hours with ART prefix

Though students may be admitted before completing all of these courses, all must be completed prior to graduation.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.

Requirements

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major

All entering students must meet appropriate minimum standards through a review of an art portfolio before being granted admission to the Studio Art BFA program within the College of Fine Arts. The procedure for application and admission deadline to this program may be obtained from the BFA advisor. Students accepted as a freshman into the program must have the required English and mathematics courses successfully completed by the end of their sophomore year, each with a final grade of C minus or higher. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to have completed an A.A. degree.

Admission Requirements to the BFA in Studio Art

The BFA in Studio Art is a Specialized Admission/Limited Enrollment program. Admission is highly selective. Separate applications must be made to The Florida State University Office of Admissions and to the Department of Art.

We accept students in fall and spring and BA's may apply to transfer into the program.

The application consists of the following items: the on-line application, résumé, a portfolio of 20 images, an artist statement, and a statement of purpose (a 500 to 1,000-word essay describing the applicant’s background, artistic experiences, creative influences, personal objectives, and future career goals).

Once admitted into the BFA, students must maintain a “B” average in all major requirements. Progression in the major will depend on a student’s studio maintenance and usage, talents, skills, professional discipline, and academic record, including a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above. A student’s work and commitment are under continuous review, and any student who fails to maintain high standards will be dismissed from the program.

Academic Performance and Retention

The Department of Art reserves the right to discontinue enrollment of art major students at any time if satisfactory academic progress is not being made. Students who have accumulated three unsatisfactory grades (U, F, D minus, D, D+) in art courses taken for college credit at Florida State University or elsewhere will not be permitted to continue, be readmitted, or graduate with a major in studio art. Courses in which a grade below the minimum is received may only be repeated once. Repeated courses designated as non-repeatable (such as foundations courses) will not be counted toward overall credit hours per University requirements. BFA students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a 3.0 in studio art and design classes. If a BFA student falls below these standards, s/he is placed on departmental probation for the following semester. If the student’s course grade or GPA remains below the minimum standards at the end of the probationary semester, s/he is will not be permitted to continue in the Department of Art. The Department of Art retains the right to refuse admission or terminate enrollment at any time if a student fails to maintain the standards of the program.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (55-79 hours)

Foundation Requirements for all degrees (16 hours)

May be taken at community college or in lower division.

ART 1000 (1) Success Strategies in Art and Design
ART 1201C (3) Two-Dimensional Foundations
ART 1203 (3) Three-Dimensional Foundations
ART 1300C (3) Drawing Foundations
ART 2204C (3) Contemporary Art Foundations
ART 1602C (3) Digital Foundations

Additional requirements for BFA degree in Studio Art: (64 hours)

Admission by Art faculty review. Consult BFA Director for deadlines and procedure.

Studio Courses: 52 hours in studio art. (This includes the 1-credit BFA Fundamentals)

Art History: 12 hours (ARH 2050, ARH 2051, plus two ARH electives)

Note: BFA students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in art and design courses.

Digital Literacy: 0 hours beyond major.
ART 1602C (3) meets this requirement.

Oral Communication Competency: 3 hours beyond major.
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required: 120
General Education: 36*
Prerequisite Coursework: 0* beyond other requirements
Major Coursework: 55-79
Minor Coursework: None
Digital Literacy: 0 beyond major requirements
Oral Communication Competency: 3 credits beyond major requirements
Electives to bring total hours to minimum of 120 hours

*Six hours of the required Art History courses may also be applied toward General Education

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors.

Remarks
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job titles Related to this Major: Bachelor's level: Studio artist(photographer, printmaker, painter, sculptor), Art critic, Arts Agency administrator, Art teacher(K-12), Commercial or freelance photographer, Art director, Creative director, Book/magazine illustrator, Children's book illustrator, Corporate or institutional illustrator, Medical/Scientific illustrator, Digital media artist, 3D modeling animator, Character designer, Interactive media designer, Game designer, Animator, Video Editor, Video game artist, Print/ Web designer, Graphic designer, Graphic novelist, Concept artist, Furniture or jewelry designer, Conservator, Gallery manager, Exhibition designer, Muralist, Portrait Painter, Photo editor, Photo retoucher, Art Handler, Book designer, Fabric Designer, Audio Visual Specialist, Picture Framer, Arts Council Director.

Representative Employers: Publishing Houses, Display Firms, Advertising Agencies, Design Studios, Magazines, Architectural Firms, Corporate Design, Universities & Colleges, Museums, Art Centers, Art Galleries, Electronic Media.