Studio Art Programs / Degrees / Requirements

Studio Art Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. A Bachelor of Arts, BA degree, is also available. [Major/Minor Requirements Brochure - pdf]

BFA in Studio Art

The Bachelor of Fine Arts provides a pre-professional introduction to the visual arts with a greater degree of concentration on courses in the studio area. For the BFA in Studio Art, the student must fulfill all general requirements as described in the liberal arts curriculum including those of the Newcomb-Tulane College core with the following exceptions: two courses required in the sciences and mathematics category instead of three; and two courses required in the social science category instead of three.

The BFA requires at least 51 art credits, of which a minimum of 42 must be in studio courses, including three courses from among six in the Foundations of Art series. (If two foundation courses are taken in 2-D areas, the third must be taken in a 3-D area or vice versa.) The studio requirements are 1050 and 1060; at least six electives at the 2000 level or higher, four of which must be in an area of concentration. Also, required are ARST 5010 and 5020 that constitute the BFA thesis and the senior capstone experience. Additionally, three courses in art history are required: Art History 1010, 1020, and one additional course. No more than half of required studio and art history courses can be transferred into the degree program.

BFA in Studio Art requires a total of 51 credits:

  • 42 required credits in studio courses
    • ARST 1050 - Beginning Drawing I
    • ARST 1060 - Beginning Drawing II
    • Foundations of Art - 2D area
    • Foundations of Art - 3D area
    • Foundations of Art - 2D or 3D area
    • Elective # 1 - beyond the 1000 level (in a single area of emphasis)
    • Elective # 2 - beyond the 1000 level (in a single area of emphasis)
    • Elective # 3 - beyond the 1000 level (in a single area of emphasis)
    • Elective # 4 - beyond the 1000 level (in a single area)
    • Elective # 5 - beyond the 1000 level (in any area)
    • Elective # 6 - beyond the 1000 level (in any area)
    • ARST 5010 Major Project (offered only in Fall semester)
    • ARST 5020 Major Project (offered only in Spring semester)
    • ARST 4930 Capstone (offered only in Spring semester)
  • 9 required credits in art history
    • ARHS 1010 - Art Survey I
    • ARHS 1020 - Art Survey II
    • ARHS Elective - Contemporary/Modern- 19th Century or later

Transfer students wishing advanced standing in studio courses toward the BFA are required to submit representative examples of the work done for which credit has been received at another institution. Incoming first-year students who expect to be art majors are advised to take Art Studio 1050 and three foundations courses during their first year. At the end of the sophomore year, the art department studio faculty will assign an adviser. Candidates for the BFA. are allowed to take only one level of a studio course sequence in summer school.

Declaration of the BFA major is contingent on the acceptance by the faculty and must be done at least one year before graduation. Review of applications will take place once at the end of each semester. Applications must include: (1) major declaration form; (2) current degree audit sheet; (3) portfolio of 5-10 pieces of artwork in any medium. The faculty strongly suggests that the student meet with his/her major studio professor before initiating this process. Accepted candidates will then be reviewed and evaluated during the spring semester of their junior year and late in the fall semester of their senior year.

BA in Studio Art

For a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, the student must fulfill all general requirements as described in the liberal arts curriculum including those of the Newcomb-Tulane College core. In addition, the BA in Studio Art program requires a total of 39 credits. The BA requires 30 credits in studio courses including three courses from among six in the Foundations of Art Series. (If two foundations courses are taken in 2-D areas, the third must be taken in a 3-D area or vice-versa.) Also required are 1050 and 1060. Of the remaining 12 studio credits, at least 9 credits must be in one area beyond the 1000 level, three credits may be in any other studio area above the 1000 level the remaining three credits must be fulfilled with the department capstone course (ARST 4930 offered only in the spring semester). Also 9 credits in art history are required; these include Art History 1010 and 1020. No more than half of required studio and art history courses can be transferred into the degree program.

BA in Studio Art requires a total of 39 credits:

  • 30 required credits in studio courses
    • ARST 1050 - Beginning Drawing I
    • ARST 1060 - Beginning Drawing II
    • Foundations of Art - 2D area
    • Foundations of Art - 3D area
    • Foundations of Art - 2D or 3D area
    • Elective # 1 - beyond the 1000 level (in a single area of emphasis)
    • Elective # 2 - beyond the 1000 level (in a single area of emphasis)
    • Elective # 3 - beyond the 1000 level (in any area)
    • Elective # 4 - beyond the 1000 level (in any area)
    • ARST 4930 Capstone
  • 9 required credits in art history
    • ARHS 1010 - Art Survey I
    • ARHS 1020 - Art Survey II
    • ARHS Elective - Contemporary/Modern- 19th Century or later

Minor in Studio Art

A minor in St​udio Art consists of seven courses: five in studio art and two in art history. Required: Drawing 1050, one 1000 level two-dimensional course (digital arts, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking), one 1000 three-dimensional course (ceramics, glass, sculpture), and two additional courses: one course at the 2000 level and one course at the 3000 level. Also required are two art history courses, 1020 recommended. The minor requires a total of 21 credit hours. No more than half of the required studio and art history courses can be transferred into the minor program.