The BFA in art practices is a more in-depth degree intended for motivated students interested in and committed to pursuing a professional career in the arts. Students gain training in studio techniques and post-studio practice, an overview of historical and contemporary artists and movements, and an introduction to criticism. Additionally, students participate in the BFA Seminar, are eligible to enroll in the Visiting Artist Seminar and present work in the culminating BFA exhibition.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
The BFA is a highly selective program. Only art majors may apply to the program with a portfolio and application materials, which are reviewed once in the fall and once in the spring.
For application information, please visit the department's website. For overall degree requirements, students should run a degree audit and consult with their advisor. Students must have completed or be in progress of completing 24 credits in the major to apply for the BFA.
Required Courses and Credits
Students must complete 57 credits toward the major, of which at least 12 upper-division credits must have been completed at CU Boulder.
Students must present and pass a portfolio review to be eligible for the BFA degree (a minimum of 24 ARTS/ARTH credits are required to be completed or in progress to apply).
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Studio Art Sequence | ||
| ARTS 1010 & ARTS 1020 | Introduction to Studio Art and Introduction to Studio Art 2 | 6 |
| Introductory Art History Sequence | ||
| ARTH 1500 & ARTH 1600 | Global Art and Visual Culture and U.S. Art Across Cultures | 6 |
| Studio Art Courses | ||
| Two 2000-level studio courses in area of emphasis | 6 | |
| Upper-division studio courses | 18 | |
| ARTS 4117 | BFA Seminar | 3 |
| Upper-division Art History Courses | ||
| Any two 3000- or 4000-level ARTH courses | 6 | |
| Major Electives | ||
| Upper- or lower-division electives in ARTS or ARTH | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 57 | |
Students must also complete at least 12 upper-division ARTS/ARTH courses on the Boulder campus after starting the program.
Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study
Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress toward a BFA in studio arts or divisional studio arts, students should meet the following requirements:
- Declare the major by the beginning of the first semester, freshman year.
- By the end of the third semester, complete ARTS 1010 , ARTS 1020 , ARTH 1500 and ARTH 1600, two 2000-level courses and one lower-division or upper-division studio or art history course (21 credit hours).
- Apply for the BFA in the fourth or fifth semester, with a minimum of 24 credit hours in the major.
- By the end of the sixth semester, complete up to 48 credit hours in the major.
- A total of 12 credit hours in ARTS/ARTH electives are required. Up to 6 credit hours of electives may be taken outside the department with advisor permission.
Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Arts & Humanities area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, as well as fulfilling both categories (Global Perspective and U.S. Perspective) of the Gen Ed Diversity Requirement.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ARTS 1010 | Introduction to Studio Art | 3 |
| ARTH 1500 | Global Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) | 3-5 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTS 1020 | Introduction to Studio Art 2 | 3 |
| ARTH 1600 | U.S. Art Across Cultures | 3 |
| Gen Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARTS Studio Emphasis, 2000 level course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) | 4 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTS Studio Emphasis, 2000 level course | 3 | |
| ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) | 3 | |
| ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) | 3 | |
| ARTH Upper-Division course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) - Upper-division | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Note: Student has reached 24 credit hours of ARTS/ARTH courses and may apply for the BFA. | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) | 3 | |
| ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) | 3 | |
| ARTH/ARTS Elective | 3 | |
| ARTH/ARTS Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) | 3 | |
| ARTH/ARTS Elective - Upper-division | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTH Upper-Division course | 3 | |
| ARTS 4117 | BFA Seminar | 3 |
| ARTH/ARTS Elective - Upper-division | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution Course (example: Social Sciences) - Upper-division | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121-123 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Creativity and making: Students will be able to generate novel and intentional ideas, and demonstrate those ideas through making art that is responsive to their own interests and the world around them.
- Disciplinary skill and technique: Students will demonstrate mastery of the skills and techniques intrinsic to at least one chosen discipline.
- Recognize current and historical frameworks: Students will examine the historical and contemporary issues surrounding their art, the art of others and the broader global art discourse.
- Develop criticality and analyze complexity: Students will communicate in dialogue and in writing the multilayered concepts and relative contexts of their own and other’s art.
- Develop concepts, understand contexts, synthesize research: Students will demonstrate curiosity, initiative, rigor and persistence, while seeking knowledge. Students will be able to work independently or collaboratively to achieve their goals.