Art (BA)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2022–Spring 2023 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Arts in Art
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Art and Design
Academic Plan Code(s): ART BA, ART BA STA, ART BA ARH (Track in Art History) 

Program Information

The Department of Art and Design, endowed as the Hite Institute of Art and Design, offers the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with two tracks: Studio Art and Art History.

The Studio Art track is a mixed-media program primarily intended for art students who wish to receive a broad experience in studio practice within the context of a liberal arts education. Areas of study include ceramics, drawing, fiber/mixed media, glass, new media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and special topics.

The Art History track introduces students to the history and appreciation of the visual arts and provides students with an in-depth understanding of the history of art, architecture, and visual culture — their production, circulation, and reception — while teaching them to interrogate visuality more broadly. Areas of study include Renaissance and Baroque Art in Italy, Spain, and Northern Europe; Mexican Art; 19th and 20th Century Architecture; American Art; Film; Modern, Contemporary western, and Contemporary Art and Theory; and Asian and Non-western Art and Architecture. Courses are also offered in curatorial studies, historic interiors, the history of drawing and prints, the history of photography, and the history of graphic design.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.

Degree Summary

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Accelerated BA/MA in Art History
Students enrolled in the BA in Art track in Art History who are considering pursuing a master's degree (MA) in Art History can speed up the process by applying some of their undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree. Students accepted into the Accelerated BA/MA program take three 500-level graduate courses (nine (9) credit hours) as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor's degree and the eventual master's degree. 

Interested students must apply to the program no later than the end of their junior year to be eligible to enroll in graduate coursework in their final year of the program. Students must have at least a 3.0 university grade point average when they apply and must maintain a 3.0 once accepted. Once admitted to the accelerated BA/MA program, students are expected to maintain a full graduate load of nine (9) credit hours. 

Once accepted into the program, students complete nine (9) credit hours of 500-level graduate coursework during their final year of undergraduate studies. They then graduate with a bachelor's degree and move straight into the University of Louisville Master of Arts program. Students in the accelerated program must meet all of the requirements for the Master of Arts, including completing at least 12 credit hours of their 31 credit hour program in 600-level courses.

Departmental Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to the Department of Art and Design, students must:

1. Be admitted to the University in Good Standing,
2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5,
3. Meet the minimum overall grade point standards for the College of Arts & Sciences.

In addition, a grade of D in any department course at the 300 level or above may not be used to fulfill a departmental requirement. A grade of C-minus or better is required in all 300- and 500-level courses in the major. 

Enrolled University of Louisville students may apply for major via ULink. Incoming and transfer students must be accepted by the University first, and then may apply for major.

Studio art courses may be restricted to majors only.

General Education Requirements

*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

A grade of C-minus or better is required in all 300-level and 500-level courses in the major.

40 hours minimum total for Studio Art track; 36 hours minimum total for Art History track.

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.

Track Requirements

Track in Studio Art 

Academic Plan Code(s): ART BA STA

Track in Art History

Academic Plan Code(s): ART BA ARH

Of the total 33 hours in Art History (inclusive of program/major requirements), 15 hours must be at the 300 level or above and 12 hours must be at the 500 level.
A maximum of 4 hours in Art History or Studio Art may be used in the free electives.
Total minimum electives: 14 hours

Flight Pan

Track in Studio Art

Track in Art History

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan.  What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

To create either report:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Next, click on "View my Degree Audit" to run a Degree Audit report in the Undergraduate Advising area. 
4. To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, or create a What-if report.

Flight Planner
Based on your major, the Flight Planner tool may be available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan.  The Flight Planner can be found in the ULink Student Center.  Consult with your advisor for assistance with the Flight Planner.