Art - Fine Art (BFA)

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Departmental Admission Requirements

Primarily intended for professionally oriented art and design students, and for those planning to pursue graduate work in the studio arts or to assume leadership positions in the fields of graphic or interior design, the BFA degree provides the opportunity for students to go into more depth in their chosen area. 

Admission is selective, and enrollments may be limited. Enrolled University of Louisville students approved as majors in the BA program, Art track, in the Department of Art and Design may apply for admission to the BFA program upon completion of the Foundations courses and the introductory course to the track area they are interested in applying for. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in department (studio art and art history) courses and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Once admitted, students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5 or above and a 3.0 or above in department courses to remain enrolled in the BFA program.

Students who meet the BFA application requirements should contact the department to apply to the program (hite@louisville.edu).

Students who do not meet the GPA requirements will be placed on departmental probation and given one semester in which to raise their GPA. If unable to meet the GPA requirements within that time frame, students will be returned to the BA program, Art track. If removed, students may reapply to the BFA program once the GPA requirements have been met.

Upon admission to the BFA Program, students and faculty will complete and sign a BFA Student/Mentor Contract outlining the progress expected toward completion of the degree. If at any point during the student’s study the mentor deems the student’s progress and/or ability to meet his/her obligations as a student in the BFA program unsatisfactory that mentor has the right to resign his/her post as mentor. In this instance, a student must seek another mentor or transfer back into the BA program, Art track. If a student requests a different mentor and no faculty agrees to work with them the student will be returned to the BA program, Art track.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For the BFA candidate in Studio Art, this includes a committee review of the candidate’s work one semester prior to graduation and participation in the BFA exhibition held during the semester of graduation. For the BFA candidate in Graphic Design or Interior Design, this includes participation in the professional portfolio review at the end of their professional practice course.

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements *31
The following courses are required by the program and satisfy the respective General Education Requirement(s):
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2

*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

Arts & Sciences Requirements
GEN 100Student Success Center First Year Experience1
or GEN 101 Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
Electives in Natural Sciences or Social Sciences 19
WR—two approved courses at the 300 level or above 2
Minimum Total Hours10

Program/Major Requirements

Department of Fine Arts
ART 105Foundation 2-D Design3
ART 106Foundation 3-D Design3
ART 107Foundation Drawing3
Select one of the following:3
Foundation Interior Design 3
Foundation Graphic Design 4
Foundation Art Concepts and Methods 5
Foundation Figure Drawing 5
Select two of the following: 66
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2
Art History electives at the 300 level or above 73-6
Studio Art electives at the 300 level 86
Minimum Total Hours27-30
Supporting Courses
Electives in Humanities disciplines, other than Art or Art History, at the 300 level or above9-15
WR Elective in Humanities discipline, other than Art or Art History, at the 300 level or above3
Minimum Electives 90-2
Minimum Total Hours14-20
Studio Art Track (See Track Requirements tab)33-36

60 hours minimum Art/Art History total for Interior Design track; 66 hours minimum total for Graphic Design track; 63 hours minimum total for Studio Art track. At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.

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

Culminating Undergraduate Experience (Graduation requirement)
Track in Interior Design requirement fulfilled by completing:
Professional Development in Interior Design - CUE
Track in Graphic Design requirement fulfilled by completing:
Professional Development in Graphic Design - CUE
Track in Studio Art requirement fulfilled by completing:
Professional Development in Studio Arts - CUE
1

In addition to courses counting towards General Education; 6 hours must be at 300 level or above.

2

May be incorporated into other degree requirements.

3

Students planning to study Interior Design must take DES 204 Foundation Interior Design (fall semester) concurrently with DES 361 Introduction to Interior Design.

4

Students planning to study Graphic Design must take DES 205 Foundation Graphic Design (spring semester).

5

Students planning to study Studio Art may choose either ART 206 Foundation Art Concepts and Methods (spring semester) or ART 207 (fall semester).

6

Fulfills General Education AH requirement.

7

BFA Graphic Design students must take DES 301 History of Graphic Design and a 300-level elective. BFA Interior Design students must take DES 347 Historic Interiors for Interior Design. BFA Studio Art students must take 6 elective hours at the 300-level. 

8

BFA Interior Design students must take DES 361 and DES 362 Color Theory and Human Factors in Interior Design; BFA Graphic Design students must take DES 373 Introduction to Visualization and a 300-level elective. BFA Studio Art students must take 6 elective hours at the 300-level. 

9

BFA Graphic Design and BFA Interior Design students may have elective hours. Students who fulfill general education requirements with courses in the major or supporting courses may have electives. To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements may need to be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements may require additional hours to complete the degree requirements or decrease the listed electives.

Track Requirements


Track in Interior Design

Academic Plan Code(s): ART_BFAIAR

DES 559Computer Applications for Interiors I3
DES 561Interior Design Studio I3
DES 562Interior Design Studio II3
DES 563Interior Design Studio III3
DES 564Interior Design Studio IV3
DES 565Directed Projects in Interior Design3
DES 566Interiors Construction3
DES 567Interior Finishes3
DES 568Building Systems3
DES 569Computer Applications for Interiors II3
DES 596Professional Development in Interior Design - CUE3
Minimum Total Hours33

Track in Graphic Design 

Academic Plan Code(s): ART_BFACOA

DES 571Typography I3
DES 572Typography II3
DES 573Typography III3
DES 576Interaction Design I3
DES 580Design for Public Issues II3
DES 594Directed Projects in Design3
DES 598Professional Development in Graphic Design - CUE3
Electives in Graphic Design
Select two of the following:6
Information Visualization
Design for Public Issues I
Interaction Design II
Human Experience In Design
Special Topics in Design
Electives in Studio Art
Select two of the following:6
Introduction to Printmaking
Introduction to Black and White Photography
Studio Practice in Printmaking
Lighting
Digital Photography
Experimental Photography I
Electives in Studio Art or Art History at the 300-level or above3
Minimum Total Hours36

Track in Studio Art

Academic Plan Code(s): ART_BFASTA

Students will select a minimum of five 500-level courses from all 2D or 3D studio areas (excluding Graphic Design and Interior Design).

Track Requirements/Core
ART 597Professional Development in Studio Arts - CUE3
Select a minimum of five courses (15 hours) from the following 2D or 3D studio areas:15
Concepts in Painting
Advanced Concepts in Painting
Special Topics in Painting
Directed Study in Painting
Advanced Figure Drawing
Themes and Concepts in Drawing
Directed Study in Drawing
Studio Practice in Printmaking
Digital Printmaking
Directed Study in Printmaking
Lighting
Digital Photography
Experimental Photography I
Directed Study in Photography
Experimental Photography II
Advanced Glassmaking Techniques
Directed Study in Glass
Practice of Sculpture
Sculpture Strategies
Directed Study in Sculpture
Advanced Ceramics: Wheelthrowing
Advanced Ceramics: Sculptural Forms
Clay Glazes and Firing
Directed Study in Ceramics
Advanced Fiber/Surface Design
Advanced Fiber/ Mixed Media Art
Papermaking
Directed Study in Fiber and Mixed Media Art
Electives
15 hours of Studio Art (ART) or Art History (ARTH) at the 300-level or above15
Minimum Total Hours33

Flight Plan


Track in Graphic Design

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
ART 105
Foundation 2-D Design
or Foundation 3-D Design
3
ART 107 Foundation Drawing 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
 Hours17
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3
ART 105
Foundation 2-D Design
or Foundation 3-D Design
3
DES 205 Foundation Graphic Design 3
Select one of the following: 3
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2
 Hours15
Year 2
Fall
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
DES 373 Introduction to Visualization 3
DES 571 Typography I 3
DES 301 History of Graphic Design 3
Select one of the following: 3
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2
 Hours15
Spring
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences - SBD1 3
DES 572 Typography II 3
DES 576 Interaction Design I 3
General Elective 3
 Hours15
Year 3
Fall
DES 573 Typography III 3
Graphic Design Elective (500 level from list) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective 3
Art elective (300 level or above from list) 3
Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Spring
DES 580 Design for Public Issues II 3
Art elective (300 level) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity - AHD2 3
WR elective (300 level or above) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
DES 594 Directed Projects in Design 3
Graphic Design Elective (500 level from list)
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
Art or Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
Art elective (300 level or above from list) 3
General Elective 2
 Hours14
Spring
DES 598 Professional Development in Graphic Design - CUE 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities WR Elective (300 level or above) 3
General Elective 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours121

Track in Interior Design

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
ART 105
Foundation 2-D Design
or Foundation 3-D Design
3
ART 107 Foundation Drawing 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
 Hours14
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences US Diversity - SBD1 3
ART 105
Foundation 2-D Design
or Foundation 3-D Design
3
Select one of the following: 3
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2
 Hours15
Year 2
Fall
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
DES 204 Foundation Interior Design 3
DES 361 Introduction to Interior Design 3
Select one of the following: 3
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2
 Hours15
Spring
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity - AHD2 3
General Elective 3
DES 362 Color Theory and Human Factors in Interior Design 3
DES 561 Interior Design Studio I 3
DES 567 Interior Finishes 3
 Hours18
Year 3
Fall
Social Science or Natural Science elective 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
DES 559 Computer Applications for Interiors I 3
DES 562 Interior Design Studio II 3
DES 566
Interiors Construction
or Building Systems
3
 Hours15
Spring
Humanities WR elective (300 level or above) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
DES 563 Interior Design Studio III 3
DES 569 Computer Applications for Interiors II 3
DES 347 Historic Interiors for Interior Design 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
DES 564 Interior Design Studio IV 3
DES 566
Interiors Construction
or Building Systems
3
 Hours15
Spring
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities WR Elective (300 level or above) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
DES 565 Directed Projects in Interior Design 3
DES 596 Professional Development in Interior Design - CUE 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122

Track in Studio Art

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Science-S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab 1
ART 105
Foundation 2-D Design
or Foundation 3-D Design
3
ART 107 Foundation Drawing 3
 Hours14
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning-QR 3
ART 105
Foundation 2-D Design
or Foundation 3-D Design
3
May select the following OR choose ART 207 in the Fall, Year 2. (Note: If you select ART 207 in the Fall, Year 2, you may replace this course with an ART Studio 300 level elective.) 3
Foundation Art Concepts and Methods
Select one of the following: 3
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2
 Hours15
Year 2
Fall
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences-S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social and Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective US Diversity-SBHD1 3
ART 207 Foundation Figure Drawing (If you took ART 206 in Year 1, Spring, replace this course with an Art Studio 300 level Elective). 3
Select one of the following: 3
Ancient Through Medieval Art - AH
Renaissance Through Modern Art - AH
Survey of Asian Art - AH, D2
Art Studio Elective (300 level) 3
 Hours15
Spring
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication-OC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts and Humanities-AH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social and Behavioral Sciences Global Diversity-SBD2 3
Art Studio elective (500 level) 3
Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Year 3
Fall
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
Art Studio elective (500 level) 3
Art or Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Spring
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities WR elective 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Art Studio elective (500 level) 3
Art or Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Art Studio elective (500 level) 3
Art or Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
Art or Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective 3
 Hours18
Spring
Humanities elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities WR elective (300 level or above) 3
Art Studio elective (500 level) 3
Art or Art History elective (300 level or above) 3
ART 597 Professional Development in Studio Arts - CUE 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122

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.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

  1. Log into your ULink account.
  2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
  3. Select the appropriate report.
    1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
    2. To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."
    3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

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