The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in art — studio art emphasis develops students’ perceptual skills, technical making skills, creativity, and ability to think critically and independently. Students are encouraged to explore ideas between fine and applied arts methodologies and gain experiences in developing and applying skills and creativity outside the classroom. Instruction in use of art materials and specific art processes enables students to create original work reflecting their evolving vision. The degree program also facilitates broad cultural awareness of the visual arts in society through art history and criticism, the expectation of travel, and applied, real-world experiences required within the curriculum. Graduating majors are able to clearly express ideas through artworks via historical and contemporary aesthetic and technical models, along with developing a substantial vision for their own careers and/or creative possibilities in the 21st century art world.

The photo media concentration offers coursework in both analog and digital methods, including B&W darkroom printing, 19th century processes, studio lighting, large format shooting and printing, advanced digital manipulation, appropriation, and crossover with time-based media. A foundation in the fundamental aspects of photography is required, as well as an understanding of the historical and social context in which photography is encountered.

Program Requirements

A minimum total of 120 credit hours is required for the BFA in studio art and includes 84 credit hours of art and art history courses. Students must also meet the university’s scholastic, residence and General Education Program requirements for graduation.

A grade of C (2.000 grade points) or better is required in all major courses. A minimum GPA of 2.000 is required within the major.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the WSU General Education Program, students in the BFA in studio art must take the following courses. (One ARTH 125_ course may count as their fine arts general education course.)

Note: 45+ upper-division credit hours are required for graduation. Model programs of study are available in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries office and ADCI website².

Applied Learning

Students in the BFA in studio art program are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from the program. The requirement can be met by completing ARTS 599 Senior Exhibition.