Art, BFA

Program Description

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is designed to provide professional development at the undergraduate level in the visual arts, through in-depth study in studio art. The degree requires a minimum of 75 semester hours in art, at least 36 of which must be in upper-division coursework.

Admission to the BFA is by special application. Such application can be made upon completion of 30 semester hours of art coursework and must be made before completion of 48 semester hours of art coursework. A portfolio consisting of ten to fifteen works representing a variety of media must be submitted in addition to the application form. Copies of specific BFA admission policies and instructions for submitting an application to the BFA program are available from the Department of Art website. Completed BFA applications should be submitted to the office of the Department Chair.

The purposes of the art curriculum are:

1. To provide a general program that allows students access to a variety of art media, studio techniques, and instruction;
2. To provide students with opportunities to study past and present forms of art and to understand the function of art in society;
3. To provide courses that will help expand the knowledge and interest of non-majors in the area of art; and
4. To contribute to the cultural life of the University and the community by presenting quality art exhibitions in the Weil Gallery.

Students can major in art in either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs. Students in the BFA have the option through electives to develop an emphasis beyond the general degree program in Printmaking, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography, Drawing, or Art History.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts leading to all-level Teacher Certification is available.

Two minors are also available. The minor in Studio Art is 21 semester hours and will allow a student to concentrate in one studio area. The minor in Art History is 18 semester hours. Interested students should contact the department academic advisor.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency with the elements and principles of design, applicable to the discipline(s) of their choosing. 
• Demonstrate competencies in studio processes, technologies, and equipment use applicable to their chosen field(s). 
• Demonstrate a familiarity with conceptual theories, key movements in art history, and contemporary art trends, synthesized into work produced for their graduating senior exhibitions.
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate in writing concepts that inspire personal artwork.

General Requirements

Specific Degree Requirements
All art majors must meet all general University and College graduation requirements, including University Seminar, regardless of the following specific degree requirements, unless specifically excused. All art degrees require ARTS 1303 Art History Survey I (3 sch), which also meets the Core Curriculum Program Fine Arts requirement. All and only coursework with the prefix ARTS will be included in the grade point average for the students declared major field of study.

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First-Year Seminars or Electives

Full-time, first time in college students are required to take the university seminar.

• USSE 1201 University Seminar (2 sch)

Program Requirements

Note:

A senior project is required of the BFA art major during the final semester as an undergraduate student. The student, with minimum assistance from the supervising faculty member, is expected to organize an exhibition of his or her work completed while a student at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The student must be registered in a related course with the faculty advisor during the semester in which the project is presented. Students in the BFA art program are expected to spend one additional hour per week in the studio for each semester hour of studio enrollment.

All art majors must meet all general University and College graduation requirements, including University Seminar, regardless of the following specific degree requirements, unless specifically excused. All art degrees require ARTS 1303 Art History Survey I (3 sch), which also meets the Core Curriculum Program Fine Arts requirement.  All and only coursework with the prefix ARTS will be included in the grade point average for the students declared major field of study.

All students graduating with a Bachelor of  Fine Arts Degree with Teachers Certification are required to submit an exit portfolio. The portfolio consists of 20 .jpg images that best represent their most successful coursework during their educational careers in the Department of Art. A written formal discussion of some aspect of their work  is also required.

The senior capstone class sets the standards and format and format for these materials and coordinates the collection of the materials. These materials are due on or before the last class day of the semester in which the students plan to graduate.

Course Sequencing

Courses