Visual Arts (B.A.)

The Visual Arts Major is most suited for students seeking a diversified academic experience combined with a focus in art. Approximately one-third of the curriculum is based in studio courses and two-thirds in general education subjects, allowing students to explore their studio concentration within the context of a broad liberal arts education. The program is based in the Department of Art and Design. For further information, go to: Visual Arts, (BA).

Unless otherwise noted, 120 credits of coursework is required for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum 2.0 major GPA.

Degree Requirements Overview

SEEDS General Education Requirements31-33
New Student Seminar1
Major Requirements60-63
Free Electives28-23
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Department Core Requirements
ARFD 101Surface3
ARFD 103Color and Light3
VIST 102Visual Culture3
Program Core Requirements
ARFD 100Perceptual Drawing3
ARFD 104Space3
ARFD 200Time3
ARST 301Integrative Studio I3
ARST 312Art Forum3
ARST 404Integrative Studio II3
ARST 406Integrative Studio III3
VIST 106Modern Visions 1400-19453
VIST 205History of Contemporary Art3
VIST 305Theories of Looking: Critical Theory and Visual Culture3
ENTR 201The Entrepreneurial Mindset and Innovation3
or ENTR 260 Introduction to Innovation and 3D Printing
COED 401Cooperative Education Experience I3
or ARST 450 Professional Practices in the Visual Arts
Lower Level Major Electives
Complete four courses from the list below.12
Upper Level Major Elective
Complete one course from the list below.3-6
Total Credits60-63

Lower Level Major Electives

ARST 203Accessory Design for Majors3
ARST 208Ceramics for Majors3
ARST 209Sculpture for Majors3
ARST 214Painting for Majors3
ARST 215Digital Photography for Majors3
ARST 216Printmaking for Majors3

Upper Level Major Electives

ARED 463Art in the Community3
ARGS 480Field Trip in Studio2-8
ARST 305Commercial Photography3
ARST 308Aural Electronics3
ARST 309Art and Games3
ARST 321Ceramics and Digital Prototyping3
ARST 322Visual Programming3
ARST 450Professional Practices in the Visual Arts (only available as an elective if COED 401 has been completed in the Program Core.)3
ENTR 301Creating Your Startup Business Model3
ENTR 360Advanced Innovation and Digitally Mediated Making3
ENTR 460Applied Digital Innovation Design, and Lean Fabrication3

New Student Seminar

Students in the Adult Learner program must take GNED 100.
Complete one course from the following. Some courses may be restricted by major. Consult with an academic advisor.1
Pathways to Success
Freshman Seminar in Chemistry
First Year Seminar
Adult Academic Success Seminar
New Student Seminar
Freshman Seminar in Health and Physical Education
Pathways to Adult Learning
New Student Seminar
New Student Experience for Mathematical Sciences
Freshman Seminar for Music Majors
Introduction to Nursing
Freshman Seminar in Political Science and Law

SEEDS General Education Requirements

Click here for a listing of courses that fulfill the SEEDS requirements.

Foundations
Effective Writing I
Complete one Effective Writing I course.3
Effective Writing II
Complete one Effective Writing II course.3
Interactive Communication
Complete one Interactive Communication course.3
Quantitative Reasoning
Complete one Quantitative Reasoning course.3
Political and Civic Life
Complete one Political and Civic Life course.3
World Languages
Complete two sequential classes in one World Language when starting at the Beginner I or Beginner II level. Complete one class when starting at the Intermediate/Advanced Level. 3-6
Exploration
Complete one course from four different Exploration categories. 12
Analyzing Cultures and Societies
Creative Expression
Ethical Inquiry
Historical Thinking
Literary and Artistic Analysis
Scientific Reasoning
Total Credits30-33

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This recommended degree plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years and 120 credits. This plan is a recommendation and MUST be used in consultation with their academic advisor. Important note: Students should be aware this plan assumes no pre-requisite coursework is required. If pre-requisite coursework is needed, students may have additional requirements to fulfill which do not appear on the plan.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARFD 1013ARFD 1033
VIST 1023ARFD 2003
ARFD 100 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration - Creative Expression)3VIST 106 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration - Literary and Artistic Analysis)3
ARFD 1043SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning3
New Student Seminar1 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
VIST 2053ENTR 201 or 2603
SEEDS: Interactive Communication3SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3
SEEDS: Exploration 33SEEDS: Exploration 43
Lower Level Studio Elective 13Lower Level Studio Elective 33
Lower Level Studio Elective 23Free Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
VIST 3053ARST 3013
SEEDS: World Language 13ARST 3123
Lower Level Studio Elective 43SEEDS: World Language 23
Upper Level Studio Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARST 4043ARST 4063
Free Elective3ARST 450 or COED 4013
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective2
 15 14
Total Credits 120