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.

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements36
World Languages and Cultures Requirements3-9
Major Requirements60-63
Free Electives21-12
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: Objects in Clay 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

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature3
3. Communication3
D. Fine and Performing Arts
Perceptual Drawing (Fulfilled in the major.)
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences
Modern Visions 1400-1945 (Fulfilled in the major. )
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
G. Computer Science
Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course.3
H. Mathematics
Complete a 3 credit Mathematics course.3
I. Natural Science Laboratory
Complete a 4 credit Natural Science Laboratory course.4
J. Physical Education
Complete a 1 credit Physical Education course.1
K. Social Science
1. American and European History 3
2. Global Cultural Perspectives3
3. Social Science Perspectives 3
L. Interdisciplinary Studies
Complete a 3 credit Interdisciplinary Studies course.3
Total Credits36

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. Requirement is automatically fulfilled by language major courses.3-6
World Cultures
Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. Requirement may also be fulfilled by major coursework. See list of courses.0-3
Total Credits3-9

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3GENERAL EDUCATION: (H) Mathematics3
ARFD 1013ARFD 1033
ARFD 1003ARFD 2003
ARFD 1043VIST 1063
VIST 1023 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (I) Natural Science Laboratory4GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History3
VIST 2053ENTR 201 or 2603
Lower Level Studio Elective 13Lower Level Studio Elective 33
Lower Level Studio Elective 23Free Elective or GENERAL EDUCATION: (L) Interdisciplinary Studies (if ENTR 260 is completed)3
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives3GENERAL EDUCATION: (G) Computer Science3
World Language 13World Language 23
VIST 3053ARST 3013
Lower Level Studio Elective 43ARST 3123
Upper Level Studio Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K2) Social Science – Social Science Perspectives3GENERAL EDUCATION: (J) Physical Education1
World Cultures3COED 401 or ARST 4503
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
ARST 4043ARST 4063
 15 13
Total Credits 120