Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Department of Art, Art History, and Design

Undergraduate Programs
Studio Art - Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program with a major in studio art is a professional studio art program. Its emphasis is for students anticipating careers in the practice of art or design, or for students planning on graduate study in either field.

Admission

Students enrolled at Michigan State University are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art if they:

  1. have completed or are currently enrolled in all of their distribution requirements and;
  2. are in their second semester or later at Michigan State University or equivalent standing at another university, and have not yet earned their 30th credit in studio art.

To apply, students must submit an application consistent with the process outlined by the department. Applications will include a portfolio of artwork produced in studio art course work taken to date at Michigan State University. Exceptions will be considered for transfer students. Applications are due by the end of the eighth week of the spring semester and decisions will be made in time for annual enrollment. Fall semester applications will be reviewed as warranted. Oral interviews may be requested. Students denied admission may reapply one additional time.

For further information, visit www.art.msu.edu.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Studio Art major is met by completing Studio Art 492.  That course is referenced in item 3. a. (1) below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. The following Studio Art courses (66 to 69 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses:  Studio Art 110, 112, 113, 114, 300 or 391, 492, and 492A (18 credits).
    The completion of Studio Art 492 satisfies the capstone course requirement for the Studio Art major.
    (2) Four of the following courses including at least one course from each of the following three areas(12 credits):
    Two-Dimensional Area
    Painting: Studio Art 320
    Printmaking: Studio Art 330, 335
    Three-Dimensional Area
    Ceramics: Studio Art 340, 345
    Sculpture: Studio Art 350, 351, 354, 355
    Electronic Art and Intermedia and Photography Area
    Photography: Studio Art 370
    Electronic Art and Intermedia: Studio Art 380
    (3) A first concentration of at least 6 courses (including reenrollments) in one of the following subdisciplines including one concurrent enrollment in a corresponding Studio Art Senior Project course or an approved internship for at least 3 credits (18 credits): 
    Ceramics:  Studio Art 340, 345, 440, 491C.
    Electronic Art and Intermedia: Studio Art 380, 384, 385, 480, 491I.
    Painting:  Studio Art 320, 325, 420, 491A.
    Photography:  Studio Art 370, 375, 384, 472,  474, 475, 476, 491F.
    Printmaking:  Studio Art 330, 335, 439, 491B.
    Sculpture:  Studio Art 350, 351, 354, 355, 450, 491D.
    Studio Art Senior Project courses and Internships:
    Ceramics: Studio Art 440S.
    Electronic Art and Intermedia: Studio Art 480S, 488
    Painting: Studio Art 420S.
    Photography: Studio Art 472S, 474S, 475S, 476S.
    Printmaking: Studio Art 439S.
    Sculpture: Studio Art 450S.
    Studio Art: Studio Art 493A.
    (4) A second concentration of two Studio Art courses in one subdiscipline other than the one that was used to satisfy requirement 3. a. (3) above (6 credits).
    (5) Studio Art electives:  Additional credits in Studio Art or Graphic Design courses at the 300–400 level as needed to meet the requirement of at least 66, but not more than 69, credits in courses in the major.
    b. Art History and Visual Culture:  Four courses including the following (12 to 14 credits):
    (1) History of Art 101 and 102 (6 credits).
    (2) At least one course that includes the post-World War II period. History of Art 240, 251, 252, 261, 450, 452, 461 or other applicable History of Art courses approved by the advisor (3 or 4 credits).
    (3) One additional course in History of Art at the 200 or 400-level (3 or 4 credits).
    A course that is listed in requirements 3.a.(2) and (3) may be counted toward both of those requirements.