Studio Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts
School of Art
College of Arts and Letters
- Available Emphasis Areas:
- Ceramics - Emphasis
- Painting - Emphasis
- Printmaking - Emphasis
- Sculpture - Emphasis
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To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 84 units of major requirements which include 30 units of emphasis requirements.
- Note that PHO courses, ART 100, ART 101 and ART 300 do not fulfill the requirements of the B.F.A. major.
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The BFA degree encompasses knowledge, skills, and dispositions that upon graduation lead to highly qualified studio artists. Students are expected to exhibit strong evidence of achieving a level of proficiency necessary for graduation and to participate effectively in a competitive visual arts market. In this program, students learn about creating successful and original artworks, problem solving and critical thinking, creative and innovative planning strategies, art history and criticism, business practices for artists, industrial and non-industrial applications of studio processes, and how to choose a graduate program.
Painting
The BFA Painting emphasis teaches a technical approach to painting that promotes individual creativity, and prepare students for the challenges of transitioning into the art world. One of the most demanding aspects of painting is problem-solving. Students are taught to apply critical thinking and analysis, as well as technical painting processes towards the production of art while building an open mind to criticism respect for public opinion. Visual art is also an avenue for social change. Our studio arts program encourages students to open the door for expressing themselves on a diversity of local, national, and global issues.
Sculpture:
The BFA Sculpture emphasis prepares graduates for future demands faced by the visual artist. Our graduates learn skills for both logical thought and effective expression, strive for more creative uses of sculptural processes, develop insights needed to appreciate the value and quality of sculpture, and build their historical and cultural knowledge by studying the works of other times and diverse peoples. Our students appreciate the global contexts of art, as well as the social, civic, and environmental responsibilities that come with a liberal arts education. Our graduates have attained the high-level of technical and critical skills needed to compete in graduate and professional schools and to succeed in the world at large. Sculpture students are prepared to become productive and responsible members of the communities in which they live.
Ceramics
The BFA Ceramics emphasis prepares graduates for the future demands of a career in visual art and/or success at the graduate MFA level. Students learn through a detailed curriculum all of the making and firing processes in ceramics, to know and understand sound craftsmanship and to think critically in design decisions. Our curriculum also provides a sound education in the technical aspects of ceramics, like an understanding of ceramic materials through glaze calculation and the practical knowledge of kiln design and construction. We also cultivate discussion of historical, contemporary and social issues so that students are well prepared for the next step in their careers and that they can be knowledgeable members of the visual arts community
Printmaking
The BFA Printmaking emphasis prepares graduates for future demands faced by the visual artist. Our graduates learn skills for both logical thought and effective expression, strive for more creative uses of printmaking processes, develop insights needed to appreciate the value and quality of printmaking, and build their historical and cultural knowledge by studying the works of other times and diverse peoples. Our students appreciate the global contexts of art, as well as the social, civic, and environmental responsibilities that come with a liberal arts education. Our graduates have attained the high-level of technical and critical skills needed to compete in graduate and professional schools and to succeed in the world at large. Printmaking students are prepared to become productive and responsible members of the communities in which they live.
Student Learning Outcomes
Degree Program Student Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Fine Arts: (BFA) encompass knowledge, skills, and dispositions that upon graduation lead to highly qualified studio artists. Students are expected to exhibit strong evidence of achieving a level of proficiency necessary for graduation and to participate effectively in a competitive visual arts market.
Studio Arts Core Learning Outcomes
- Graduates will be effectual practitioners who create successful artworks that show original application of the structures and functions of art in advanced two- and three-dimensional design.
- Graduates will be capable problem solvers whose artwork demonstrates skilled use of traditional and non-traditional use of tools, materials, techniques, and processes related to raw materials and technical procedures.
- Graduates will be well-informed art makers with an advantageous understanding of industrial and non-industrial applications of studio processes and techniques.
- Graduates will be creative and innovative planners and practiced producers whose original artworks show imaginative conceptualization and professional completion.
- Graduates will be principled creators of visual iconography that demonstrates a contemplative view of the many connections (both subtle and overt) between art and environmental sustainability, global engagement, and cultural diversity.
- Graduates will be open-minded and well-informed global citizens who possess and express attentive awareness, wide-ranging knowledge, and sincere appreciation of the distinctive contributions of studio art within Western and Non-Western traditions of art, design, and culture.
- Graduates will be knowledgeable marketers who possess basic business practices that are effectively demonstrated through their abilities to successfully exhibit and advantageously promote their artwork in diverse venues such as galleries, shops, online, and in other public and private spaces.
- Graduates will be focused individuals who recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information to successfully execute artwork.
Ceramics Emphasis:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the basic design elements and principles, particularly as they relate to the production of advanced work in three-dimensional design related to ceramic works of art.
- Possess knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes related to raw materials and technical procedures such as clay bodies, glaze calculation, and firing so that the artwork created can be conceptualized and completed in a professional manner.
- Display through their completed work an essential comprehension of the industrial applications of ceramics techniques.
- Possess a thorough understanding of the place of ceramics within Western and Non-Western traditions of art, design, and culture.
- Show a functional knowledge of basic business practices through their ability to exhibit and promote their artwork in diverse venues.
- Display through completed work a competent skill in the preparation of clay bodies, slips and glazes, kiln stacking procedures, and firing processes such as salt/soda, wood, raku, reduction cooling, and pit firing.
Painting Emphasis
- Demonstrate proficiency in basic design elements and principles, color theory, media and format concepts, and the ability to apply them to issues of representation, illusion, and meaning to solve aesthetic and design problems as they relate to painting.
- Display an ability to combine the use of drawing, two-dimensional design, and color so that completed paintings show a developed professional presentation.
- Possess knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes, including paints and surfaces, sufficient to work from concept to completed product in a professional manner.
- Have a fundamental knowledge of the expressive possibilities of various media, and the diverse conceptual modes available to the painter such as direct painting from nature or alternative approaches to the making of traditional or innovative two-dimensional images.
- Have the ability to work independently and develop a consistent, personal direction and style.
Printmaking Emphasis
- Demonstrate proficiency in basic design elements and principles, media, and format concepts, as they relate to the production of advanced printmaking.
- Display an ability to develop solutions to aesthetic and design problems as they relate to printmaking.
- Possess skills in advanced drawing abilities as related to various printmaking techniques.
- Have fundamental knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes that includes intaglio, relief, lithography, silkscreen, and digital processes sufficient to work from concept to finished artwork in a professional manner.
- Display a mastery of at least one printmaking technique, including the ability to both experiment with technical innovation and to explore and develop personal concepts and imagery.
- Have a functional knowledge of the history of printmaking.
- Possess skills in the preparation of prints using all basic printmaking techniques with opportunities to work at an advanced level with one or more of these techniques.
Sculpture Emphasis
- Demonstrate proficiency in basic design elements and principles with an emphasis on the advanced production of three-dimensional sculpture.
- Have the ability to develop solutions to aesthetic and design problems as they relate to sculpture.
- Possess advanced abilities in drawing sufficient to support work in sculpture.
- Understand the possibilities and limitations of various materials as expressed through completed art works.
- Possess knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes that include hand and power tools, foundry and welding equipment, plastic and resin facilities, and other technologies sufficient to work from concept to finished artwork in a professional manner.
- Possess mastery in one or more sculptural media.
- Have a functional knowledge of the history and theory of sculpture.
- Demonstrate skills in the preparation of sculpture using the broadest possible range of techniques and concepts so that artworks can be conceptualized and completed in a professional manner.
Major Requirements
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Take the following 54 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
- ART 122, ART 135, ART 136, ART 150, ART 151 (15 units)
- ARH 141 or ARH 142 (3 units)
- Select two from: ARH 335, ARH 353, ARH 355, ARH 356, ARH 361 (6 units)
- Select one 200-300 level ARH elective, MST 450, or MST 460 (3 units)
- ARE 330W which meets Northern Arizona University's junior writing requirement (3 units)
- Select two of the following elective tracks (24 units):
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The two elective tracks selected above must differ from your emphasis.
Emphasis Requirements
Select an emphasis that differs from either of the elective tracks chosen above. Take the following 30 units with a grade of C or better in each course.
Ceramics Emphasis (30 units)- Ceramics: ART 161, ART 261, ART 262, ART 263, ART 362, ART 363, ART 461 (Some of these courses repeat for credit.) (24 units)
- ART 482C, which meets Northern Arizona University's senior capstone requirement (3 units)
- Additional ART studio elective coursework with advisor's approval (3 units)
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- Printmaking Emphasis (30 units)
General Electives
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Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Additional Information
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You must have completed all of the coursework used to fulfill these requirements within the last 10 years.
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Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.