The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art is a 125 credit hour limited access program that provides an intensive background in theoretical knowledge and professional skills. BFA students will develop a personal vision, a high level of competence in technique, and harness the ability to make sound artistic decisions. The BFA in Studio Art is a proficiency-based program, characterized by continuous assessment. Graduating BFA seniors exhibit their work at the Texas A&M University-Commerce University Gallery in their last semester.
To receive a degree in BFA Studio Art, students must successfully complete a minimum of one hundred-twenty five (125) credit hours. Students must also remain in the program for a minimum of three long semesters. Students must apply for admission into the “Practicum” course, culminating in an advancement review and graduation exhibition. The Practicum course is offered each spring with reviews scheduled each fall.
Students admitted to the BFA program are exempt from any foreign language requirement. Students in the BFA major are not required to select a minor. The BFA Advisor can provide additional guidance with regard to entrance and degree requirements.
Program Information
Students are required to have a C or above in all foundation requirements to maintain good standing in the program. Students will present a portfolio for review at the end of their sophomore year or when they have met at least 80% of the art foundation requirements. Faculty will assess the portfolio and make recommendations to the student.
Academic Performance and Retention
Students are required to have a C or above in all foundation courses to maintain good standing in the Department of Art. The work and progress of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees will be evaluated both within the classes they take and by the departmental standards established for each major programmatic area (BA in Art, BFA in Studio Art, BFA in Visual Communication).
The Department of Art reserves the right to discontinue enrollment of art majors at any time if satisfactory academic progress is not being made. Students who have accumulated three unsatisfactory grades (U, D or F) in studio art or visual communication courses at A&M-Commerce or elsewhere may not be permitted to continue, be readmitted, or graduate with a degree in art. Courses with grades of D or F may be repeated for a grade of C or higher only once.
BFA Studio Art with Emphasis in Photography
| 42 |
| ART 110 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 111 | Two-Dimensional Design and Color Theory | 3 |
| ART 112 | Drawing II | 3 |
| or ART 213 | Figure Drawing |
| ART 140 | Three-Dimensional Design & Color Theory | 3 |
| ART 141 | Intro to Shop Safety | 1 |
| GLB/History of Art I * | |
| GLB/History of Art II * | |
| PHO 111 | Introduction to Digital Media | 3 |
| 6 |
| Introduction to Visual Communication | |
| Sophomore Studio: Introduction to Painting | |
| Sophomore Studio: Introduction to Sculpture | |
| Sophomore Studio: Introduction to Ceramics | |
| ART 380 | Experimental Concepts | 3 |
| ART 403 | Practicum in Art | 3 |
| ART 404 | GLB/History of Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ART 333 | History of Photography | 3 |
| 3 |
| PHO 112 | Basic Photography I | 3 |
| PHO 209 | Introduction to Video | 3 |
| PHO 210 | Introduction to Studio Lighting | 3 |
| PHO 350 | Advanced Digital Photography | 3 |
| PHO 359 | Junior Photography Seminar | 4 |
| PHO 495 | Photography Internship | 3 |
| 27 |
| Digital Black and White Photography Techniques | |
| Environmental Portraiture | |
| Advertising & Commercial Photography | |
| Nature & Wildlife Photography | |
| Introduction to Photojournalism | |
| Advanced Photojournalism | |
| Documentary Photography | |
| Architectural Photography | |
| B&W Darkroom Techniques | |
| Alternative Print Making | |
| Video Production Tech | |
| Independent Study | |
| Special Topics | |
| Business Practices in Pho | |
| Photography Portfolio Review | |
| Independent Study | |
| Special Topics | |
| Total Hours | 125 |