Department of Art and Design

[1] Mission

The Department of Art and Design views educational achievement as both an individual and collective responsibility. Offering a variety of undergraduate programs in art and design, the department directs the educational progress of students toward quality research, creative practice, and public service.

Art and design transforms those who create and those who respond. The department uses the transformative value of art and design to connect members of the community, enhance and enrich lives, and make us more conscious of ourselves and others in the world.

To accomplish its mission, the Department of Art and Design has established the following goals:

• To challenge students with an intensive curriculum characterized by individualized instruction.
• To reward faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarly and creative endeavors, and community service.
• To maintain facilities and resources that foster opportunities to experience the creation, exhibition, and study of visual arts and design.
• To provide opportunities for community involvement in visual art and design, to broaden public awareness of these practices.

[2] Departmental Advancement Requirements

Advancement to an art degree program in studio art, fine art, or art education is contingent upon the recommendation of the art and design faculty on completion of the Sophomore Major Advancement Interview (SMAI), after which a program of study is created with an art and design faculty. A copy of the SMAI guidelines is available in the Art and Design Office or on the departmental web site under Downloads. Students pursuing the BA in Art with an art history emphasis should see §3.3 below. Students pursuing the BA or BS in Interior Design should see §3.4 below.

For transfer students, a minimum of 15 semester hours in art must be taken at the university, including 12 hours of 3000-/4000-level courses. The department accepts courses taken at other accredited institutions; however, courses transferred are not guaranteed satisfy the specific requirements of the department. In order to receive transfer course credit, transfer students must present a portfolio for faculty review.

Students pursuing the BFA in Studio Art or the BA in Art with emphasis in fine art or art education are required to participate in a comprehensive review and an exhibit during the senior year.

[3] Baccalaureate Degrees

The following degrees are offered: (1) the BA in Art with an emphasis in fine art, art history, or art education; (2) the BA and BS in Interior Design; and (3) the BFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture.

[3.1] Art Core Curriculum

Students pursuing the BFA in Studio Art or the BA in Art with an emphasis in fine art or art education must complete the following 35 hours. (Students pursuing the BA in Art with an emphasis in art history go to §3.3.3 below.)

[3.1.1] Art Core (18 hours)

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6 hours from:

Note 1

Note 2

[3.1.2] Area Studies (20 hours)

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Category A (3 hours):

Category B (3 hours):

Category C (3 hours):

Three (3) credit hours of an upper division technology-oriented art course beyond any previously stated emphasis degree requirements; require major advisor approval.

Select one of the following technology-oriented electives:

Additional requirements (6 hours):

Portfolio Courses (2 hours – each course required):

Art History Course (3 hours):

Note: Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Art, see the following sections below:

[3.2] Bachelor of Fine Arts

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The degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 35 hours of lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated course (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 83 hours of art in an approved degree plan; (3) and electives to bring total credit hours to 120. Art and design courses must follow a prerequisite structure. A minor is not required. This degree may require more than the normal eight semesters to complete.

[3.2.1] BFA Major in Studio Art (83 hours)

Admission to the BFA in Studio Art requires application as described below. Students must complete the 38 hours of core and area studies curriculum (see §3.1 above), and add six additional hours of upper-division art history elective for a total of 15 art history hours, 21 hours in an approved studio emphasis (see below), and 18 hours in BFA required courses (see below) to complete 83 hours.

[3.2.2] Pre-BFA Track

Students intending to apply for the BFA in Studio Art degree are strongly encouraged to enter the pre-BFA Studio Art track. Pre-BFA Studio Art students are required to attend a BFA orientation meeting in the fall or spring semester. No emphasis is declared in the pre-BFA track. Upon completion of the Sophomore Major Advancement Interview (SMAI), students with a 2.50 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 major GPA on a minimum of 24 hours of art may apply for entrance to the program. Transfer students, students changing majors, or students changing degree programs may not be required to start the program in the pre-BFA track, but must meet the requirements outlined in this paragraph.

[3.2.3] Acceptance to the BFA Program

Acceptance to the BFA degree program requires approval by the studio faculty of the BFA application which includes the application form declaring emphasis being pursued, a typewritten statement, unofficial copy of current UCA transcript, and at least 20 images of artwork. Normally, applications are submitted in the spring of the sophomore year, but applications may be submitted each fall and spring semester. A minimum of 24 hours in art is required after acceptance to the BFA program, including ART 4300, ART 4301, ART 4V75 (6 credit hours), ART 3150, ART 4150, ART 4160, and nine hours of art in a specified degree plan.

[3.2.4] BFA Required Courses (18 hours required of all BFA emphases)

[3.2.4.1] Ceramics Emphasis (21 hours)

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Note: If one or more of the courses below have been taken as part of the Area Studies coursework under Category A, select additional courses from the studio emphasis electives section.

Select one of the following electives:

[3.2.4.2] Graphic Design Emphasis (21 hours)

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Note: If one or more of the courses below have been taken as part of the Area Studies coursework under Category B, select additional course from the studio emphasis electives section.

Select two of the following electives:

Select one of the following electives:

[3.2.4.3] Painting Emphasis (21 hours)

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Note: Painting I may not be used to fulfill Category B in Area Studies.

Select seven of the following:

[3.2.4.4] Photography Emphasis (21 hours)

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Note: If one or more of the courses below have been taken as part of the Area Studies coursework under Category A or B, select additional courses from the studio emphasis section.

Select one of the following:

Select one of the following:

[3.2.4.5] Printmaking Emphasis (21 hours)

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Note: If one or more of the courses below have been taken as part of the Area Studies coursework under Category A or B, select additional courses from the studio emphasis electives section.

Select one of the following:

Select one of the following:

[3.2.4.6] Sculpture Emphasis (21 hours)

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Note: If one or more of the courses below have been taken as part of the Area Studies coursework under Category A, select additional courses from the studio emphasis electives section.

Select one of the following electives:

[3.3] Bachelor of Arts in Art

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The BA in Art, with an emphasis in fine art, art education, or art history, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 35 hours of lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) sophomore-level foreign-language course; (3) an approved degree program in art; and (4) a minor approved by the student’s minor advisor. A minor is not required for Bachelor of Arts students who complete requirements for teacher licensure.

[3.3.1] Fine Arts Emphasis (48 hours)

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Students must complete the 38 hours of core and area studies (see §3.1 above) and add 9 hours of studio electives (six of which must be studio level II), ART 4388 Advanced Studio or a third upper-division studio course in a studio area, and ART 4140 Portfolio III [UD UCA Core: Z].

[3.3.2] Art Education Emphasis (45 hours)

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Students must complete the 38 hours of core and area studies (see §3.1 above); add 3 additional hours of 3000-level art history for a minimum of 12 art history hours, 3 hours studio at level II, ART 4388 Advanced Studio or a third upper-division course in a studio area; and ART 4140 Portfolio III [UCA Core: Z]. A total of 45 hours of art is required, 21 hours of art education courses (see below), and 14 hours of professional education (see below). The emphasis prepares students for K-12 licensure in Arkansas public schools. Students seeking teacher licensure must complete current UCA College of Education and state requirements. This emphasis and licensure requirements may require more than the normal eight semesters to complete. A minor is not required.

Art Education Courses (21 hours)

Professional Education Courses (14 hours)

For information about teacher education Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements, see the College of Education page in this bulletin.

[3.3.3] Art History Emphasis (45 hours)

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Students must complete 39 hours of art history courses (see below) and 6 hours of studio to total 45 hours in art history and art.

Select one of the following:

Select one of the following:

Select 13 from the following electives:

[3.4] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

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The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, with a major in Interior Design, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; and (3) Interior Design courses as indicated below. A minor is not required.

Accreditation information: see §6 below.

Major requirements (60 hours):

Supporting requirements (6 hours):

[4] Minors in Art

[4.1] Minor in Art (24 hours)

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Students must complete 24 hours of art, including ART 1310 or 2312, 1321, 2322, 3 hours art history, and 12 hours of studio elective (nine of which must be upper-division).

Programs of study for art minors are subject to approval by the Department of Art and Design.

Note: Any of the 2000-level art history courses—ART 2325, 2335, or 2336—will, for the Art major or minor, fulfill the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry, Fine Arts/Humanities (FA).

[4.2] Minor in Art History (24 hours)

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Students must complete 24 hours of art, 9 of which must be upper-division courses: ART 2325, 2335 [ACTS: ARTA2003], 2336 [ACTS: ARTA2103]; 3 hours studio art; 12 hours selected from ART 3V05 (variable credit), 3301, 3302, 3303, 3307, 3311, 3329, 3335, 3365, 3385, 3395, 4V02 (variable credit), and 4372. ART 2325, 2335 [ACTS: ARTA2003], and 2336 [ACTS: ARTA2103] must be completed prior to enrolling in upper-division art history courses.

Programs of study for art minors are subject to approval by the Department of Art and Design.

Note: Any of the 2000-level art history courses—ART 2325, 2335, or 2336—will, for the Art major or minor, fulfill the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry, Fine Arts/Humanities (FA).

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[5] Honors in Art

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

Art faculty may invite students into the Art Honors program who have completed at least 72 hours (24 of which are in art) and have a major grade point average of at least 3.40 and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25. After the invitation, students wishing to participate select a faculty advisor and develop a proposal which must be submitted to and accepted by the Departmental Honors Committee in the semester prior to enrolling in ART 4390 Special Studies. Students submit the completed research or creative work to the Departmental Honors Committee for review. Honors standing is granted only to those students receiving a grade of “A” in ART 4390. Credit will be granted for students who receive a grade of “B” or “C.”

[6] Accreditation

The University of Central Arkansas is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Accreditation by NASAD includes the Art, Studio Art, and Interior Design programs.

The Interior Design program is also accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

[7] Course Links

Follow this link for ART – Studio Art course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for ART – Art Education course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for ART – Humanities and Art History course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for IDSN – Interior Design course descriptions: course link.