The BFA in art with a studio emphasis degree familiarizes students with the rich tradition of the visual arts, provides them with an understanding of the tools and materials available to the artist as a means of personal expression, shows students that there are fundamental concepts which unify all art yet which allow for infinite variation, and introduces to them alternative ways of looking, seeing, finding and discovering. BFA studio art students explore a wide variety of media, gaining extensive studio experience and learning the techniques and expressive opportunities unique to each. A primary focus of the program is on students finding their own creative and conceptual voice, and discovering ways to visually communicate their thoughts and ideas.
BFA studio art students also more thoroughly investigate such potential in a single area of emphasis, from among those listed below. Students at this level learn within a more professional framework, where the relationship between student and teacher becomes that of apprentice and master. Through this unique teaching relationship, students develop a high level of achievement in an area of expertise, while further developing personal creative abilities. In this manner they establish a sound basis for significant professional accomplishments in art.
Students in the BFA program with a studio emphasis fulfill the same core requirements as for the BA in studio art. In addition, they complete 9 further credit hours in art history and criticism; 9 further credits in additional studio course distribution; 18 further credit hours in studio courses consisting of 15 from their declared area of emphasis and 3 in drawing; and 3 credit hours with the BFA thesis.
Areas of Emphasis
Ceramics
Drawing
Electronic and Time-Based Art
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of the art with a studio emphasis program will be able to:
Express an individual, creative voice through an artistic practice that engages with contemporary global art and design discourse.
Implement the formal vocabularies of art and design as a foundation for artistic dialogue.
Practice drawing as a means to develop ideas.
Draw upon the history of art and design as a wellspring for ideas, solutions and meanings within one's own artistic practice.
Analyze and discuss art and design through discipline- and emphasis-specific vocabularies and methods.
Exhibit the potential for practicing art as a means of engagement and discourse.
January 2025
St Louis Home Campus
470 East Lockwood Avenue,
ST LOUIS,
Missouri,
63119, United States
Students must completed high school or from a home school program.
Freshman applicants are expected to complete a college preparatory secondary school program with at least 19 units of academic credit. The University strongly recommends the following distribution:
English: 4 units
History/Social studies: 3 units
Mathematics: 3 units
Foreign Language: 2 units
Science (two laboratory): 3 units
Fine Arts: 1 unit
Academic electives: 3 units
Applicants most likely to be admitted will have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a class rank in the top 50 percent of their high school class, if applicable.
English language proficiency requirement:
TOEFL: iBT: 80
TOEFL: ITP: 550
IELTS: Academic: 6.0
Duolingo: 110
Pearson: 53
Cambridge Academic English: 169
Password: 6.0
GTEC: 1201
iTEP: 3.7
SAT's English-based Reading and Writing Score: 450
ACT composite score: 23
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.