Art, B.F.A. (E, A, L)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree provides a comprehensive education for the professional artist. The concentration in Studio Art prepares students for creative careers and/or entry into Master of Fine Arts programs. Students move through three sets of courses: foundations, intermediate, and advanced. At the junior level, students are also expected select a specialization for focused studies. To remain eligible for the concentration, continuing students and transfer students must satisfactorily pass two portfolio reviews: a foundation review and a senior review. Portfolio reviews are held in conjunction with select courses to streamline the sign-up process. Students in ARTS 212 (Figure Drawing) will participate in the foundation review, and students enrolled in ARTS 497 (Senior Studio and Methods) will participate in the senior review. Foundation reviews occur after students have completed or are enrolled in their final foundation courses. They serve to check on progress and preparation for pursuing a specialization. Senior review serves to assess preparation for senior exhibition. Course requirements for the studio art concentration are outlined below. Students must receive a grade of C or better in any course that counts toward the major.

This major fulfills the E, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. The foundations expressive core, followed by upper-level art studios, prepares students to use and interpret the language, tools, and media of artistic expression. The art history core provides experience in the cultural and behavioral analysis of developments in art across history and cultures. Courses in applied Learning prepare provide experience in the preparation of professional portfolios that students will use when seeking gallery representation and professional employment as artists. Students need to take a REAL minor in another department to fill the area of R and complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art includes 18 general education credits.

12 credit hours in specialization with 9 art electives.

Any 200 level or above course in ART, ARTS, ARTG, or ARTH.

Any 200 level or above course in ART, ARTS, ARTG, or ARTH.

• 2 portfolio reviews are required plus a senior exit review conducted by the faculty during one’s senior exhibition.
• Must pass reviews with a 2.75 or higher; must earn a C or better in all Art courses.

These credits can and will be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a Graphic Design concentration provides a comprehensive education for the student graphic designer and prepares them for success in this challenging field. Admission to the upper level (300-400) graphic design courses is competitive and contingent upon a receiving a “C” or better in all required Graphic Design classes and passing the ARTG 289 Program Entry Review. Students transferring from other schools with the proper prerequisites will be required to present a portfolio and, upon receiving a passing score, will be allowed entry to the upper-level courses. Those students who fall below the minimum requirements may retake courses, resubmit their portfolio the following semester, or change their majors. The graduating senior must pass the ARTG 489 Program Exit Review which will consist of both a final portfolio review and a Graphic Design exhibition. Department faculty will give final approval/disapproval after the exhibition is hung.

This major fulfills the E, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Through completion of art foundations and graphic design courses in the expressive (E) area, graphic design majors gain practical experience in the use and interpretation of the language and tools of artistic expression across media, with particular relevance to graphic design.  Required courses in the area of cultural and behavioral analysis (A) prepare graphic design majors to engage in comparative analysis of the role of art and its various forms in global cultures throughout history. Courses in the area of Applied Learning (L) prepare students to assume the role and values of professional graphic designers. Students will need to pursue a minor from another department in the area of R to complete REAL curriculum requirements. Additional REAL requirements are included in the course listing.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Bachelor of Fine Arts concentration in Graphic Design includes 15 general education credits.

Any ART, ARTS, ARTH course, or minors in Design Appreciation, Entrepreneurship, Information Technology, Marketing, Media Studies, or Public Relations. Students wishing to focus on illustration may take: ARTS 211, ARTS 311, ARTS 411, ARTS 415, plus any additional ART, ARTS, ARTH, or ARTG courses of choice to round out the 18 hours.

The GPA in the major is calculated from required courses with an ART prefix, except ART 100. Students in any concentration within the art department must receive a grade of C or better in any course that counts toward the major. The graphic design portfolio reviews, ARTG 289 and ARTG 489, must be taken and passed by all students in order to take graphic design courses and graduate in this concentration.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

A laptop with appropriate Adobe software is required (student pricing available).

Art majors that desire a professional degree in art with a K-12 teaching license should pursue the BFA degree with an art education concentration. Students move through four sets of courses: foundations, intermediate, advanced, and professional education. Completion of course requirements, proficiency tests, clinical experiences, and student teaching leads to K-12 certification in visual art. Furthermore, continuing students and transfer students must satisfactorily pass a foundation review. Portfolio reviews are held in conjunction with ARTS 212 (Figure Drawing) to streamline the sign-up process. Foundation reviews occur after students have completed or are enrolled in their final foundation courses. They serve to check on progress and assess preparation for pursuing advanced studio work. Students must receive a grade of C or better in any course that counts toward the major.

This major fulfills the E, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Through completion of the art core, art education majors gain practical experience in the use and interpretation of the language and tools of artistic expression across media, representing Human or Artistic Expression (E). Courses in the art core also prepare majors to engage in cultural and historical analysis of the role of art and its various forms in global cultures throughout history, representing Cultural or Behavioral Analysis (A). Courses in the area of Applied Learning (L) prepare students to assume the role of a professional educator in K-12 schools. Students will need to pursue a minor from another department in the area of R to complete REAL curriculum requirements. Additional REAL requirements are included in the course listings.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Bachelor of Fine Arts concentration in Art Education includes 24 general education credits.

In addition to completing the required courses listed above, students pursuing the art education concentration must complete requirements for the Teacher Education Program. Admission to the Teacher Education Program requires, but is not limited to the following:

• Completion of 45 semester hours of course work.
• A minimum 2.5 grade point average on all work completed at Radford and on all work attempted in the major.
• Completed admission application submitted to the educational unit.
• Passing scores on the basic skills test required for licensure by the State of Virginia.

Professional review is required of the candidate before student teaching. This includes:

• Passing Scores on Praxis I, VCLA, and Praxis II.
• Portfolio review for artistic and educational competency.
• Completion of a departmental interview and screening examination.
• Other requirements as outlined by the Educational Unit.

Please refer to the College of Education and Human Development catalog sections regarding admissions requirements, admissions procedures, retention procedures, eligibility for student teaching, licensure and graduation requirements.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree provides a comprehensive education for aspiring professional artists. The concentration in Digital Arts & Illustration prepares students for creative careers and/or entry into Master of Fine Arts programs. Students move through three sets of courses: foundations, intermediate, and advanced. To remain eligible for the concentration, continuing students and transfer students must satisfactorily pass two portfolio reviews: a foundation review and a senior review. Portfolio reviews are held in conjunction with select courses to streamline the sign-up process. Students in ARTS 212 (Figure Drawing) will participate in the foundation review, and students enrolled in ARTS 497 (Senior Studio and Methods) will participate in the senior review. Foundation review occurs after a student has completed or is enrolled in their final foundation courses. The review serves to check on progress and preparation for advanced-level courses. Senior review serves to assess preparation for senior exhibition. Course requirements for the Digital Arts & Illustration concentration are outlined below.

This major fulfills the E, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. The foundations expressive core, followed by upper-level art studios, prepares students to use and interpret the language, tools, and media of artistic expression. The art history core provides experience in the cultural and behavioral analysis of developments in art across history and cultures. Courses in applied Learning prepare provide experience in the preparation of professional portfolios that students will use when seeking gallery representation and professional employment as artists. Students need to take a REAL minor in another department to fill the area of R and complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts and Illustration includes 24 general education credits.

• 2 portfolio reviews are required plus a senior exit review conducted by the faculty during one’s senior exhibition.
• Must pass reviews with a 2.75 or higher; must earn a C or better in all Art courses.
• A current generation iPad and Apple Pencil is required.

These credits can and will be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.