Department of Art

The Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Art is a professional degree offering students the specialized training available in art schools, combined with the benefits of a broad liberal arts education.

Program objectives for the B.F.A. in Art are: (a) to develop a B.F.A. student who is capable of critical and analytical reasoning as a practicing art professional; (b) to provide students with a foundation for graduate or professional education; (c) to prepare students to join the community of artists at the local, national and international levels; (d) to acquire the knowledge to work comprehensively in the discipline or related discipline. The Department of Art welcomes qualified individuals who aspire to become practicing artists and designers. Professional art and design education is available in four concentration options: (1) Art Education; (2) Studio Arts; (3) Graphic Design; (4) Photography.

The Department also welcomes students considering a minor in Art or in Photography. Please see the Minors section following the listing of concentration requirements for the B.F.A. in Art.

Special requirements for the Art major are divided into five groups:

general education

foundation in art

art history

concentration area

electives to bring the total credit hours to 120 hours.

Advanced Placement Credit: Prior to registration, Advanced Placement portfolios should be reviewed in the Department of Art for consistency with the performance standards required of enrolled students. An A.P. portfolio with a score of three (3), four (4), or five (5) points on the General Portfolio or on the Drawing Portfolio will be reviewed for the possible award of three credit hours. If a student submits separate portfolios from the junior and senior years, a maximum of six credit hours may be awarded. For a grade of three (3) points on the Drawing Portfolio or three (3), four (4), or five (5) points on the General Portfolio, three hours of unassigned studio elective credit may be awarded. For a grade of four (4) or five (5) points in the Drawing Portfolio, three hours of credit in Art 1311 (Beginning Drawing) will be considered. Unassigned A.P. credit may be used to satisfy a University credit.

Advising: Student advising in the Department of Art is an essential support service that aids students in clarifying academic goals consistent with their interests, abilities, and resources. Academic advisors assist Art majors in the selection of appropriate courses and provide meaningful discussion regarding career goals, past academic experience, and future academic progress. Freshmen, transfer and returning students are encouraged to contact the Art Office (room 201, Jones Hall) to request an academic advisor. Assistance from an advisor does not relieve a student of the responsibility of studying the appropriate catalog (Catalog) and fulfilling all degree requirements.

Transfer students with more that 40 semester hours should see the CCFA Graduation Analyst (room 232, CFA Building) before seeing an Art advisor.

Before taking courses from another institution intended to apply towards the University of Memphis graduation, the student must obtain permission from the CCFA Dean.

NOTES for Graphic Design Students: Before enrolling in any Graphic Design course, all applicants seeking admission to the B.F.A. with a concentration in Graphic Design must complete and submit to the Department of Art an application form, a writing assignment, and a portfolio of five representative works. These three components comprise the Incoming Evaluation for Graphic Design and will be reviewed by a faculty committee. Applicants are accepted on the basis of potential in the field of graphic design. Contact the Department of Art for details and deadline.

Students transferring from another concentration or another institution who intend to pursue a B.F.A. degree with a concentration in Graphic Design must complete the area’s Incoming Evaluation prior to enrolling in Graphic Design courses. Transfer students seeking advanced standing in the Graphic Design concentration should submit a portfolio of work representing previously completed Graphic Design studio work. The review committee will determine if the portfolio work is equivalent to comparable courses at the University of Memphis. Placement in the concentration is dependent upon the review. Even if admitted to advanced standing, the student may be required to remedy previous course deficiencies.

Art (B.F.A.)

A. University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements. Note that the Humanities category is satisfied for art students who meet all B.F.A. in Art requirements by taking two of the following three courses: ARTH 2010, 2020, or 2030, and an approved literature course.

B. The Major (79 hours)

1. Major Core (Foundation in Art) (12 hours)

ART 1210, 1215, 1311, 1314.

2. Concentrations

[Art majors must be formally accepted into a concentration. Admission to the University and completion of foundation art courses do not guarantee placement in a concentration. Admission is selective and is based on a portfolio evaluation that reflects professional standards and meets concentration expectations. Space availability may also affect admission decisions. A concentration entrance application and a portfolio should be submitted upon completion of foundation courses (ART 1210, 1215, 1311, 1314) plus additional concentration-specific courses (see concentration areas for these courses). The portfolio includes, but is not limited to, artwork from these courses. Guidelines and application forms for concentration admission are available in the department office and from faculty advisors. Consultation with a faculty adviser is recommended before or during portfolio preparation. Transfer students must meet concentration entrance requirements. After review, the department notifies the student of one of the following: (1) acceptance, (2) one semester acceptance on a probationary basis, (3) recommendation to correct deficiencies and reapply, (4) recommendation to pursue studies in another area of art, or (5) denial of admission.]

a. Art Education (72 hours):

(1) Entrance (15 hours) - ART 3313, 3411, 2351, 2511, and 2523. Students may submit portfolios for review no earlier than the semester that the entrance requirements are being completed.

(2) Art History (6 hours) - 2 upper division art history courses.

(3) Completion of Concentration (39 hours) - ART 2331, 3313, 3423, 4321, 4427, 4441; EDPR 2111; ICL 3333; SPED 2000; ART 4912 (9), ART 4430, 4440, 4441, 4914.

(4) Art Electives (7-10 hours) - A studio specialty of three or four courses in the same field is also required; see adviser for details. All required 2000 level art courses must be completed before enrollment in 4000 level studio classes. Art electives complete the 79 semester hours of professional course work.

Note: See the introduction to the College of Communication and Fine Arts requirements at the Teacher Preparation section.

b. Studio Arts (72 hours):

The four fields are interdependent and share the following requirements:

(1) Entrance (9 hours) - Three courses selected from ART 2301, 2331, 2351, 2511, 2523, 2701. Students may submit portfolios for review no earlier than the semester that the entrance requirements are being completed.

(2) Art History (6 hours) - ARTH 4155 or 4157 plus 3 hours in upper division art history courses.

(3) Completion of Concentration (46 hours) - Remaining lower division courses (see Entrance), plus upper division studio courses: ART 3313, 3314, 4650, 4990, 4995, 4622, (1), and 8 other courses from:

Ceramics: ART 3522, 3524, 4521, 4522.

Painting: ART 3332, 4321, 4322, 4331, 4332.

Printmaking: ART 2352, 3351, 3352, 4351, 4352, 4353, 4354.

Sculpture: ART 3511, 3512, 4511, 4512.

Independent Studies: ART 4621.

All 2000 level art courses must be completed before enrollment in 4000 level studio courses.

(4) Art Electives (3 hours) - Art electives complete the 79 semester hours of professional course work.

c. Graphic Design (67 hours):

(1) Entrance (12 hours) - ART 2213, 2219, 2223, 3313. Students may submit portfolios for review no earlier than the semester that the entrance requirements are being completed. Enrollment in 3000 or 4000 level graphic design courses is based upon this review.

(2) Art History (9 hours) - ART 4224 plus 2 upper division art history courses. COMM 4850 may be substituted for one art history course.

(3) Completion of Concentration (37 hours) - ART 2701, 3213, 3219, 3222, 3227, 4211, 4221, 4222, 4223, 4232 or 4233, 4235, 4622 (1), and one of the following: ART 4223, 4230, 4232, 4233.

(4) Art Electives (9 hours) - Art electives complete the 79 hours of professional course work.

e. Photography (67 hours):

(1) Entrance (18 hours) - ART 2301, 2331 or 2351, 2511 or 2523, 2701, 2702, and 3701. Students may submit portfolios for review no earlier than the semester that the entrance requirements are being completed. Enrollment in 3000 or 4000 level studio courses is based upon this review.

(2) Art History (9 hours) - ARTH 4155 or 4157, plus 4721 and 4722.

(3) Completion of Concentration (30 hours) - ART 4353, 4650, 4701, 4702, 4703, 4704, 4711, (6), and 4712 (6), 4990, 4995.

(4) Art Electives (10 hours) - Art electives complete the 79 semester hours of course work.

3. Graduation

For the B.F.A. in Art, a total of 120 semester hours is required, 85 of which must be in professional course work that includes ARTH 2101 and 2102. A minimum of 42 upper division semester hours is required for the degree and a minimum grade of "C" is required for all courses in the Art major.

Art Minor

Completion of 24 semester hours in art courses, 9 of which must be from the upper division. Courses selected for the minor are to be approved by the advisor who will be assigned by the department chair.

Photography Minor

Completion of 18 semester hours as follows: ART 2701, 2702, 3701, 4701, 4702, and ARTH 4721.

Typical 4-Year Art Education Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours: 120

Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

Typical 4-Year Graphic Design Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours: 120

Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

Typical 4-Year Studio Arts Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Submit portfolio for Concentration Entrance

Junior Year

Senior Year

Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement