University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT)
Art, B.F.A.
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The Department of Art, Art History & Design offers many areas of emphasis for students, including art history, ceramics, digital media, graphic arts, painting and drawing, photography and videography, printmaking and sculpture. Students may work in a specific area of specialization or explore a range of practices in a variety of media.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree program is an interdisciplinary professional undergraduate studio offering within the Department of Art, Art History & Design. Since its inception in 1997, the BFA program has been in place to provide the greatest level of undergraduate, professional preparation for exceptional art students. The intent is to fully prepare these students to pursue graduate level study or function as professional practicing artists.
The program is interdisciplinary by design; students accepted into the program come from all disciplines within the department including ceramics, digital media, drawing, painting, performance, photography, printmaking, sculpture and video. Students work to explore their creative development in an atmosphere that encourages cross-discipline activities and engagement.
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Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- conduct creative and scholarly research to critically inform the production of work. (CT)
- evaluate, synthesize, and communicate their understanding of visual art and design in relation to historical precedents and the contemporary global context. (C)
- integrate scientific methods and/or technologies within their creative and scholarly projects. (QR)
- apply visual literacy, art historical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to pursue advanced study and/or employment within a creative profession (i.e., knowledge of/functioning within profession).
- utilize ethical decision-making and disciplinary values in course projects and critical discussions.
Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno
Use the transfer agreement and the degree planner (available by clicking at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.
If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.
Admission Requirements
All students interested in pursuing the Art, B. F. A. degree will begin their academic career by declaring an Art, B. A. major, and may apply for admission to the Art, B. F. A. program as early as the fourth semester of studies. To be eligible for admittance to the Art, B. F. A. program, students will need to have completed at least 60 total units (including at least 12 units of studio art and at least 12 units of art history) with a minimum 3. 00 overall GPA upon conclusion of the semester in which they submit their program application.
Potential Art, B. F. A. candidates will need to submit an application and portfolio of previous works to faculty in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design for review and consideration for acceptance to the program. Applications are accepted early each spring semester, with successful candidates being formally admitted to the B. F. A. program beginning in the following fall semester. Refer to the department’s website for application procedures, portfolio requirements, and submission deadlines.
Art majors are encouraged to talk with the Department of Art, Art History, and Design’s B. F. A. coordinator in advance of program application, to determine whether pursuit of the Art, B. F. A. degree best aligns with their aspirations and career goals.
Graduation Requirements
- Total Units | 128
- Cumulative GPA | 3.0
- University GPA | 3.0
- Major GPA | 3.0
- Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
- Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
- Upper-Division Requirement | 42 Upper-Division Units
I. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)
NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy .”
Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.
A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3
B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .
C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .
D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses .
E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7
F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.
II. Additional Core Requirements (15 units maximum)
Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV). Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.
A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9
B. Diversity & Equity - CO10
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO10 courses.
C. Global Contexts - CO11
D. Ethics - CO12
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO12 courses.
E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13
Choose one course:
F. Application - CO14
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO14 courses.
III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)
IV. Major Requirements (63 units)
A. Required courses (30 units)
B. Emphasis (9 units)
Students will declare and complete one of the following studio emphases:
Select two additional courses in drawing:
Select two additional lower-division courses in printmaking:
Digital Media
Choose three of the following courses:
C. Selected Courses (24 units)
- One additional art history course (3 units)
- Studio art courses at 300 level or above in your area of concentration (12 units)
- Studio art courses at 100-400 level (9 units)
V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)
The Department of Art, Art History & Design accepts any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts.
VI. Electives (2-8 units)
VII. Recommended Schedule
Use the Planner in MyNEVADA to build a custom graduation plan. Review and adjust the plan with an academic advisor.
Spring Semester (15-16 units)
Fall Semester (15-16 units)
Spring Semester (18 units)
Fall Semester (18 units)
- ART 498 - Seminar in Visual Arts (3 units)
- Art Major Emphasis III (3 units)
- Diversity& Equity (3 units) CO10
- Additional Art Studio (3 units)
- Minor (3 units)
- Ethics (3 units) CO12
Spring Semester (15 units)
Spring Semester (15 units)
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