Fine Arts Program (BFA)

Communication and Visual Arts Department information  

The Fine Arts Program (Bachelor of Fine Arts) endeavors to prepare students for innovative roles in the contemporary world of art, including careers as professional artists, advanced study at the graduate level, and other career options created by a liberal arts education. The program begins with a series of foundation courses stressing the development of technical, problem-solving and conceptual skills. Each student’s growth and development are achieved through exposure to multiple media, concluding with the production of a professional portfolio in an area of specialization.

Prerequisites.  ENG 112  or EHS 120 , MTH 112 .

Requirements. Completion of 124 credits, distributed as follows:

1. All College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) General Education requirements  and University of Michigan-Flint graduation requirements .
2. Foundations (15 credits).
   ART 126 , ART 130 , ART 131 , ART 141 , ART 142 .
3. Program review (9 credits).
   ART 240 , ART 495 , ART 498  (capstone). 
4. Art history and theory (18 credits).
   1. Survey courses (6 credits).  ARH 111 , ARH 112 .
   2. Advanced study in art history (12 credits).  ARH 401 , ARH 411 ; additional ARH courses at the 300 level or above excluding ARH 313 , ARH 332 , ART 395 , ARH 397 , ARH 497 .  Photography students (only) are required and allowed to take ARH 215 .
      
      Note:  Fine Arts majors are encouraged to complete a minor in art history, which requires only 3 additional credits in art history. 
5. Area of emphasis (33 credits).  One of the following:

      Painting and Drawing

1. ART 263 , ART 359 , ART 361 , ART 362 , a 3-D course at the 300 level or above, approved by academic advisor, from: ART 350 , ART 355 , ART 367 , ART 368 , ART 369 , ART 371 , ART 372 , ART 373 , ART 374 , ART 378 , ART 381 , ART 382 , ART 383 , ART 384 , ART 387 , ART 388 , ART 389 , ART 396 , ART 471 , ART 472 , ART 481 .
2. Six from: ART 307 , ART 309 , ART 323 , ART 353 ,  ART 354 , ART 360 , ART 366 , ART 385 , ART 386 , ART 392 , ART 393 , ART 395 , ART 407 , ART 408 , ARH 313 .

     Sculpture

1. ART 269 , ART 350 , ART 359 , a 2-D course at the 300 level or above, approved by academic advisor, from: ART 301 , ART 302 , ART 304 , ART 306 , ART 307 , ART 309 , ART 316 , ART 323 , ART 326 , ART 327 , ART 328 , ART 333 , ART 337 , ART 338 , ART 339 , ART 341 , ART 343 , ART 344 , ART 345 , ART 353 , ART 354 , ART 359 , ART 360 , ART 361 , ART 362 , ART 366 , ART 380 , ART 385 , ART 386 , ART 393 , ART 395 , ART 402 , ART 404 , ART 405 , ART 407 , ART 408 , ART 422 , ART 490 .
2. Seven from: ART 270 , ART 367 , ART 368 , ART 369 , ART 371 , ART 372 , ART 373 , ART 374 , ART 392 , ART 396 , ART 471 , ART 472 .

     Ceramics

1. ART 281 , ART 359 , ART 382 , ART 383 , ART 384 , a 2-D course at the 300 level or above, approved by academic advisor, from: ART 301 , ART 302 , ART 304 , ART 306 , ART 307 , ART 309 , ART 316 , ART 323 , ART 326 , ART 327 , ART 328 , ART 333 , ART 337 , ART 338 , ART 339 , ART 341 , ART 343 , ART 344 , ART 345 , ART 353 , ART 354 , ART 359 , ART 360 , ART 361 , ART 362 , ART 366 , ART 380 , ART 385 , ART 386 , ART 393 , ART 395 , ART 402 , ART 404 , ART 405 , ART 407 , ART 408 , ART 422 , ART 490 .
2. Five from: ART 270 , ART 367 , ART 368 , ART 381 , ART 392 , ART 396 , ART 472 , ART 481 .

     Photography

1. ART 116 , ART 214 , ART 218 , ART 302 , ART 316 , ART 326 , a non-photography 2-D course (painting ART 103 , ART 359 , ART 361 , ART 362  or drawing  ART 263 , ART 307 , ART 309 , ART 353 , ART 354 , ART 360 , ART 366 , ART 385 , ART 386 , ART 393 , ART 407 , ART 408 ) or 3-D course at the 300 level or above, approved by academic advisor: ART 350 , ART 355 , ART 367 , ART 368 , ART 369 , ART 371 , ART 372 , ART 373 , ART 374 , ART 378 , ART 381 , ART 382 , ART 383 , ART 384 , ART 388 , ART 389 , ART 471 , ART 472 , ART 481 .
2. Four from: ART 304 , ART 327 , ART 328 , ART 392 , ART 402 , ART 404 , ART 405 .

     Printmaking

1. ART 122 , ARH 419 .
2. Nine from:  ART 235 , ART 327 , ART 337 , ART 338 , ART 339 , ART 341 , ART 343 , ART 344 , ART 345 , ART 356 , ART 490 .

   F. Program electives (6 credits).  Additional ART, ARH or COM courses at the 300 level or above.
  G. Free electives.  Additional courses in any subject, at the 200 level or above, to complete a total of 124 credits.
  H. Additional requirements.

1. Completion of at least 124 credits, including at least 33 at the 300 level or above, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or higher.
2. Presentation and review of a portfolio reflecting the chosen area of emphasis, with pass or failure in ART 240  and ART 495 .
3. Successful completion of a solo show and participation in a senior show.  Passing grade on oral exam in ART 498 .
4. At least 36 credits of ART and/or ARH courses taken at the University of Michigan-Flint.
5. Grades of at least C (2.0) or better in all ART and ARH required courses and program electives.