Fine Arts Major (B.F.A.)

https://cola.unh.edu/art-art-history/program/bfa/fine-arts

Incoming first-year and transfer applicants wishing to enter the bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree program must first apply for, and be admitted to, the bachelor of arts (B.A.) in the Arts: Studio Art option. Students may submit a B.F.A. portfolio after they begin their studies at UNH, as early as the spring semester of their first year. A full faculty review is held each spring semester.

The B.F.A. curriculum provides advanced training for students who plan to enter professional graduate school or pursue careers as professional artists.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

  • Students must complete a minimum of 17 courses and (72 credits) for the major requirements.
  • Major courses must completed with a minimum grade of C in each course. The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.
  • Fine arts majors may use two major-required courses to satisfy two Discovery category requirements.
  • Transfer of 3-credit courses from other institutions will require additional course(s) to fulfill the major requirement of 72 credits. Transfer courses can fulfill only 8 requirements.
Required Courses
Core Foundation
ARTS 510Principles of Design4
ARTS 532Introductory Drawing4
ARTS 567Introductory Sculpture4
Core Supplemental
Select one 500/600 level 2D course from the following:4
Introduction Printmaking: Intaglio
Painting Design I: Perceptual Painting and Color Theory
Drawing Workshop
Select one 500-level 3D course from the following:4
Introductory Ceramics
Introductory Woodworking
Select one Photography course from the following:4
Introduction to Darkroom Photography
Introductory Digital Photography
Core Seminars
ARTS 598An Artist's Life4
ARTS 798Seminar/Senior Thesis (two-semester course)8
Concentration Courses
Select five (5) Studio courses in a concentration (see concentration courses below)20
Advanced Studio Seminar
ARTS 780Advanced Studio Seminar4
Core Art History
Select one course from the following:4
Introduction to Architectural History
Introduction to Art History
Introduction to Global Art History
Select two 600-level or above art history courses from the following:8
Greek Art and Architecture
Romanesque and Gothic Art
Early Renaissance Art
The High Renaissance
Sex and Sensuality in 18th-Century Art
Histories of Late 19th & 20th Century European Modernism
Vision and Modernity: From Panorama to Early Film
Topics in Art History
Understanding Art History: An In-Depth Overview
Total Credits72

Concentration Courses

  • Students select five concentration courses total.
  • Minimum of four 600-700 level studio courses.
  • No more than one of the following: ARTS 600 Internship in Studio Art (with approval), a 600-700 level art history (see selection of courses in art history requirement above), or a 500-level studio course (select from ARTS 501, ARTS 525ARTS 536, ARTS 546, ARTS 551, ARTS 552, ARTS 596).
  • January Term and Summer online courses cannot be used.
Ceramics Workshop (may be repeated)
Principles of Typography
Animation and Motion Design
Interaction & Game Design
Design and Place
Design and People
Wood/Furniture Design Workshop (may be repeated)
Printmaking Workshop (may be repeated)
Photography Workshop (may be repeated)
Sculpture Workshop (may be repeated)
Independent Study: Studio Art (K: Wood Design, may be repeated)

The possible areas of concentration within the department are painting, sculpture, ceramics, design, drawing, printmaking, photography, and furniture design. Proposals for individualized programs are accepted only by permission of the departmental chairperson, the major adviser, and the departmental bachelor of fine arts committee. Candidates applying for the bachelor of fine arts program are required to submit a portfolio to the B.F.A. committee, which meets each spring semester.

The Discovery Program capstone requirement may be fulfilled by completing .

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Introductory (500) Level:

  • Basic skillset in a particular arts discipline
  • Working knowledge of the tools and materials used in a particular arts discipline
  • Basic understanding of analytical thinking when making and talking about art
  • Demonstrate development of artistry

Intermediate (500/600) Level:

  • Demonstrate development of artistry and skill set in a range of artistic disciplines
  • Demonstrate knowledge of tools and materials beyond the basics
  • Deeper ability to discuss and analyze works of art
  • Ability to verbalize intent in a particular work of art
  • Ability to research particular artists
  • Ability to declare an area of concentration for advanced in a particular arts discipline

Advanced (600/700) Level:

  • Demonstrate a high level of artistry
  • Ability to work independently
  • Develop and Demonstrate an individual sensibility
  • Ability to understand and verbalize intent in a work of art
  • Ability to construct a professional capstone portfolio or thesis
  • Demonstrate in-depth familiarity with a range of artistic movements both historical and contemporary