Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a professional program providing directed studies in eight studio concentrations within the visual arts. The program is designed for students seeking in-depth preparation for specialized goals selected from one of the following areas: ceramics, creative photography and experimental media, drawing and painting, entertainment art/animation, graphic and interactive design, illustration, jewelry and metals, and sculpture. The program develops the understanding and advanced specialized skills applicable to professional practice and to meet entrance requirements to graduate school.
In addition to the requirements for the major, students must meet all other university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Please consult the Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree section in this catalog for complete information.
To earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, students must achieve a “C” (2.0) or better in all art courses required for the degree.
Admission Requirements
Upon admission to the university as an art major, students are placed in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) category, whether entering as a freshman or transferring from another college/university. To qualify and apply to become a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) major, students must pass ART 103 , ART 104 , ART 107A and ART 107B with a combined GPA of 3.0 or better. Upon completion, students may contact a full-time faculty member about the portfolio review process and/or to initiate a Change of Academic Objective to change from the BA to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art. In their first semester of residency, transfer students who have completed the same specific 12 units of the Lower-Division Core or its equivalents (with a combined GPA of 3.0 or better) may contact a full-time faculty member about the portfolio review process and/or to initiate a Change of Academic Objective from the BA to BFA major.
Lower-Division Core (27 units)
Upper-Division Core (18 units)
Note:
* Meets the University Writing Requirement
Illustration Concentration
The Illustration concentration provides students with the conceptual understanding, technical skills and practical experience to become effective and creative communicators and visual storytellers in the field of illustration.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance to the B.F.A. in Illustration is by portfolio review only and is for currently accepted and enrolled art majors who demonstrate excellence as creative communicators and visual storytellers in the field of illustration. The portfolio review process takes place in the fall and spring semesters, once a student has completed ART 103 , ART 104 , ART 107A and ART 107B with a 3.0 GPA or better, completed ART 117 and passed a minimum of 30 degree units, but no more than 96 units. Students have up to two attempts to qualify for the B.F.A., provided they meet the criteria and have not exceeded 96 units toward the degree. Students should meet with an adviser in the Illustration concentration to verify that they meet the criteria and unit counts. To apply for a portfolio review, students can pick up an application at the Department of Art office. The portfolio applications are due either mid-September or mid-March, and must be complete for full consideration. Students will be informed by email concerning the portfolio application, including formats and guidelines, several weeks before its due date. Faculty members will review portfolios, which include the application, artist statement and examples of artwork to determine admittance into the B.F.A. degree in Illustration. B.F.A. transfer applicants who meet the minimum major-specific requirements will be invited to submit a portfolio application upon admittance to the university. Submitting a portfolio when applying to CSUF will count as the first attempt.
Lower-Division Courses (6 units)
