The curriculum for all degrees allows students to develop critical thinking skills and technical expertise in an interdisciplinary environment.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in art degree prepares students for professional careers in art and design, in addition to helping them find their place in contemporary artistic practice. This program is designed to allow students to have intensive study in a media area of their choice (graphic design, painting/drawing, photography, ceramics, printmaking, and digital media/animation/motion graphics), as well as the opportunity to explore other art media. It is the degree most often required for admission to graduate programs offering the Master of Fine Arts degree, which is the most accepted terminal degree in art and the degree required for college-level teaching. All B.F.A. students are required to minor in art history.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in art degree ensures that the student has completed a major study in the visual arts and its histories as an integral part of a general liberal arts degree program. Students choose an area of specialization: art history or art. A double specialization in both art history and art is also possible; students should talk to their faculty mentor for more information. Students complete a minor of their choice with the B.A. degree.
General Requirements
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in art complete the four core course requirements before taking intermediary and upper division courses. In the core courses, students learn skills that are foundational to art and design, in addition to developing sound studio practices. These courses form the foundation that will support students as they work towards designing a curriculum in their areas of emphasis. Students in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program will take introductory courses as dictated by their choice of specialization (art or art history). Internships for both B.F.A. and B.A. students are strongly encouraged but are not required.
Students seeking secondary teacher certification in art should consult their faculty mentors to determine subject area courses that are appropriate and the Oklahoma State Department of Education regarding alternative certification.
Most studio classes require lab fees to cover the cost of most supplies used in class. See the Tuition and Fees section of this Bulletin for more information.
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the undergraduate program in fine arts will:
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Demonstrate high level of conceptual and technical competency within at least one area of emphasis.
a. Students are evaluated on drawing competency, both as a stand-alone media and how these skills are applied in other media areas.
b. Students are evaluated on design knowledge and competency, both as a stand-alone media and how these skills are applies in other media areas.
c. Student projects are evaluated on the level of proficiency with the selected media and whether or not the student shows the potential for broad ranging technical refinement and sensitivity to materials.
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Exhibit evidence of professionalism by developing a cohesive body of work, resume and artist statement, demonstrating the ability to apply historical and contemporary contexts to their own practice.
a. Student work is evaluated on whether or not there is evidence of conceptual development - meaning, the content of the work clearly expresses an original, creative, and thought-provoking theme, reflecting a strong personal direction in regard to the subject matter and the execution of their work. Technical proficiency/mastery in their chosen media area is evaluated in regard to how that supports the conceptual focus of the work.
b. Student work demonstrates a clear and insightful knowledge of past and present artistic influences and precedents (as reflected in the work and in the artist statement). Sometimes knowledge of historical context is reflected in targeted projects, but this attribute should become increasingly evident in the overall body of work as the students take higher level art courses (Note: all studio courses include aspects of viewing/discussing historical and contemporary artists relevant to the media area being taught).
c. Students are expected to exhibit evidence of the ability to properly document their work and develop well-written supporting professional materials (resumes, cover letters, etc.).
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Successful execution of final project or exhibition, including written artist statement, which illustrates stylistic and conceptual competency of chosen art form.
a. Overall quality of the portfolio is evaluated as to whether or not the body of work reflects a high degree of consistency in quality, and in cohesiveness of theme, content and stylistic approach.
b. Professionalism is also evaluated as part of PLO 3 by looking at the quality of the images and supporting professional materials submitted.
c. Student final exhibitions and/or Senior projects are evaluated on their quality and execution.
