ARST-BA - Art

Program Website

The B.A. degree offers students with varied interests in university study a sound footing in the visual, tactile, and conceptual capabilities, as well as historical and cultural knowledge and a range of theoretical and analytical bases, for making art. To earn a B.A., the student is required to take a minimum of 39 hours in the Division of Art and 9 hours in the Department of Art History.

The B.A. in art is designed to offer students a degree in art that allows time for significant study in another discipline as well. This makes room for double majors and extensive study in the humanities, sciences or other degree programs.

Art majors may not declare an art minor or a photography minor.

Courses

Studio courses generally require six hours per week of in-class work. Students should enroll with a commitment to regular attendance and should expect to spend additional time outside of class to complete coursework.

Prerequisites and Course Fees

Many courses at the 3000 level and all courses at the 5000 level require prerequisite coursework. Students with transfer credit equivalent to required prerequisites may experience issues enrolling in associated upper-level courses and should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for assistance.

Almost all studio art courses have a course fee. These fees allow the Division to purchase materials and equipment, often at university or bulk-discounted rates, and support the maintenance and upkeep of studio facilities. Some courses may require additional materials or tools beyond those covered by the course fee. Course fees may be reviewed on the SMU Bursar’s Tuition and Fees webpage.

Degree Requirements and Sequence

The Art curriculum includes Studio Art - General (ASAG) and seven specialized studio areas, organized by discipline and course prefix: Ceramics (ASCE), Drawing (ASDR), Painting (ASPT), Digital/Hybrid Media (ASIM), Photography (ASPH), Printmaking (ASPR), and Sculpture (ASSC). Courses are offered at the 1000, 3000, and 5000 levels.

Both the B.A. and B.F.A. degree plans require a combination of courses within the following categories: Foundations, Required Art Courses, Advanced Art Studies, Additional Art Studies, and Art History.

All students pursuing the B.A. or B.F.A. in Art fulfill the Foundations requirements in the fall semester of the first year by completing ASAG 1300 Observation and ASAG 1304 Spaces. In the spring semester of the first year, students pursuing the B.F.A. in Art must also complete ASAG 1308 Narrative and ASAG 1312 Systems.

To fulfill the Required Art Courses, all B.A. and B.F.A. students take ASAG 3390 Advanced Studio I in the fall semester of the third year. In the spring semester of the senior year, all B.A. and B.F.A. students take ASAG 5310 Professional Practices and ASAG 5315 Advanced Studio II.

Advanced Art Studies requirements are fulfilled through eligible studio art courses at the 3000 level or above. Additional Art Studies requirements may be fulfilled through studio art courses at any course level. Students often use 1000-level Art courses to fulfill Additional Art Studies requirements while also completing prerequisites necessary to enroll in advanced studio courses. Art History courses are offered through the Department of Art History and carry the ARHS course prefix.

Students should consult the B.A. and B.F.A. degree requirement pages for the specific requirements of each degree and may track their degree progress in my.SMU.

Studio course offerings vary by semester, and not all courses are offered every term. The Division generally offers introductory and intermediate or advanced coursework across the seven specialized studio areas in each semester.