The following is a sample of credit requirements for BFA programs. Refer to the Curriculum Chart for a desired major to view course outlines by semester. Foundation blocks are designed for intended majors. Required General Education and Open Elective credits vary by major.
Total Credits = 9.0 *Students placing out of DEN101 may substitute the requirement with General Education Elective credits and will maintain Composition II as required for all Undergraduate majors.
Total Credits = 9.0† †Amount of DAH / DVC Elective varies by major= min 3 credits required.
Natural Science
DNS 200-400
Natural Science
Total Credits = 3.0
General Education Electives
200-400 level
General Education Elective
Total Credits = 6.0‡ ‡Amount of General Education Electives varies widely by major. Minimum 6 credits required across all majors, up to 15. See advisor for details.
Major & Elective Credits
Major Credits (Studio, Lecture & Electives)
Varies by major department
Total Credits = 51 – 66‡ ‡Amount of General Education Electives varies widely by major. Minimum 6 credits required across all majors, up to 15. See advisor for details.
Open Electives
Any 3.0 credit course, 100 level or higher
Total Credits = 3.0 – 12.0‡ ‡Amount of General Education Electives varies widely by major. Minimum 6 credits required across all majors, up to 15. See advisor for details.
Catalog Year 24/25
Total BFA Credits Required for CCS Majors 120-121
Credits towards a future program are not official until a major has been declared and credits are confirmed by the Academic Advising & Registration Office upon review of an official degree audit. Actual credits and/or courses required are based on requirements outlined on curriculum charts for the designated major.
Foundation Program/Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Program Overview
First Semester = 16 Credit Hours
*Actual Foundation courses confirmed in advising meeting
Course #
Course Title
Credits
SLP 007
CCS First Year Experience
1
DFN —
Foundation Requirement 1
3*
DFN —
Foundation Requirement 2
3*
DFN —
Foundation Requirement 3
3*
DFN 150
Discovering Your Practice
3
DVC 100
Material Culture
3
*Students placing out of DEN101 may substitute the requirement with General Education Elective credits and will maintain Composition II as required for all Undergraduate majors.
Sample Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours
**All courses based on major selection in first semester
Course #
Course Title
Credits
DFN —
Foundation Requirement 4
3†
DFN —
Foundation Requirement 5
3†
DFN —
Foundation Requirement 6
3†‡
D– —
Department Major Studio
3†‡
D– —
Department Major Studio
3†
DEN 101
Composition I
3
†Amount of DAH / DVC Elective varies by major= min 3 credits required. ‡Choose one of the indicated courses.
Major Declaration required by 14th week of first semester!
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
First Year Experience=1;Foundations=15; Major=69; Gen Ed=33; Open Elective=3
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
*Choose one of the indicated courses. †Choose from selected courses in the Studio Art & Craft Electives table below to satisfy the Sophomore SAC Studio Elective requirements.
*Choose one of the indicated courses. †Choose from selected courses in the Studio Art & Craft Electives table below to satisfy the Sophomore SAC Studio Elective requirements.
*Choose one of the indicated courses. ‡DAH/DVC must be taken at the 200 level or higher
Eighth Semester
15 Credit Hours
Course #
Course Title
Credits
SAC 451
Senior Studio II
3
SAC —
SAC Studio Elective
3
D— 200-400
General Education Elective
3
D— 200-400
General Education Elective
3
D– 100-400
Open Elective
3
Catalog Year 24/25
Total Credits 120-121
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
†Sophomore SAC Studio Elective – Choose from the selected Studio Art & Craft courses listed below to satisfy the Sophomore SAC Studio Elective requirements.
DPM 115 Intro to Printmaking
DME 140 Metalsmithing/Jewelry
DPM 215 Intermediate Printmaking
DFA 120 Painting I
DME 175 Blacksmithing
DFA 251 Painting II
DSC 130 Intro to Sculpture
DME 245 Casting
DSC 231 Sculpture: Fabrication
DFD 111 Intro to Fibers Surfaces
DCE 135 Handbuilding
DFD 112 Intro to Fiber Structures
DGL 142 Beginning Glassblowing
DCE 105 Wheel Throwing
DGL 140 Cast Glass
SAC Studio Electives – Successfully complete any (non-required) course from the Studio Art & Craft Department within the following subject areas to satisfy the SAC Studio Elective credits: DFA (SAC Painting & Drawing ), DDG (SAC Digital Media) , DSC (SAC Sculpture), DPM (SAC Printmaking) , DFD (SAC Textile & Fibers) , DGL (SAC Glass) , DME (SAC Metal/Jewery) ; DCE (SAC Ceramics)
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Art Practice, Crafts & Material Studies Faculty
Ebiyenyefa Baralaye MFA, Cranbrook Academy of Art BFA, Rhode Island School of Design
Lena Ellis-Boatman MFA, Michigan State University BFA, Bowling Green State University
Valerie Jenkins MFA, University of Minnesota BFA, Grand Valley State University
Chido Johnson MFA, University of Notre Dame BFA, University of Georgia
Thomas Madden MFA, Bowling Green State University BFA, Kansas State University
Jeremy Noonan MFA, Cranbrook Academy of Art BFA, College for Creative Studies
Kimberly H. Scott MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago BFA, Rhode Island School of Design
*Choose one of the indicated courses †DAH/DVC must be taken at the 200 level or higher
Catalog Year 24/25
Total Credits 120/121
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
First Year Experience=1;Foundations=15;Major=60; Gen Ed=39; Open Electives=6
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
Total credits: 121: First Year Experience=1; Foundations=15; Major=57; Gen Ed=42; Elective=6
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Photography Faculty
Scott Northrup MA, The New School BFA, College for Creative Studies
Eleanor Oakes MFA, Stanford University BFA, Princeton University
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
First Year Experience=1;Foundations=18; Major=60; Gen Ed=36; Open Electives=6
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Interior Design Faculty
Sandra Olave MFA, College for Creative Studies BFA, Universidad Autonoma Del Caribe
*Choose one of the indicated courses †DAH/DVC must be taken at the 200 level or higher
Catalog Year 24/25
Total Credits 120/121
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
Total credits: 121: First Year Experience=1;Foundations=15; Major=51; Gen Ed=42; Open Electives=12
GUS – Undergraduate Studio Elective – Required studio electives for the IAD major from an approved major/department. GUS course levls with an (*) exp. GUS 200*, must be satisfied at the level listed; other electives must be taken within the range listed (exp. 200-400 level). Mentoring is required for course approvals.
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Film, Interdisciplinary Art & Design Faculty
Scott Northrup MA, The New School BFA, College for Creative Studies
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
Total credits: 121; First Year Experience=1; Foundations=15; Major=57; Gen Ed=42; Elective=6
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Illustration Faculty
Gil Ashby MFA, School of Visual Arts BFA, School of Visual Arts
Elizabeth Bauer MFA, University of Notre Dame BFA, Ringling College of Art and Design
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
Total credits: 121: First Year Experience=1;Foundations=15; Major=57; Gen Ed=42; Elective=6
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Film, Interdisciplinary Art & Design Faculty
Scott Northrup MA, The New School BFA, College for Creative Studies