Summary
The Interdisciplinary Art & Design BFA (Catalog Year 26/27) at College for Creative Studies is a standard four-year, full-time program requiring 120–122 credits that combines 15 credits of foundation courses, 42 credits of general education, 51 credits of major (studio and lecture) coursework including 33 credits of studio electives, and 6 open elective credits; the curriculum is laid out as a semester-by-semester 4‑year plan with key courses such as IAD-105, IAD-305, IAD-308, IAD-310, and the two-part thesis (IAD-407/IAD-408), plus specified AHV, WRT, science and humanities requirements, recommended course lists and mentoring for studio elective approvals, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for graduation.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
Catalog Year 26/27
Standard 4 Year Pathway (full-time status)
Total Credits 120-122
First Year
Second Year
Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| GUS-100 Undergraduate Studio Elective ‖ | 3 |
| GUS-100 Undergraduate Studio Elective ‖ | 3 |
| WRT-102 Composition II (CR) | 3 |
| Choose one course: AHV-203 Global Art History I (MR) AHV-204 Global Art History II (MR) | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 |
Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| GUS-200 Undergraduate Studio Elective ‖ | 3 |
| GUS-200 Undergraduate Studio Elective ‖ | 3 |
| Humanities: Choose from approved list (CE) | 3 |
| General Education Elective | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 |
Third Year
Fifth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| IAD-305 Art As Narrative | 3 |
| GUS 200-400 Undergraduate Studio Elective | 3 |
| Science Elective 200-400 level (CE) | 3 |
| General Education Elective | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 |
Sixth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| IAD-308 IAD Junior Thesis | 3 |
| IAD-310 IAD Research & Portfolio | 3 |
| GUS 200-400 Undergraduate Studio Elective | 3 |
| AHV 200-400 Art History & Visual Culture Course (CE) | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 |
Fourth Year
Seventh Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| IAD-407 Interdisciplinary Thesis I | 3 |
| GUS 300-400 Undergraduate Studio Elective | 3 |
| GUS 300-400 Undergraduate Studio Elective | 3 |
| AHV 200-400 Art History & Visual Culture Course (CE) | 3 |
| General Education Elective | 3 |
Eighth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| IAD-408 Interdisciplinary Thesis II | 3 |
| GUS 300-400 Undergraduate Studio Elective | 3 |
| GUS 300-400 Undergraduate Studio Elective | 3 |
| General Education Elective | 3 |
| General Education Elective | 3 |
Additional ”Program & Credit Requirement Details” attached; includes ”approved course lists” and ”recommended courses (RC)” for any requirements with noted selections. Enrolled students should view Self-Service (My Progress/Plan & Schedule) for complete program information; see catalog for additional course details and descriptions.
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.
Program & Credit Requirement Details
| Degree Requirements | Total credits required | Requirement Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience | 1.0 | SLP-007 is waived for eligible transfer students with 12.0 (or more) college. |
| Foundations | 15.0 | Required for all majors. Successfully complete listed DFN Foundation courses for enrolled major; requirements may vary per major. IAD majors will select DFN FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS (1-3), based on interests and skill development needs. |
| General Education | 42.0 | Liberal Arts courses required for all undergraduate majors; total credits may vary per program. |
| General Education Undergrad CORE Requirements (CR) | 12.0 | Successfully complete WRT & AHV core general education prerequisites requirements (Composition pathways may vary based on completed assessments, test scores or transfer credits). |
| General Education MAJOR Requirements (MR) | 6.0 | Successfully complete major specific Liberal Arts. Requirements vary per major. |
| For “AHV Choose from approved Art History list” (3.0 credits), see below course options (based on availability and/or approval as required): AHV 206 HISTORY OF AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION AHV 213 HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY AHV 214 HISTORY OF ANIMATION AND DIGITAL MEDIA AHV 215 HISTORY OF FILM AHV 216 HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES AHV 218 CONTEMPORARY ART AHV 221 HISTORY OF INTERIOR DESIGN AHV 241 HISTORY OF MODERN DESIGN AHV 247 HISTORY OF COMMUNICATION DESIGN I AHV 248 HISTORY OF COMMUNICATION DESIGN II AHV 251 HISTORY OF CRAFTS AHV 252 HISTORY OF FASHION | ||
| General Education Undergrad CORE Electives (CE) | 9.0 | Successfully complete core general education electives required for all UG majors (Science, Humanities, Art History & Visual Culture) as outlined on 4 year pathway/degree requirements: |
| 3.0 cr. Science: Successfully complete one course from the SCI subject; 200-400 level | ||
| 3.0 cr. Humanities Option: Successfully complete one of the following approved courses: LIT 239, LIT 203, DHS 201, DSS 215, DSS 240 or DPL 201 | ||
| 3.0 cr. Art History & Visual Culture: Successfully complete course from AHV subject, 200-400 level | ||
| General Education Electives | 15.0 | Successfully complete any non-required 200-400 level Liberal Arts course from subject codes: AHV, BUS, DHS, DPL, DSS, SCI, WRT, LIT (Total Gen.Ed Elective credits vary per major). (RC) Recommended course towards General Education Elective credits: BUS 213 Business Practices |
| Major § | 51.0 | Studio and/or lecture courses specific to major focus. § |
| Major Courses § | 18.0 | Successfully complete listed DMA courses in 4 year plan, by recommended sequence (based on prerequisites). |
| Major Electives General “Undergraduate Studio Electives” (GUS) | 33.0 | Successfully complete studio electives for the IAD major from an “approved” major/department. Mentoring is required for course approvals. |
| Open Electives | 6.0 | Successfully complete 100-400 level courses from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture). |
| Total Program Credits | 121.0 | Total credits required 120 – 122 ‡ |
| Undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program, GPA minimum requirement = 2.0 | ||
Footnotes
* ELS 101 Composition I for Multilingual Students 4.0 cr.
† WRT 101/102 Self Placement Survey available.
‡ Based on SLP 007 (1.0 cr.) and ELS 101 (4.0 cr.)
§ Remaining Major course sequence impacts timeline to degree completion.
‖ Must be satisfied at the level listed; other electives must be taken within the range listed (exp. 200-400 level).