Summary
The Undeclared page of the 2026–2027 Academic Catalog outlines the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree requirements for students who have not yet declared a major: total program credits are 120–122, with a prescribed first-year schedule (16 credits first semester, 15 credits second semester) that includes foundation DFN courses, a First Year Experience, and WRT-101; students must declare a major by the 14th week of the first semester. The page explains that foundation, general education (33–42 credits), major (51–69 credits), and open elective requirements vary by chosen major, lists example foundation course groupings by major area, notes a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and emphasizes that actual credits and course sequences depend on the declared major and advisor-confirmed degree audit, with several footnotes clarifying placement, transfer, and program-specific exceptions.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
Catalog Year 26/27
Total BFA Credits Required for CCS Majors 120-122 ††
Total Credits 120-122
First Year
Major Declaration required by 14th week of first semester!
UNDERGRADUATE (BFA) PROGRAM INFORMATION
Program & Credit Requirement Details (actual credits based on selected major)
The following is a sample of credit requirements for BFA programs. Refer to the Curriculum/Program Guide 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 (and may differ for students declaring Art Education; see Major/Art Ed Curriculum Charts).
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 – 18.0 | Required for all majors. Successfully complete listed DFN Foundation courses for enrolled major; requirements may vary per major. |
| COMMUNICATION DESIGN + STRATEGY, FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY – 15.0 CR. DFN-119 DIGITAL TECHNIQUES DFN-120 DESIGN COLOR & CONTEXT DFN-137 2D & 3D INTEGRATED DESIGN STUDIO DFN-138 4D DESIGN STUDIO ** DFN-142 PERFORMATIVE SPACES ENTERTAINMENT ARTS (ANIMATION, CONCEPT DESIGN, GAME) & ILLUSTRATION – 15.0 CR. DFN-101 DRAWING I: RAPID CONCEPTS DFN-112 DRAWING II: STYLE & SKILL DFN-132 PROCESS & MAKING DFN-117 2D DESIGN PRINCIPLES DFN-119 DIGITAL TECHNIQUES FASHION ACCESSORIES DESIGN – 15.0 CR. DFN-103 DRAWING I: MATERIALS & METHODS DFN-104 DRAWING II: DRAW. AS STUDIO PRACTICE DFN-118 3D DESIGN-FORMS & SPACE DFN-120 DESIGN COLOR & CONTEXT DFN-119 DIGITAL TECHNIQUES FASHION DESIGN – 15.0 CR. DFN-103 DRAWING I: MATERIALS & METHODS DFN-104 DRAWING II: DRAW. AS STUDIO PRACTICE DFN-121 3D DESIGN: MATERIAL & METHODS DFN-120 DESIGN COLOR & CONTEXT DFN-119 DIGITAL TECHNIQUES INTERDISCIPLINARY ART & DESIGN – 15.0 CR. DFN FOUNDATION REQUIREMENT 1 (SELECT) DFN FOUNDATION REQUIREMENT 2 (SELECT) DFN FOUNDATION REQUIREMENT 3 (SELECT) DFN-116 3D TECHNIQUES DFN-119 DIGITAL TECHNIQUES INTERIOR DESIGN – 15.0 CR. DFN-101 DRAWING I: RAPID CONCEPTS DFN-112 DRAWING II: STYLE & SKILL DFN-137 2D & 3D INTEGRATED DESIGN STUDIO DFN-120 DESIGN COLOR & CONTEXT DFN-138 4D DESIGN STUDIO PRODUCT DESIGN – 15.0 CR. DFN-101 DRAWING I: RAPID CONCEPTS DFN-112 DRAWING II: STYLE & SKILL DFN-132 PROCESS & MAKING DFN-118 3D DESIGN-FORMS & SPACE DFN-119 DIGITAL TECHNIQUES STUDIO ART & CRAFT – 18.0 CR. DFN-103 DRAWING I: MATERIALS & METHODS DFN-104 DRAWING II: DRAW. AS STUDIO PRACTICE DFN-118 3D DESIGN-FORMS & SPACE DFN-116 3D TECHNIQUES DFN-120 DESIGN COLOR & CONTEXT DFN-119 DIGITAL TECHNIQUES TRANSPORTATION DESIGN – 15.0 CR. DFN-101 DRAWING I: RAPID CONCEPTS DFN-112 DRAWING II: STYLE & SKILL DFN-116 3D TECHNIQUES DFN-117 2D DESIGN PRINCIPLES DFN-118 3D DESIGN-FORMS & SPACE | ||
| General Education | 33.0 – 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) | 3.0 – 9.0 | Successfully complete major specific Liberal Arts. Requirements vary per major. |
| 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 | 12.0 – 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). |
| Major § | 51.0 – 69.0 | Studio and/or lecture courses specific to major focus. |
| Major Courses § | 69.0 | Successfully complete listed DTR courses in 4 year plan, by recommended sequence (based on prerequisites) |
| Major Electives | 0.0 | Non-required major courses with subject code DTR are considered major electives; exceptions require approval. |
| Open Electives | 0.0 – 12.0 | Successfully complete 100-400 level courses from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture). |
| Total Program Credits | 120.0 – 122.0 | 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.
¶ Actual Foundation courses confirmed in advising meeting. All courses based on major selection in first semester.
** DFN 116 accepted as alternative for FILM majors
†† 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 (students declaring Art Education may have fewer General Education credits due to the required credits for Art Ed, see Major/Art Ed curriculum charts).