Northern State University
BFA in Studio Art
Aberdeen, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 28,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* estimated yearly total for international students; USD 17,677 - estimated yearly total for residents
Introduction
Northern's Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with studio art emphasis is designed to take you and your art to a professional level.
The BFA in Studio Arts degree program prepares you to excel in highly technical areas of art, including:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
It's the perfect gateway to attending graduate school for a master of fine arts degree (MFA) or doctorate in art education degree.
With this professional degree, you can investigate visual and aesthetic discourse within your own artistic practice and in the context of history and contemporary culture. Because a BFA requires more art studio and art history courses, you'll engage with your discipline on a professional level, preparing you for careers in art fields or for graduate studies. You'll build a strong foundation in art technique and history and learn to research problems that require visual solutions. Through critical study, you can become a creative problem solver and evolve into a natural leader - unleashing your career potential.
The program offers three areas of emphasis:
- 2D art: paintings, drawings, prints, and photography
- 3D art: computer models, animations, and sculptures
- Interdisciplinary media: photo imaging and technology-based art
With a solid foundation gained early in the program among media, styles, and methodology, followed by challenging classes with a focus on your individual interests, you'll have plenty of time and opportunity to grow your artistic practice before entering the workforce.
Program Outcome
- Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with fundamental concepts of visual art and design. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
- Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with fundamental precepts in art and design history. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Intercultural Knowledge)
- Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with fine art media. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
- Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with digital art media. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
- Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with professional methods of practice. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving)
Curriculum
First Year Fall
- IDL 190, Freshman Seminar 2
- SPCM 101, Fundamentals of Speech* 3
- Natural Science with Lab Course 3-4
- ART 111, Drawing I 3
- ART 121, Design I 2D 3
First Year Spring
- ENGL 101, Composition I 3
- MATH 103, Mathematical Reasoning* 3
- ART 112, Drawing II 3
- ART 123, Three Dimensional Design 3
- ART 241, Sculpture I 3
Second Year Fall
- ENGL 201, Composition II 3
- Behavioral/Social Sciences Course 3
- ART 251, Ceramics I 3
- ARTD 113, Introduction to Digital Media 3
- ARTH 211, History of World Art I 3
Second Year Spring
- Arts and Humanities Course 3
- Behavioral/Social Sciences Course 3
- Natural Science with Lab Course 3-4
- ART 270, Photography Techniques I 3
- ARTH 212, History of World Art II 3
Third Year Fall
- ART 231, Painting I 3
- ARTH 311, History of World Art III 3
- Major Elective Course 3
- Studio Art Emphasis Course 3
- Studio Art Emphasis Course 3
Third Year Spring
- ART 281, Printmaking I 3
- ARTH 312, History of Graphic Design ** 3
- Major Elective Course 3
- Major Elective Course 3
- Studio Art Emphasis Course 3
Fourth Year Fall
- ART 498, Undergraduate Research and Scholarship 3
- Major Elective Course 3
- Studio Art Emphasis Course 3
- Studio Art Emphasis Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
Fourth Year Spring
- ART 489, Senior Capstone 3
- Major Elective Course 3
- Studio Art Emphasis Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3
- Elective or Minor Course 3-4
*Fulfills a General Education Requirement. Other course options may be available.
**Fulfills a major requirement. Other course options may be available.
**Fulfills a general elective. Other course options may be available.
This plan of study is not an official document. Depending on placement scores, developmental courses may be required. Course rotations may change. Please visit with a professional advisor at least once a semester to review appropriate course choices and plan updates.
Career Opportunities
A BFA in Digital Media presents several potential career paths, including designer, art director, arts manager, independent artist, museum facilitator, and curator. According to Americans for the Arts, 72 percent of all employers say that creativity and critical thinking are necessary characteristics of business leaders and that creativity is the No. 1 skill they seek when hiring.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
The art department offers a variety of competitive, merit-based awards. Scholarship assistance requires strong academic performance, minimum GPA of 3.0, and demonstrated potential for academic and career success. Scholarships also are available for minority students and students who excel in specific art disciplines or media.