Art and Design (BFA)

BFA in Art and Design

The BFA in Art and Design offers three options that students can choose from within the major: a Graphic Design Option, an Art Option, or an Art Education option. 

The BFA in Art and Design: Graphic Design Option includes a core of Art and Art History Foundation courses, core graphic design courses and a cumulative Art and Design Capstone course. This degree helps students develop visual understanding, critical thinking and problem solving that will help them for a career in Graphic Design. 

          Learning Outcomes:  

  • Learn foundational art and design skills. 
  • Students are able to demonstrate expertise as visual communicators.
  • Students are able to approach design problems through the integration of conceptual and practical aspects of the design process with critical acumen and creative innovation.
  • Students develop projects through a combination and balance of both: a) skills developed toward conceptual analyzation, and b) skills in technical proficiency with digital software media.
  • Students are able to engage in sustained research necessary to develop comprehensive corporate identity projects involving logo applications, packaging design, promotional and sales displays, publications, market analysis, client need analysis, comparison of competitors in the market, and target audience analysis.

The BFA in Art and Design: Art Option includes a core of Foundation courses, Art History courses, Upper-Level Focus Area Art courses and a cumulative Art and Design Capstone course. Within this degree option students can select from a variety of Art courses in Studio Art, Graphic Design, Art History and Art Education to build their own degree based on student interest in order to prepare them for a career within the Arts. 

         Learning Outcomes:  

  • Prepare students for professional careers relating to Art and Design and beyond incorporating problem solving, creative thinking, and peer discussion and review
  • Learn foundational art skills
  • Develop an historical framework of fields in Art through contemporary Art History knowledge
  • Learn to work in multiple medias with potential to choose focus area
  • Cumulative Capstone that brings together students to discuss contemporary issues, ideas, in a peer review environment
  • Develop Professional Development Skills (Integrate social media, web design, and marketing to promote a vision) 

The BFA in Art and Design: Art Education option incudes a core of Foundation courses, Art History courses, Art Education courses, and Studio courses designed to help the Art Education candidate to develop a broad range of skills for their future classrooms. Additionally, multiple classroom observation opportunities will occur formally throughout each year and will culminate in a full semester teaching internship in a K-12 school (split into two opportunities, K8 and then 9-12.)  

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
AR 1045Art Foundations 2D: Composition and Content4
AR 1065Art Foundations 3D: Design and Meaning4
AR 1075Art Foundations Drawing: Line and Language4
AH 1150Art History Foundations: Prehistory to 1400 (GACO)4
AH 1160Art History Foundations: 1400-19404
AG 2100Design Software Basics (TECO)4
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
MAMathematics Foundations3-4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SIDIScientific Inquiry Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 14-8
DICODiversity Connection3-4
WECOWellness Connection3-4
Option Requirements
Complete one from the following required options:61-65
Graphic Design
Art
Art Education
Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16 credits because CTDI is waived for BFA.

The BFA in Art and Design offers three options that students can choose from within the major: Graphic Design Option, Art Education Option, or an Art Option. 

Graphic Design Option of BFA

The Graphic Design Option includes a core of Foundation courses, Art History courses, Upper-Level Graphic Design Courses (Focus Area), an Integrated Projects course, and a cumulative Art and Design capstone course.  The intent and focus of the Graphic Design option is to graduate students who demonstrate expertise as visual communicators. This option prepares students with a solid visual/educational experience by developing their capacity for critical thinking toward problem-solving, stimulating their creativity and imagination, and preparing them for a wide variety of jobs in graphic design.   

Course Title Credits
Option Requirements
AG 2300Typography4
AG 3200Imagery4
AG 3400History of Graphic Design (INCO,INCP,WRCO)4
AG 3700PSU Student Design Company4
AG 4200UX/UI: Digital Identity4
AG 4400Brand Design4
AG 3800Publication Design (QRCO)4
AG 3750Advanced Design Software4
AR 4900Art and Design Capstone4
Photography or 3000/4000 level Art course3-4
Free Elective Credits21-23
Total Credits60-63

Art Education Option of BFA

The BFA in Art and Design: Art Education option incudes a core of Foundation courses, Art History courses, Art Education courses, and Studio courses designed to help the Art Education candidate to develop a broad range of skills for their future classrooms. Additionally, multiple classroom observation opportunities will occur formally throughout each year and will culminate in a full semester teaching internship in a K-12 school (split into two opportunities, K- 8 and then 9-12.)

Course Title Credits
AE 2550Foundations of Art Education4
AE 2660Planning and Pedagogy for a Diverse World (DICO)4
AE 3550Methods and Materials4
AE 3770Curriculum and Assessment4
AE 4880Seminar in Art Education1
AE 4990Art Education Internship in Teaching: K-1212
AH 3000Contemporary Art Since 1940 (GACO,WRCO)4
AR 3015Painting: Observation4
AR 3295Printmaking: Cut, Carve, Etch4
AR 3060Multi-Media: Design for the Body (QRCO)4
or AR 3160 Multi-Media: Objects and Design (QRCO)
AR 3220Multi-Media: Ceramic Concepts4
or AR 3230 Multi-Media: Ceramic Design
AR 3940Advanced Multi-Disciplinary Studio4
ED 2400Child and Youth Development in Context (WECO)4
ED 2800Inclusive Education and Technology (TECO)4
or SE 3090 Introduction to Special Education: Middle and Secondary
Free Elective Credits3-5
Total Credits64-66

Art Option of BFA

The Art Option includes a core of Foundation courses, Art History courses, Upper-Level Art Courses (Focus Area), and a cumulative Art and Design capstone course.  Within this degree option students can select from a variety of Art courses in Studio Art, Graphic Design, Art History, and Art Education to build their own degree based on student interest in order to prepare them for a career within the Arts. 

Course Title Credits
Option Requirements
AH 3000Contemporary Art Since 1940 (GACO,WRCO)4
AR 4900Art and Design Capstone4
Focus Area - Create your own focus by selecting from any of the courses listed below:29-34
AR 3015Painting: Observation4
AR 3125Painting: Process Exploration4
AR 3160Multi-Media: Objects and Design (QRCO)4
AR 3060Multi-Media: Design for the Body (QRCO)4
AR 3220Multi-Media: Ceramic Concepts4
AR 3230Multi-Media: Ceramic Design4
AR 3295Printmaking: Cut, Carve, Etch4
AR 3325Printmaking: Silkscreen and Alternative Processes4
AR 3940Advanced Multi-Disciplinary Studio4
AR 3905Practicum1-4
AR 3575Art and Sustainability4
AR 4700Special Topics in Studio Art:3
AR 4910Independent Study in Studio Art1-4
AG 2300Typography4
AG 3200Imagery4
AG 3800Publication Design (QRCO)4
PT 2600Photography I3
AE 2550Foundations of Art Education4
AE 2660Planning and Pedagogy for a Diverse World (DICO)4
AE 3550Methods and Materials4
AE 3770Curriculum and Assessment4
AH 3735Gender, Representation, and the Visual Arts (DICO)4
AH 3880Renaissance Art in Southern Europe (GACO,INCO,INCP)4
Free Elective Credits15-24
Option Total Credits62-65

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Required Option in this Major:

Graphic Design

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
MAMathematics Foundations 3-4
AR 1045 Art Foundations 2D: Composition and Content 4
AR 1065 Art Foundations 3D: Design and Meaning 4
AR 1075 Art Foundations Drawing: Line and Language 4
AG 2100 Design Software Basics (TECO) 4
AH 1150 Art History Foundations: Prehistory to 1400 (GACO) 4
 Credits31-32
Year Two
AH 1160 Art History Foundations: 1400-1940 4
AG 2300 Typography 4
AG 3200 Imagery 4
AG 3400 History of Graphic Design (INCO,INCP,WRCO) 4
AG 3700 PSU Student Design Company 4
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
DICODiversity Connection 3-4
 Credits26-28
Year Three
AG 3800 Publication Design (QRCO) 4
AG 4200 UX/UI: Digital Identity 4
AG 3750 Advanced Design Software 4
Directions (choose from PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 16
 Credits28
Year Four
AG 4400 Brand Design 4
AR 4900 Art and Design Capstone 4
AR/PT Upper Level Art or Photography I 3-4
INCPIntegrated Capstone 3-4
Electives 16-18
 Credits30-34
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16 credits because CTDI is waived for BFA Art & Design.

Art

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
MAMathematics Foundations 3-4
AR 1045 Art Foundations 2D: Composition and Content 4
AR 1065 Art Foundations 3D: Design and Meaning 4
AR 1075 Art Foundations Drawing: Line and Language 4
AH 1160 Art History Foundations: 1400-1940 4
AH 1150 Art History Foundations: Prehistory to 1400 (GACO) 4
 Credits31-32
Year Two
Focus Area Course Selection 16
AG 2100 Design Software Basics (TECO) 4
Complete one QRCO: 4
Multi-Media: Design for the Body (QRCO)
Multi-Media: Objects and Design (QRCO)
Publication Design (QRCO)
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
DICODiversity Connection 3-4
 Credits30-32
Year Three
Focus Area Course Selection 9-12
AH 3000 Contemporary Art Since 1940 (GACO,WRCO) 4
Directions (choose from PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 16
 Credits29-32
Year Four
Focus Area Course Selection 4-6
AR 4900 Art and Design Capstone 4
INCPIntegrated Capstone 3-4
Electives 15
 Credits26-29
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16 credits because CTDI is waived for BFA Art & Design. 

Art Education  

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
MAMathematics Foundations 3-4
AR 1045 Art Foundations 2D: Composition and Content 4
AR 1065 Art Foundations 3D: Design and Meaning 4
AR 1075 Art Foundations Drawing: Line and Language 4
AH 1150 Art History Foundations: Prehistory to 1400 (GACO) 4
AE 2550 Foundations of Art Education 4
 Credits31-32
Year Two
AE 2660 Planning and Pedagogy for a Diverse World (DICO) 4
AG 2100 Design Software Basics (TECO) 4
Choose at least two: Ceramics/Sculpture/Print/Paint/QRCO 8-16
ED 2400 Child and Youth Development in Context (WECO) 4
AH 1160 Art History Foundations: 1400-1940 4
 Credits24-32
Year Three
AE 3550 Methods and Materials 4
AE 3770 Curriculum and Assessment 4
AH 3000 Contemporary Art Since 1940 (GACO,WRCO) 4
Directions (choose from PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 16
ED 2800
Inclusive Education and Technology (TECO)
or Introduction to Special Education: Middle and Secondary
4
 Credits32
Year Four
INCPIntegrated Capstone 3-4
AE 4990 Art Education Internship in Teaching: K-12 12
AE 4880 Seminar in Art Education 1
AR 3940 Advanced Multi-Disciplinary Studio 4
Electives 3-5
 Credits23-26
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16 because CDTI is waived for BFA Art & Design.