Studio Art, BFA

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Studio Art is the professional degree in the arts and is designed for individuals who want to be professional visual artists or designers, enter a specific art field or to continue their education at the graduate level. It provides extensive training in a variety of studio areas and allows for specialization within the field. After completing a series of foundation courses, students are able to focus their coursework in one of seven media areas: ceramics, digital media (graphic design/digital arts/animation), drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture.

Admission into the Major

Students may choose the BFA as a major during the regular UA admissions process. However, full admission to the BFA program is only granted after applying to be admitted to the program through the BFA review process. Students expecting to complete the requirements for the BFA in studio art in four years should begin program coursework as first-semester freshmen and apply to the BFA review no sooner than the completion of 18 semester hours of studio art courses, preferably during the second term of the sophomore year. If the student does not gain admission into the program after the first attempt, a second BFA review can be conducted before the completion of 30 studio hours. If the student is not accepted into the BFA program after the second BFA review, he or she is not eligible to apply for or to pursue the BFA degree, and it is recommended that they change to the BA in Studio Art. The student is responsible for keeping track of hours completed and applying at the appropriate time. Additional details of the BFA review process are available on the departmental website. 

Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students can declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.

Special Opportunities

The Department of Art and Art History operates the Sella-Granata Art Gallery that primarily features changing exhibitions of student work. Crimson Clay is a departmental student organization providing opportunities to present ceramics projects in the community and across the state. Declared majors in art and art history are able to compete for numerous merit-based departmental scholarships, which are awarded annually to returning students. Members of the faculty actively assist students with internship and project placement in design agencies, exhibition venues, public community projects, area museums, and the Alabama Art History Association. The department also maintains cooperative agreements with local art galleries and spaces which allow student exhibition possibilities. 

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Studio Art is the professional degree in the arts and is designed for individuals who want to be professional visual artists or designers, enter a specific art field, or to continue their education at the graduate level.

Types of Jobs Accepted

Jobs include professional artist, designer, artist assistant, animator, art director, curator, gallery director, arts administrator or graphic designer

Jobs of Experienced Alumni

Professional artist, graphic designer, art director, university faculty, studio photographer, videographer, gallery director, museum curator, K-12 art educator, art conservator, gallery artist, arts administrator

The Nick Saban sculpture at Bryant Denny Stadium was created by a student in UA’s Department of Art and Art History undergraduate program.

Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center

• Copy of your passport
• Relevant visa and immigration documents (This includes PR card, current visa, or F-1/ J-1 visa request and supporting documents)
• Unofficial transcript copies from every secondary school you have attended. This includes academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work.
  • Include an English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
  • Students graduating high school in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, The Gambia or Sierra Leone must submit a copy of their WASSCE results and scratch card information (serial number and PIN) in order to complete their application.
• Students that graduated 6 or more months ago should also provide a brief statement listing any academic activities since graduation (including any post-secondary coursework at institutions inside or outside of the US, English language programs, study abroad programs, etc.) List name(s) of the institutions and dates of attendance. If you have no additional academic activities, please write a short statement that speaks to your activities during the gap period. In the statement, please include the following and send to International Admissions at [email protected]:
  • Full Name
  • Address
  • High School/Secondary School
  • Graduation Date