Art

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Art
(907) 474-7530

Degrees: B.A., B.F.A., M.F.A.

Minimum Requirements for Degrees: B.A.: 130 credits; B.F.A. 130 credits; M.F.A.: 60 credits

The art program recognizes the responsibility of the fine arts within the humanities. Courses in art further encourage independent, original and creative thinking. The B.F.A. degree is professionally oriented and designed to prepare students for careers in art. This degree is also the usual prerequisite for graduate studies in art.

Admission to the B.F.A. program requires a portfolio review by the art faculty. This review is generally done in the junior year. Enrollment in the B.F.A. program is recommended only for those students willing to make the considerable commitment of time and energy necessary to strive for professional competence in their major areas.

Career opportunities for the B.F.A. degree include artist, designer, arts administrator, art teacher, gallery and museum administrator, and related fields.

The M.F.A. degree provides artists with the necessary background to compete in state, national and international vacancies. Career opportunities include placement in state and federal arts organizations, galleries, museums, colleges and universities. This degree includes contemporary art world issues, the historic role of the artist, and northern art. The M.F.A. degree in visual art is a terminal degree. Study is two-thirds in studio art. The degree culminates in a solo gallery exhibition.

Undergraduate Program

Major

Art -- B.A. Degree

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the B.A. degree requirements.
3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
   
   1. Complete the following:
      ART 105 -- Beginning Drawing (3 credits)
      ART 205 -- Intermediate Drawing (3 credits)
      ART 211 -- Beginning Sculpture (3 credits)
      ART 213 -- Beginning Painting (Acrylic or Oil) (3 credits)
      ART 261 and 262 -- History of World Art (6 credits)
   2. Complete 2 of the following:
      ART 161 -- Two-Dimensional Design (3 credits)
      ART 162 -- Color and Design (3 credits)
      ART 163 -- Three-Dimensional Design (3 credits)
   3. Complete 1 of the following electives:
      ART 201 -- Beginning Ceramics (3 credits)
      ART 207 -- Beginning Printmaking (3 credits)
      ART 209 -- Beginning Metalsmithing and Jewelry (3 credits)
      ART 268 -- Beginning Native Art Studio (3 credits)
      ART 371O -- Digital Photography and Pixel Painting (3 credits)
   4. Complete 3 upper division courses from 1 of these major concentrations:
      Ceramics (9 credits)
      Computer Art (9 credits)
      Drawing (9 credits)
      Metalsmithing (9 credits)
      Native Studio Art (9 credits)
      Painting (9 credits)
      Printmaking (9 credits)
      Sculpture (9 credits)
   5. Upper division art history (3 credits)
4. Minimum art credits required for major (39 credits)
5. Minimum credits required (130 credits)

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.

Note: Transfer students who are candidates for the B.A. degree or a B.F.A. in Art must complete a minimum of 18 hours of credits in art courses while in residence.

Art -- B.F.A. Degree**

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the B.F.A. degree requirements.
3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
   
   1. Complete the following:
      ART 105 -- Beginning Drawing (3 credits)
      ART 205 -- Intermediate Drawing (3 credits)
      ART 211 -- Beginning Sculpture (3 credits)
      ART 213 -- Beginning Painting (Acrylic or Oil) (3 credits)
      ART 261 and 262 -- History of World Art (6 credits)
   2. Complete 2 of the following:
      ART 161 -- Two-Dimensional Design (3 credits)
      ART 162 -- Color and Design (3 credits)
      ART 163 -- Three-Dimensional Design (3 credits)
   3. Complete 1 of the following: (3 credits)
      ART 201 -- Beginning Ceramics (3 credits)
      ART 207 -- Beginning Printmaking (3 credits)
      ART 209 -- Beginning Metalsmithing and Jewelry (3 credits)
      ART 268 -- Beginning Native Art Studio (3 credits)
      ART 371O -- Digital Photography and Pixel Painting (3 credits)
   4. Complete the following:
      Upper division art history*** (9 credits)
      Major program approved by B.F.A. thesis committee**** (30 credits)
      Upper division art electives (6 credits)
      Thesis project (3 credits)
4. Minimum credits required (130 credits)

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.

** A non-art minor is not required for this degree.

*** Any upper-division art history class (ART 363, 364, 365, 366, 367), ANTH/ART 402, HUM 332 or HUM 469W may apply toward this requirement.

**** Major program must include at least 2, and no more than 3, studio areas. Minimum requirement for the first area is 15 upper division credits. Minimum requirement for the second area is 9 upper division credits.

Note: Transfer students who are candidates for the B.A. degree or a B.F.A. in Art must complete a minimum of 18 hours of credits in art courses while in residence.

Note: All studio areas in the department are eligible for fulfillment of specialization requirements: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, metalsmithing, Native art and computer art.

Minor*

1. Complete courses in at least 3 subject areas in art (15 credits)
2. Minimum credits required (15 credits)

*A minor in Art for the B.A. or B.S. degree is available only to non-art majors.

Graduate Program

Art -- M.F.A. Degree

Concentrations: Ceramics, Computer Art, Drawing, Native Arts, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

1. Complete the following admission requirements:
   
   1. Submit a separate portfolio work (about 20 slides or the appropriate equivalent depending on field of study).
   2. Complete a B.F.A degree from a university other than UAF, or complete one consecutive year of classes from an accredited M.F.A. program other than UAF. In cases where an exceptional portfolio is submitted, students with a B.A. in art, or other undergraduate degree, will be accepted provisionally and with the condition that they make up any deficiencies as determined by their graduate committee. The same requirements are observed with the determination of previous schooling from a university other than UAF.
2. Complete the master's degree requirements.
3. Complete a thesis.
4. Complete the following :
   ART 661 -- Mentored Teaching in Art (1 credit)
   ART 663 -- Seminar in Art History (3 credits)
   ART 690 -- Current Problems (3 credits)
   ART 692 -- MFA Seminar* (3 credits)
   ART 699 -- MFA Thesis Project** (5 credits)
   Electives in art history, humanities or philosophy*** (6 credits)
5. Complete at least 2 studio areas at the 600-level**** (39 credits)
6. Minimum credits required (60 credits)

* Written defense gallery practices.

** Studio with 2 hours oral comprehensive examination

*** The 400-level classes in these areas can be taken with additional requirements. Courses may be chosen from the following: ART 624, 625 and 673.

**** Courses may be chosen from the following: ART 601, 607, 611, 613, 619, 672 and 684.

Note: Graduate students are required to be enrolled in a mentored teaching section while teaching.

Art Program for Teachers

Students who are preparing to teach art must complete the requirements for an education minor as required by the Department of Education.