| BFA Degree Requirements
|
| Sample First-Year Schedule
|
| Independent Study
|
| Internships |
| International Study
|
| Joint Degrees |
| Minors |
| |
| |
| BFA
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS |
| Beyond studio and academic requirements,
a block of 30 to 33 credits of unrestricted electives allows students to
take additional studio courses, to explore new academic disciplines, to
pursue a joint degree, or to complete a minor in another area. The curriculum
also allows for a semester of international study without impeding progress
toward graduation. A description of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree requirements
follows. |
| |
| SUMMARY REQUIREMENTS
|
|
Art Core
|
18 credits |
|
Required Art & Design academic courses
|
3 credits (art) or 6 credits (design) |
|
Required Art & Design advanced studio courses
|
36 credits |
|
History of Art
|
12 credits |
|
Academic courses outside of Art & Design
|
26 credits |
|
Unrestricted Electives
|
33 credits (art) or 30 credits (design) |
| TOTAL
|
128 credits |
| |
| THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS
ALSO APPLY: |
|
At least 64 of the 128 credits must be earned in residence
|
|
The final 15 credits of advanced studio courses must be completed
in residence
|
|
At least 12 credits in the concentration area must be completed
in residence
|
|
9 transfer credits maximum may be included in the 36 required
advanced studio credits
|
| |
| Art Core |
18 credits |
| Introductory Area Courses (Choose four
including at least one 3-D course*) |
|
101
Ceramics: Introduction* |
|
111
Painting I |
|
127
Computing: Introduction |
|
131
Graphic Design I |
|
141
Industrial Design: Introduction* |
|
151
Metals: Introduction* |
|
161
Photography: Introduction |
|
171
Printmaking: Introduction |
|
191
Sculpture I* |
| Introductory Drawing Courses (Choose two)
|
|
115
Basic Drawing I |
|
116
Basic Drawing II |
|
145
Design Drawing |
|
181
Scientific Illustration: Introduction |
| |
| Required Art & Design Academic
Courses |
3 or 6 credits |
|
110
Origins and Issues in Art (Required for all students) |
|
305
Origins of Contemporary Design (Required for design students)
|
| |
| Required Art & Design Advanced
Studio Courses |
36 credits |
|
One 200-level and above computing
course |
|
Two 200-level and above drawing
courses |
|
Four 200-level and above studio
courses in one concentration area |
|
Five 200-level and above studio
courses in any media area |
| |
| History of Art courses or courses
cross-listed with History of Art |
12 credits |
| |
| Academic Courses Outside the School
of Art & Design |
26 credits |
|
One English Composition course
|
|
Two English courses at the 200-level
or above |
|
Non-studio courses outside the
School of Art & Design |
| |
| Unrestricted Electives
|
33 credits (art) or 30 credits (design) |
| |
| TOTAL
|
128 credits |
| |
| Back
to top |
| |
| SAMPLE
FIRST-YEAR SCHEDULE |
| It is typical for students to complete
the Art Core four introductory area courses and two drawing courses in the
first year. One of the introductory courses should be in the student's area
of concentration, though it is possible to complete a concentration if the
first course is taken in the sophomore year. Origins and Issues in Art is
a first-semester academic-course requirement; it is offered only in the
fall term. English composition should be completed in the first term, at
least the first year. Below is a typical schedule of courses for the first
year. There is a copy of a BFA Plan of Study Worksheet for the four-year
program in Appendix Q. |
| |
| FALL |
WINTER |
| Introductory Area Course (1xx) |
3 credits |
Introductory Area Course (1xx) |
3 credits |
| Introductory Area Course (1xx) |
3 credits |
Introductory Area Course (1xx) |
3 credits |
| Drawing (1xx) |
3 credits |
Drawing (1xx) |
3 credits |
| Origins & Issues in Art (110) |
3 credits |
Elective |
3-4 credits |
| English Composition |
4 credits |
Elective |
3-4 credits |
| Total credits |
16 credits |
Total credits |
16-17 credits |
|
| |
BFA Plan of
Study Worksheet [PDF]
To download Adobe
Acrobat , click
here. |
| |
| Back
to top |
| |
| INDEPENDENT
STUDY |
| Faculty-sponsored Independent Study projects
provide opportunities for advanced studio work beyond the content of regularly
scheduled courses. The following guidelines apply: |
| |
|
Only juniors and seniors may undertake an independent study project.
|
|
Independent study projects should not take the place of regularly scheduled
courses.
|
|
A 3.0 cumulative grade point average is required.
|
|
Students may earn 1-4 credits for each independent study with a maximum
of 12 credits applied toward graduation requirements.
|
|
Students need to secure a faculty member's agreement to sponsor the
project as indicated by a signature on the Independent Study Proposal
Form. Forms are available in the information bins outside the Student
Services Office or you can apply online below.
|
|
The approved Independent Study Proposal Form must be returned to Brian
Banks in the Student Services Office for a registration override.
|
|
Brian Banks will send an email message to the student indicating that
he has issued an override and assigned a section number for registration.
|
|
Students register for Independent Study using ARTDES 300 for the catalog
number and the assigned number for the section.
|
| |
Independent
Study Application [PDF]
To download Adobe
Acrobat , click
here. |
| |
| Back
to top |
| |
| INTERNSHIPS
|
| Juniors and seniors in good academic standing
are eligible to receive credit for an internship. In many cases, students
network for their own internship opportunities; however, Brian
Banks in the Student Services Office compiles requests from organizations
for interns. He posts opportunities on bulletin boards and announces them
to all students via email. The following internship guidelines apply:
|
| |
|
Students may earn one credit for each 50 hours of internship experience
with a maximum of three credits applied toward graduation requirements.
|
|
No grade is assigned.
|
|
Though credit is granted after the internship has been completed, students
first need to secure a site supervisor's signature and then the Assistant
Dean's signature before undertaking an internship.
|
|
The student's and site supervisor's signatures on the Internship Proposal
Form indicate a contractual agreement. The Assistant Dean's signature
indicates approval for credit for the internship experience. Forms are
available in the information bins outside the Student Services Office
or you can apply online below.
|
|
Three documents are required for credit: the Internship Proposal Form
with the three signatures listed above, a written summary of the experience
by the student, and a site supervisor's performance evaluation.
|
|
Students return these three documents to Brian
Banks in the Student Services Office for a final evaluation by the
Assistant Dean before the School of Art & Design posts the Internship
to the student's record.
|
| |
Internships
Application [PDF]
To download Adobe
Acrobat , click
here. |
| |
Back to top |
| |
| INTERNATIONAL
STUDY |
| In this age of growing international awareness, every
student should strive to arrange and carry out a summer or semester of travel
and study in another country. Flexibility in the BFA curriculum allows for
a semester of international study without impeding progress toward graduation.
Though international study should be undertaken in the junior year, the
freshman year is not too soon to begin planning. There are many possibilities
available to Art & Design students, most of them through other American
universities. The Office of
International Programs (OIP) located in the Michigan Union, holds an
extensive resource library for students to begin their search. |
| |
| Edward West, Director
of International Programs, is currently leading an initiative in the School
of Art & Design to establish exchange relationships with institutions around
the world. Students who participate in a School of Art & Design exchange
pay U-M tuition, remain active as U-M students, and retain all their U-M
financial aid except for work study awards. Stay tuned for progress updates
on the international exchange scene! |
| |
| A student who studies abroad through another institution
establishes guest status with that institution, is on leave from the University
of Michigan, and has limited financial aid from U-M. Check with the Financial
Aid Office for information about how your individual financial aid will
be affected by your international study plans. |
| |
| There are student meetings scheduled each term to discuss
international study opportunities, policies, and procedures. Sophomores
are required to attend. Freshmen are encouraged to attend. Currently, students
pursuing international study through other universities should contact Ed
West (734.936.0686) to discuss their plans and must have their applications
for other programs signed by Mary Schmidt
(734.764.0397). |
| |
| Back
to top |
| |
| JOINT DEGREES
|
| Students who wish to pursue two degrees,
one from the School of Art & Design, and a second from another unit of the
University of Michigan/Ann Arbor campus, should read the Bulletins of both
units carefully and plan a program of study which meets the degree requirements
for both units. The following guidelines apply: |
| |
|
Before initiating the process of applying for a joint degree, the student
must be currently registered in the unit through which he or she plans
to earn the first degree. This unit is considered the "home school."
|
|
A minimum of 30 hours of credit must be completed on the Ann Arbor campus
before a student may apply for a joint degree program, and the cumulative
grade point average for work completed on the Ann Arbor campus must be
at least 3.0.
|
|
The second academic unit may require additional evidence of ability
such as an audition, a formal admission process, or completion of specific
courses. The student should meet with a representative of the second unit
to determine the procedure for pursuing the second degree.
|
|
The student must then obtain written permission from both academic units.
An Application for Special Individualized Joint Degree Program Form must
be submitted to the School of Art & Design Assistant Dean for approval,
and then to the second academic unit for its approval. A copy of the form
is in Appendix K.
|
|
The student must earn a minimum of 150 credits.
|
|
Wolverine Access will allow the student to register separately for courses
in each academic unit, and students should make sure they register in
both units. If they register through only one unit they will not appear
on enrollment rosters for the second unit and may be left out of email
correspondences and other notifications addressed only to enrolled students.
|
|
All degree requirements for both academic units must be fulfilled. The
student must earn both degrees simultaneously. If any requirements for
either degree are lacking, neither degree will be awarded.
|
|
The student must submit a separate diploma application to each school
along with required documents.
|
|
Withdrawal from this program is possible at any time. Art & Design students
submit a formal letter of withdrawal to the Assistant Dean.
|
| |
Joint Degree Application
Form [PDF]
To download Adobe Acrobat , click
here. |
| |
| Back
to top |
| |
| MINORS
|
| Minors are a relatively new phenomenon at
the University. The College
of Literature, Science and the Arts (LS&A) has taken the lead with offering
minors, as well as with developing policies and procedures for pursuing
minors. In most cases, a minor requires the completion of 16-18 credits
(5-6 courses). Each minor has its own structure with pre-requisites, requirements
and elective choices. Please refer to the LS&A web site for policies and
administration for LS&A minors and for minors available in liberal arts.
|
| |
Policies
and Administration for LS&A Minors [PDF]
To download Adobe Acrobat , click
here. |
| |
| Back
to top |