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Visual Arts (B.F.A.) Application Process

This degree program requires an application process through the Department of Visual Arts. Students pursuing a visual arts minor are excluded from the B.F.A. applications.

Before You Apply

You are required to pass Foundations Portfolio Review and to have completed or be enrolled in the required courses listed below.

Students may pass Foundations Portfolio Review and apply to the B.F.A. in the same semester.

  • ART 1010 
  • ART 1020 
  • ART 1030 
  • ART 2510 
  • ART 2520 
  • ART 2xxx elective

Tips & Recommendations

  • Complete Area F as early as possible.
  • Take your Area F 2xxx elective course in your intended area of focus.
  • Avoid enrolling in elective courses outside the Department of Visual Arts or in any minor.
  • Review the to explore the courses you will need
  • You will not need a Modern Language course beyond the 1000/2000-level Modern Language course required in Area B.

Prepare your e-Portfolio Content for Application Submission

Select Works for your e-Portfolio

It is the student's responsibility to ensure they have access to Digication before the due dates - for missing portfolios or accounts, the students are recommended to contact their instructor/advisor. 1-2 artworks from each area F studio course:

  • ART 1010
  • ART 1020
  • ART 1030
  • ART 2XXX Elective: A minimum of three works demonstrating skill in the intended studio focus area from the introductory level (2XXX or 3XXX)

Each image should include a caption with:

  • Descriptive title – e.g. “Self-Portrait exercise”
  • Materials used – e.g. “Conté crayon on paper”
  • Dimensions in inches – e.g. “H x W for two dimensional works”, “H x W x D for three-dimensional works”
  • What semester the work was created – e.g. “Spring 2021”
  • Class for which the work was created – e.g. “ART 1010 Drawing I”

Written Essay 

Write an essay of up to 1000 words indicating your artistic and creative intentions as a student pursuing the B.F.A. degree. The essay should include:

  • An introductory paragraph outlining basic information including your name, number of earned credit hours, and intended area of focus.
  • The essay should outline why the specific area of studio focus has been chosen, describing the influences established in foundation courses, instructors, personal interests, other artists, and outside influences.
  • The essay should include a statement of how the area of studio focus enables you to communicate your ideas effectively. How does working within this studio focus enable you to establish a studio practice and impact your community creatively and artistically?
  • The essay should expand on one of the pieces submitted from the B.F.A. studio focus course and discuss (using proper terminology) the piece and its strength regarding formal elements and composition.

Registration and Submission

  1. Self-enroll to the DoVA B.F.A. Application Assessment group in Digication
    • Enroll by logging into with your ǧÃŬAV credentials. Click on the “Course” icon to the left of the page, then “Join a Course, Assessment Group, or Community.” Alternatively, you can type “DoVA B.F.A. Application” in the search box. Click on the group and the “Enroll” button.
  2. Submit your B.F.A. Application e-Portfolio
    • Submit your e-Portfolio by logging into . Enter the “DoVA B.F.A. Application Review” assessment group.
    • Next, go to the “Assignments” tab, click on your name, select “Step 1: E-Portfolio Submission,” and then follow the instructions to submit your e-Portfolio.
  3. Fill out the

This three-step process is essential. Students who do not publish their portfolios, and/or have neither self-enrolled nor signed up on time will be asked to resubmit their application the following semester. Refer to the Admittance Status for more information.

Submission Deadlines

  • Fall semester – October 31 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Spring semester – March 31 at 11:59 p.m.

B.F.A Rubric (PDF) Digication

Admittance Status

You will be notified of your admittance status via email from the Department of Visual Arts.

If you are not admitted the first time, you will receive detailed feedback with suggestions for improvement and be asked to submit a revised portfolio the following semester. Additional or different artwork will be required in the second submission.

If you are not admitted the second time, you will be asked to continue in your B.A. or B.S. program in the Department of Visual Arts.

Questions?

For any questions or concerns, please contact Interim Department head, Professor Jennifer Graff,