B.F.A. in Art
Dive deep into all aspects of art as you build a professional portfolio to showcase your own work.
There are two paths to study art at the University of Mississippi. Choose between a more flexible Bachelor of Arts degree or a more specialized, competitive-entry, pre-professional Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics, graphic/web design, imaging arts, painting, printmaking, or sculpture. All art majors complete foundational courses in 2-D and 3-D design, color theory, photo-imaging, and drawing, but the B.F.A. students take more advanced studio courses and art history.
Key Benefits
Art majors develop the fundamentals of design, learn how to promote their art, and become adept at new technologies within the field. In our region, only one other school has a comparable foundry facility. The senior B.F.A. students present an exhibition to showcase their achievement in developing a mature and cohesive body of creative work, which will be the core of their professional portfolio.
Graduate Outcomes
A liberal arts education empowers and prepares graduates to deal with complexity and change. They gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people. Related careers in art include professional fine artist, educator, graphic design, web design, animation, display/set/exhibit design, art appraisal, production pottery, public relations, architectural modeling, textile design, art therapy, arts administration, museum administration, marketing, and interior design.
Experiences Offered
The Department of Art and Art History provides outlets for student involvement outside of the classroom through various clubs. A vibrant Visiting Artist program brings approximately 10 visiting artists to campus annually for studio visits, artist talks, and demonstrations that provide students experiences working alongside a wide variety of artists.
B.F.A. in Art Faculty
Faculty in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Mississippi teach foundational courses, art history, and in the studio areas of ceramics, graphic/web design, imaging arts, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
Course Requirements
Foundation Core (15 hours)
- Art 101. 2-D Design
- Art 111. Drawing I
- Art 103. 3-D Design
- Art 201. Digital Imaging
- Art 211. Drawing II
Level I Studio (12 hours)
Select three courses from one concentration and one course from the other concentration.
Concentration I: FINE ART
- Art 321. Beginning Painting
- Art 331. Beginning Sculpture
- Art 340. Beginning Ceramics
- Art 371. Introduction to Printmaking
- Art 381. Beginning Imaging Arts
Concentration II: EXPANDED MEDIA ARTS
- Art 361. Graphic Design I, Typography
- Art 362. Graphic Design II, Production Design
- Art 371. Introduction to Printmaking
- Art 381. Beginning Imaging Arts
- Art 384. Digital Video
Level II Studio (9 hours)
Select three courses in desired concentration.
Concentration I: FINE ART
- Art 311. Figure Drawing I
- Art 322. Intermediate Painting
- Art 323. Plein Air Painting
- Art 332. Intermediate Sculpture
- Art 341. Pottery
- Art 342. Handbuilding
Concentration II: EXPANDED MEDIA ARTS
- Art 362. Graphic Design II, Production Design
- Art 364. Web Design I
- Art 366. Letterpress
- Art 372. Intermediate Printmaking
- Art 373. Book Arts
- Art 383. Intermediate Imaging Arts
- Art 385. Intro to Alternative Photographic Processes
Area of Emphasis (13 hours)
Select an area of emphasis within chosen concentration. Courses completed in Level I or II cannot double count toward an area of emphasis.
- Any Art at the 300 level or higher (9 hours)
- Art 405. Pre-thesis Forum (0 hr.)
- Art 491. Thesis Exhibit (3 hr.)
- Art 492. Senior Seminar (1 hr.) The following courses count toward each area of emphasis:
- Painting: Art 322, 323, 421, 521, 523
- Ceramics: Art 341, 342, 441, 442, 541, 542
- Sculpture: Art 332, 431, 531
- Graphic Design: Art 364, 366, 460, 461; IMC 349, 473, 524
- Printmaking & Imaging Arts: Art 366, 371, 372, 373, 381, 382, 383,
384, 385, 471, 483, 484, 485
Art Electives (12 hours)
Select any art course at the 300 level or higher (12 hours)
Art History (15 hours)
- AH 201. History of Art I
- AH 202. History of Art II
- AH 401. Research and Writing in Art
- Any AH at the 300 level or higher (6 hours). Students in the fine art concentration are encouraged to take AH 355 and 357. Students in the expanded media arts concentration are encouraged to select from AH 357, 374, or 376.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art program is by competitive portfolio review after completion of 18 hours of studio art courses.
Erin Napier
A transfer student from Jones County Junior College, Erin (B.F.A. in Art with graphic design emphasis, 2007) began a successful stationary business, Luxury Luxe. Her business was launched to success through social media and was later featured in many top magazines. Her creativity caught the eye of a HGTV producer and resulted in the hit show Home Town. On the program, Erin and her husband Ben, also a University of Mississippi graduate, help residents of Laurel, Mississippi find and renovate homes. "Small towns are restored by regular people who embrace their story. Every town has a story, and Mississippians are really good at telling stories. We are a storytelling people." A very engaged alumna, Erin visits art classes each spring as a guest speaker where she explains to students the difficult decision she made in the beginning of her career to let go of her reliable paycheck in order to pursue her creative ambitions.
Student Organizations
Join the Student Art Association, Mud Daubers, the Print Rebellion, Rebel Sculpture Society, Clicks, Painting Guild, American Institute for Graphic Arts, and Kappa Pi, an international art honor society.