“The department community is something special. They challenged and encouraged me everyday.”
Rosa Salas (B.F.A. in Art, emphasis in Ceramics '20)
Museum Educator, UM Museum
About this Program
The Department of Art and Art History in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.F.A. in Art. Students who major in art are creative thinkers who visualize the world around them to create contemporary and conceptual works of art.
B.A. vs B.F.A.
- The Bachelor of Art in Art has a deeper and wider general education foundation than the B.F.A. degree. The B.A. degree provides flexibility for combining the study of art with a required minor field of study or double major. B.A. students can use their art electives to focus on the studio area of their choice.
- Students can choose to enter the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art program during the regular UM admissions process. After completing the foundation art core, having a minimum GPA, and successful B.F.A. Foundations Review, B.F.A. students gain wider training across the studio areas, more depth in their chosen emphasis area, build a professional portfolio, and hold a final thesis show.
Students in the B.F.A. in Art program select a concentration and emphasis.
Fine Arts Concentration
- Ceramics Emphasis
- Painting Emphasis
- Sculpture Emphasis
Expanded Media Arts Concentration
- Graphic Design Emphasis
- Printmaking and Imaging Arts Emphasis
The Value of an Art Degree
Art majors develop the fundamentals of design, learn how to promote their art, and become adept at new technologies within their field. They can analyze visual materials, communicate conceptual ideas, and problem solve in creative ways–all skills that are highly desired by employers.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Major
Area of Study
Arts
School
Duration
4 Years
Degree
B.F.A. in Art
Program Location
Emphases
Graphic Design;
Ceramics;
Painting;
Printmaking and Imaging Arts;
Sculpture
Required Credit Hours
129
Degree Requirements
Students in the B.F.A. in Art program complete 76 credit hours, including 22 art courses and 5 art history courses.
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
- Art 205: BFA Foundations Portfolio Review
Level 1 Studio (12 hours)
Select 3 courses from chosen concentration and one course from the other concentration
Fine Art Concentration
- Art 321: Beginning Painting
- Art 331: Beginning Sculpture
- Art 340: Beginning Ceramics
- Art 371: Introduction to Printmaking
- Art 381: Beginning Imaging Arts
Expanded Media Arts Concentration
- 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 2 Studio (9 hours)
Select 3 courses in chosen concentration.
Fine Art Concentration- Art 311: Figure Drawing I
- Art 322: Intermediate Painting
- Art 323: Plein Air Painting
- Art 332: Intermediate Sculpture
- Art 341: Pottery
- Art 342: Handbuilding
Expanded Media Arts Concentration
- 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 towards 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. See all art course choices in the online catalog.
Art History Courses (15 hours)
- AH 201: History of Art I
- AH 202: History of Art II
- AH 401: Research and Writing in Art
- 2 Art History courses at the 300 level or higher.
The minor in art consists of 18 credit hours of studio art courses.
- Art 101: Two-Dimensional Design
- Art 103: Three-Dimensional Design
- Art 111: Drawing I
- 9 credit hours of studio art courses with 6 credit hours at 300-level or higher
Connect with an Art Major
Haley Chiles
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
See Haley’s AnswerWhat do the students say about the study of Art?
What can you do with an art degree?
- Designer/Host, HGTV's Home Town
- Creative Consultant, Estee Lauder
- Graphic Designer, Walt Disney World
- Art Director, Marriott International
- Executive Art Director, Simon & Schuster
- Marketing Specialist, Turner Broadcasting
- Director of Philanthropy, Heifer International
- Professor of Ceramics, University of Utah
- Webmaster, Oxford School District
- Scenic Artist, Denver Center Theatre
- Technical Artist, Los Alamos National Labs
- Game Developer, Mind Level Up
- Creative Director, CNN
- Appraisal Services, Antiques Roadshow
- Collections Assistant, Burke Museum
- Staff, Chicago Art Institute
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
Annabelle Harris
Admissions Counselor
Future CLA Students
College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?