Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Program
About the B.F.A. Program
Overview of Requirements
Sequence of Study
Program Options
External Transfer
Internal Transfer
About the B.F.A. Program
The School of Art+Design offers a four-year curriculum in each of the following majors, culminating in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree:
Graphic Design
Painting/Drawing
Photography
Printmaking/Art of the Book
Sculpture/3-D Media
Visual Arts: Interdisciplinary
For a related interdisciplinary B.A. major, go to New Media.
Each student works closely with a faculty advisor to establish a program of study that allows the student to develop particular areas of interest and to prepare for the larger world of art and design. In the art school setting, the student investigates introductory courses in different visual arts disciplines and, during the four-year program, specializes in a major area of study. Students who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study in which several media are investigated should refer to the visual arts interdisciplinary major and consult with their advisors or the heads of the boards of study during their freshman year to determine requirements.
Visiting Artists and Critics
The B.F.A. program is frequently enriched by visiting artist lectures and critiques. Past visiting artists and critics include: Vito Acconci, Polly Apfelbaum, John Baldessari, Mike Bidlo, Benjamin Buchloh, Willie Cole, John Coplans, Arthur Danto, Jim Dine, Rackstraw Downes, Elliott Earls, Ed Fella, Eric Fischl, Coco Fusco, Thelma Golden, Leon Golub, Alfredo Jaar, Yvonne Jacquette, Joan Jonas, Jon Kessler, Alison Knowles, Komar and Melamid, Les Levine, Donald Lipski, Ellen Lupton, T. Abbott Miller, Judy Pfaff, Peter Plagens, Tim Rollins, Dana Shutz, and Wolfgang Weingart.
Overview of B.F.A. Requirements
To grant the B.F.A. degree, the School of Art+Design requires that students complete a minimum of 128 credits:
- 88 credits in visual arts studio courses
- 12 credits of art history, and
- 28 additional liberal arts credits
In order to graduate, B.F.A. students must also complete all general degree requirements as well as the requirements for their major. The academic requirements for each B.F.A. major are listed in the program area.
Freshman Year
In their first year, students are required to complete a foundation program that includes drawing, design, 3-D and digital media, art history, and theory, along with two required general education courses: L: LWR 1110/College Writing (Fall) and FRS 1001/Culture and Society in the West II (Spring).
Sophomore and Junior Years
Study in the major begins in the first semester of the sophomore year. Students should refer to both the general requirements for the B.F.A. degree and their major requirements, and consult with their advisors for assistance in following their courses of study during the sophomore and junior years. In the second semester of their junior year and in consultation with their faculty advisor, students must submit an application for graduation to the registrar.
Senior Year
All senior-year studies must be completed in residence at Purchase. During the senior year, all students must complete an 8-credit senior project, as well as other remaining requirements. In the senior project—an intensive, independent study undertaken with faculty sponsorship—students pursue a particular theme or topic as a culmination of their undergraduate experience. A written thesis and visual documentation of the project must be submitted to both the Art+Design Office and the Library before graduation.
B.F.A. Program Options
Study Abroad
Summer Studies
Art History Minor and Concentration
Study Abroad
Students can choose to spend a semester abroad in any of the numerous international programs offered through the State University of New York. In addition, the School of Art+Design sponsors student exchanges with the Amsterdam School of the Arts in the Netherlands, the Royal Academy of Art in London, the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland, and the Universidad Iberro in Mexico City. Students who wish to participate in any of these international programs should speak with their faculty advisor or the assistant dean of Art+Design regarding eligibility. (For additional information, visit Study Abroad.)
Summer Studies
Art+Design students have a variety of opportunities to continue their studies in the summer:
- The College’s study abroad programs offer opportunities for interdisciplinary study.
- In the summer sessions at Purchase College, which are administered by the School of Liberal Studies & Continuing Education, a range of undergraduate credit courses are available, including many that satisfy general education requirements.
- Numerous summer programs in the visual arts, offered by institutions across the country, may provide a particular process, media, or topic of interest.
- It is possible to arrange an independent study with a member of the Purchase College faculty.
- It is also common for students to arrange for a professional internship as part of their summer activity.
Students should consult with their faculty advisors to discuss the particular options available.
Art History Minor and Concentration
In addition to the general art history requirements, B.F.A. students in the School of Art+Design have two options for further study in art history: a minor and a concentration. These options are grounded in the idea that there is a clear interrelationship between art history/critical studies and studio practice in the visual arts.
External Transfer
Students receive a credit evaluation of their liberal arts credits at the time of admission to Purchase College. Students who transfer to the School of Art+Design from other colleges or universities must study in residence for a minimum of four semesters (two years). Undergraduate students transferring to a program in the School of Art+Design may transfer credits a maximum of 60 credits:
- up to 24 studio art credits
- 8 art history credits, and
- an additional 28 liberal art credits
Please note that art credits from other schools are not automatically transferable. Visual arts studio credit is awarded only:
- for those arts courses that can be considered applicable to the visual arts program in which the student has earned a grade of C or higher; and
- upon recommendation of the Art+Design faculty, based on the quality of work presented in the student’s portfolio.
Internal Transfer
Students who wish to transfer from other degree programs at Purchase College to the School of Art+Design must submit to the Art+Design Office:
- an essay of intention
- 15 examples of their best work (35mm slides in a slide sheet or JPEGS burned to a CD) - TWO examples must be observational drawing
- a student copy of their transcript, which may be printed by the student through the online system
- a completed application form, available from the bins in front of the Art+Design Office (2nd floor of the Visual Arts Building)
Check with the Art+Design Office for applicable deadlines. After these materials have been reviewed by the Admissions Committee and a decision has been reached, students will be informed of their acceptance or denial via campus e-mail and/or telephone.
Updated Mar. 6, 2008