Areas of Study

Areas of Study

The Department of Art and Art History offers three degree programs: the BA in Art History, the BA in Studio Art, and the BFA in Studio Art. Studio disciplines include: Ceramics, Fabric Design, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Minors are available in both art history and studio art. 

Art History: BA

Baylor’s Art History program is focused on training students towards a sophisticated level of visual literacy and critical thought for today’s highly visual world. Emphases are placed on understanding the artistic technique, the historical and cultural frameworks of their creation and reception, and the ability to analyze works in their historical, cultural, social, and political contexts.

Studio Art: BFA or BA?

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is the professional degree in the visual arts. This option is for students who wish to gain as much experience and skill in studio/fine art as possible and to gain expertise in a specific concentration area. If a student wishes to pursue a graduate degree in studio art (MFA), the BFA is the undergraduate degree typically expected by graduate schools. The BFA in Graphic Design is the standard degree for those who wish to become professional designers.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is less focused, but still contains essential studio art courses. This option is for students with a strong interest in studio art and a desire to study several mediums.

Capstone Requirements

Capstone components are designed to represent a culminating undergraduate experience and provide valuable information for program assessment through student achievement. Two capstone requirements are expected of all art majors:

Exam Component

• discipline-specific exit exam (BFA/Studio majors);
• core curriculum exam (BA/Studio & BA/Art History majors)

Research Component

1. senior exhibition (BFA/Studio majors);
2. senior exhibition & portfolio (BFA/Graphic Design majors);
3. senior portfolio (BA/Studio majors);
4. 12-15 page senior research paper (BA/Art History majors)

Degrees & Requirements

Studio Art BFA

The BFA in Studio Art provides a strong foundation in the creative, technical and historical aspects of the visual arts.

• 66 Hours in Studio Art
• 15 Hours in Art History
• 50-51 Hours in Liberal Arts

Art History BA

The art history program at Baylor offers undergraduates a specialization in art history as well as an academic minor in the field. There are also graduate level courses for those students working on a masters' degrees in other areas.

Requirements for a Major in Art History: 36 semester hours including the following:

18 semester hours of required courses:

• ART 1310, Drawing I
• ART 1314, 2D Design 
• ART 1316, 3D Design 
• ART 2302, Survey of Western Art I
• ART 2303, Survey of Western Art II

Nine semester hours of art history requirements:

• Three semester hours of "3000-4000" level art history from Greek to Roman.
• Three semester hours of "3000-4000" level art history from Renaissance to Baroque
• Three semester hours of "3000-4000" level art history from 1800 to Present.
• Twelve semester hours of additional "3000-4000" level art history electives.

Required course in other fields:

• ANT 1305, Intro to Anthropology

ART 4399 is recommended for those planning to pursue graduate studies.

Studio Art BA

A general liberal arts degree providing exposure to each of the seven studio areas offered by the Department of Art. This foundation degree is desirable for those wanting a general background in preparation for a more advanced degree.

• 30 hours in Studio Art
• 12 hours in Art History
• 33 hours of Electives
• 50-51 hours in Liberal Arts

Art History Minor

Requirements for a Minor in Art History, 18 semester hours:

Nine semester hours of required courses:

• ART 1314, 2D Design 
• ART 2302, Survey of Western Art I
• ART 2303, Survey of Western Art II

Nine semester hours of "3000" or "4000" level art history electives.

Studio Art Minor

Requirements for a Minor in Studio Art, 18 semester hours:

Nine semester hours of required courses:

• ART 1310, Drawing I
• ART 1314, 2D Design
• ART 2302, Survey of Western Art I or ART 2303, Survey of Western Art II

Nine semester hours of "3000" or "4000" level studio art electives. There is no guarantee for the Studio Art Minor of enrollment into specific, high-demand upper level studio art classes.

For More Information on the Core Curriculum

All degree plans are subject to change.
Always consult with a Department of Art and Art History faculty advisor for authenticity.