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Mar 17, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Art (Art, B.F.A.)
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Bachelor of Fine Arts
Department of Art and Design
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Visual Arts Building 117 ~ 260-481-6709 ~ Art and Design
Program Description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree with a major in Art is a focused studio and academic program for students interested in pursuing a professional career in the field of art. The B.F.A. Art provides intensive study to develop a specialization in one of eleven areas of concentration (Art Education, Ceramics, Drawing, Graphic Design, Imaging and Photography, Interior Design, Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Web Design). The curriculum combines foundational to advanced experiences in studio, critical theory, and art history to achieve a professional competency in a chosen area of concentration.
- Each student enters the program as a Bachelor of Arts Art. Any student that indicates Art Education or Interior Design as their area of interest, will be placed into the Pre- category by the Admissions Office (Pre-Art Education, Pre-Interior Design).
- Students wishing to pursue the Art (B.F.A.) may declare an intention to apply for the B.F.A. in the First-Year Portfolio Review.
- The Second-Year Portfolio serves as a formal application for acceptance into the Art B.F.A. (Art Education, Ceramics, Drawing Graphic Design, Imaging and Photography, Interior Design, Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture or Web Design). Full acceptance into the Art B.F.A. program is contingent upon a successful Second-Year Portfolio.
Upon completion of their degree, B.F.A. students will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
SLO1: Problem Solving - Utilize perceptual and conceptual skills to solve problems creatively in art and design.
SLO2: 2D/3D Principles - Implement 2D and 3D design principles to create compelling and effective works of art and design in a variety of traditional and digital media.
SLO3: Technical Understanding - Demonstrate an understanding and competency of technical skills in traditional and digital art and design media to effectively communicate and express ideas.
SLO4: Critical Understanding - Effectively analyze and critique works of art and design in verbal and written forms, using visual vocabulary and familiarity with the works and intentions of major artists/designers and movements of the past and present.
SLO5: Visual Literacy and Communication Skills - Demonstrate effective visual, verbal, and written communication skills and an aptitude to apply those skills.
SLO6: Ethics and Standards - Apply functional knowledge of basic art and design practical experiences and opportunities, as well as professional ethics and standards.
SLO7: Synthesis - Demonstrate professional entry-level competence in an area of concentration, including technical mastery, and the ability to produce advanced creative work for evaluation.
Accreditation:
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Purdue University Fort Wayne is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
- Department of Art and Design courses are offered on campus, with some distance and hybrid course offerings.
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College Scorecard
The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs. The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings. Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program. That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=5007&fos_credential=3 Program Requirements:
A student may elect the Pass/Not-Pass grading option for non-degree elective courses only. The Pass/Not-Pass grading option is not available for General Education or any electives required for the minor. Art (Art, B.F.A.) with a Concentration in Art Education 4-Year Plan Art (Art, B.F.A) with a Concentration in Ceramics, Drawing, Imaging and Photography, Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking or Sculpture 4-Year Plan Art (Art, B.F.A.) with Concentration in Graphic Design 4-Year Plan Art (Art, B.F.A.) with Concentration in Interior Design 4-Yr Plan Art (Art, B.F.A.) with Concentration Web Design 4-Year Plan General Education: Credits 30
Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better: - Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)
- Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)
- Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
- At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness
Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes. You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements . General Education Recommendations
Below is a list of courses that are recommended for you to complete as part of your General Education program. Art History: Credits 12
All Art B.F.A. students are required to take 12 credit hours of Art History courses, including AD 11100-History of Art I: Prehistoric to Medieval Cr. 3. (also fulfills General Education B7 requirement) Art Education Ceramics, Drawing, Graphic Design, Imaging and Photography, Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Web Design Students in the these concentrations are requried to take the following 6 credits of Art History with an additional 6 credits of Advanced Art History to fulfill the Art History requirement. Advanced Art History Electives: Credits 6 New courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy Advanced Art History electives. Interior Design Students in the Interior Design concentration are required to take the following 12 credits to fulfill the Art History requirement. Studio Core: Credits 15
All Art B.F.A. students are required to take the following 15 credit hours of Studio Core courses. Portfolio Review Requirement
The First-Year, Second-Year, and Third-Year Portfolio Review are mandatory evaluative reviews for all students in Art and Design. The portfolio reviews are to ensure students have met the competency level in the first-year and second-year foundations programs and third-year curriculum. Students are required to successful complete each portfolio for graduation. First-Year Portfolio Review Once a student is enrolled in or has completed five of six first-year studio foundation courses, they must submit a portfolio to be reviewed by the Department of Art and Design faculty. All artwork submitted for the First-Year Portfolio Review must have been created in a college-level course, preferably Purdue University Fort Wayne. For transfer students, work submitted in the portfolio must have been created at PFW or another college or university. Work from outside of the foundation-level courses will not be accepted for consideration; therefore, careful documentation and storage of one’s work is essential for success. Students will continue in the Second-Year foundation courses upon a satisfactory portfolio review. The Department of Art and Design will send out a portfolio template and detailed information regarding the portfolio review process and requirements. Students wishing to pursue an Art B.F.A. degree, may submit their intention to apply in the First-Year Portfolio and then formally apply for acceptance in the Second-Year Portfolio Review. Second-Year Portfolio Review Once a student is enrolled in or has completed five of six second-year foundation courses, they must submit a portfolio to be reviewed by the Department of Art and Design faculty. All artwork submitted for the Second-Year Portfolio Review must have been created in a college-level course, preferably Purdue University Fort Wayne. For transfer students, work submitted in the portfolio must have been created at PFW or another college or university. Work from outside of the studio foundation-level courses will not be accepted for consideration; therefore, careful documentation and storage of one’s work is essential for success. Students will continue in the third-year studio courses upon a satisfactory portfolio review. The Department of Art and Design will send out a portfolio template and detailed information regarding the portfolio review process and requirements. The Second-Year Portfolio Review also serves as a formal application for acceptance into the Art B.F.A. degree program. A student denied entry into the B.F.A. program will continue in the B.A. program. Denied students can apply one additional time for review into the B.F.A. program with permission from the department chair. Third-Year Portfolio Review In the junior year students will submit a third-Year Portfolio which must contain artwork completed at the advanced-level/area of concentration. The Department of Art and Design will send out a portfolio template and detailed information regarding the portfolio review process and requirements. Art Education: Credits 63
The concentration in Art Education prepares a graduate to teach elementary, middle school, or high school art. This area of study provides a solid foundation in art and design in preparation for the role of the artist educator. Students acquire a creative practice in a breadth of art and design disciplines offered in the Department of Art and Design, which include ceramics, drawing, graphic design, imaging and photography, metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and web design. The Art Education concentration allows student teachers to develop a philosophy for authentic artmaking conditions in their future position as professional art educators. The mission of the Art Education program promotes and cultivates the role of artist/teacher as the ideal educator of the arts. Ceramics: Credits 63
The concentration in Ceramics prepares graduates to enter the studio art, management, or educational field of ceramics with confidence. Graduates will develop the technical and conceptual skills needed for a career in the field. The curriculum offers multifaceted exploration of hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. Clay and glaze formulation is a major component of advanced courses and students learn how to load and fire electric, gas, soda, and wood kilns. Students transition from broad range of in-depth artistic fundamentals to a rigorous, self-directed advanced study, cultivating a unique creative voice. Students graduating from the program are also prepared for post-undergraduate studies, artist residencies, or a ceramic studio practice. Art (B.F.A) 4-year Plan (Ceramic concentration) Drawing: Credits 63
The concentration in Drawing prepares graduates to navigate the professional art world with confidence, whether through graduate school, post-baccalaureate studies, artist residencies, or a decicated studio practice. The curriculum offers multifaceted exploration of drawing as a medium for contemporary art. Students transition from a diverse foundational curriculum to a rigorous advanced study in drawing, cultivating a unique creative voice. Graphic Design: Credits 63
The Graphic Design concentration prepares graduates to enter the profession of graphic design and advertising. Students will develop the strong technical and conceptual skills needed for a professional career in the field. Research, conceptualization methods, design techniques, and graphic software knowledge are interwoven throughout the graphic design courses. Students are enlightened into the understanding of studying demographics to better design for a specific audience. Projects and classroom dynamics emulate real-world scenarios to ensure that students graduating from the program will be ready to enter a variety of areas in Graphic Design, ranging from print to digital, in both 2D and 3D design. Imaging and Photography: Credits 63
The concentration in Imaging and Photography prepares graduates to enter the commercial and fine art field of photography. Graduates will develop the technical and conceptual skills needed for a professional career in the field. Lighting techniques for both product and portrait photography are enhanced in our lighting studio. Students are encouraged to create images that are technically sound and creative. Practical discussions related to a successful career are discussed in classrooms, and students graduating from the program will be ready to enter a variety of different avenues of photography including, portrait and commercial photography, advertising and product photography, and journalism. Two courses in video are also incorporated in this concentration to educate students on the ever-changing field of imaging and photography. Interior Design: Credits 63
The concentration in Interior Design prepares graduates for the interior design profession, in commercial, healthcare, and residential design. The interior design curriculum provides a solid and diverse experience for students to develop fundamental technical and conceptual skills through the sequential course structure from freshmen to senior level. Along with the interior design studio courses, the program electives allow students to gain knowledge and experience in technical areas, such as building systems and construction. The program culminates in advanced studio work that integrates conceptual development, technical knowledge, and visual communication. Metalsmithing: Credits 63
The concentration in Metalsmithing prepares graduates to navigate the professional art world of jewelry design and production as well as industrial fabrication of cast metal objects. Students work with soft nonferrous metals (copper, brass, bronze, silver and pewter) to design and create refined, well-crafted metalwork to develop the technical and conceptual skills needed for a career in the field. The curriculum offers multifaceted exploration of metals as a medium for contemporary art. Students transition from a diverse foundational curriculum to a rigorous advanced study in metalsmithing, cultivating a unique creative voice. Students graduating from the program are also prepared for post-undergraduate studies, artist residencies, or a metalsmithing studio practice. Painting: Credits 63
The concentration in Painting prepares graduates to navigate the professional art world with confidence, whether through graduate school, post-baccalaureate studies, artist residencies, or a decicated studio practice. The curriculum offers multifaceted exploration of painting as a medium for contemporary art. Students transition from a diverse foundational curriculum to a rigorous advanced study in painting, cultivating a unique creative voice. Printmaking: Credits 63
The concentration in Printmaking prepares graduates to pursue careers as professional artists and to be accepted into graduate programs. Students will develop the technical and conceptual skills needed for a career in the field. The curriculum offers multifaceted exploration of the processes of relief, intaglio, monotype, and lithography. Students transition from broad range of in-depth artistic fundamentals to a rigorous, self-directed advanced study, cultivating a unique creative voice. Students graduating from the program are also prepared for post-undergraduate studies, artist residencies, or a printmaking studio practice. Sculpture: Credits 63
The concentration in Sculpture prepares graduates to enter the studio art, management, or educational field of sculpture with confidence. Graduates will develop the technical and conceptual skills needed for a career in the field. The curriculum offers multifaceted exploration of subtractive, additive and assemblage approaches to sculpture. Students transition from broad range of in-depth artistic fundamentals to a rigorous, self-directed advanced study, cultivating a unique creative voice. Students graduating from the program are also prepared for post-undergraduate studies, artist residencies, or a sculpture studio practice. Web Design: Credits 63
The concentration in Web Design prepares students to enter the profession of web design. The web design curriculum will provide students with a balance of creative design principles, technical skills, and real-world practice. Courses expose students to concepts such as ideation techniques, mapping, layout, color theory, accessibility, and user experience. Students are instructed on modern tools and workflows, including design software and responsive frameworks, while gaining an understanding of performance and web standards. Project-based learning, collaboration, and critiques are essential to help students build portfolios, solve authentic problems, and adapt to evolving industry trends, ensuring they graduate with both practical competence and creative confidence. Electives
Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120. The Department recommends Advanced-level studio courses to fulfill the credit requirements which will enhance your degree program. Minimum Grade Requirements
Students must have a minimum grade of C- or better on all AD classes for credit towards their degree. Classes below a C- grade may be retaken for a qualifying grade as needed. Credit By Self-Acquired Competency
Credit by Self-Acquired Competency is at the discretion of the department and evaluated on an individual basis. Repeat Limits
Advanced III and Advanced IV studio courses may be repeated up to a maximum of 9 credits each. No courses may be repeated in Graphic Design or Imaging and Photography concentrations. Self-Paced Courses:
Independent Study classes are sometimes available and at the discretion of both the course instructor and chair of the department. Total Credits: 120 minimum
Student Responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. Recommendations, Requirements, Transfers, and Policies
Recommendations Students should schedule classes within the B.A. program under the guidance of the official departmental academic advisor. Residence Requirements For a bachelor’s degree, registration in and completion of at least 33 credits of resident course credit at the Second-Year Studio Foundation level or above, including at least 15 credits at the Junior level or above, in courses applicable to the major. Transfer and Returning Student Credit All studio and art history courses transferred from another institution or former Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne art programs must be evaluated by appropriate faculty in the Department of Art and Design program before they may be applied to a student’s degree requirements. See Transfer and Returning Student Credit Review. Transfer and Returning Student Credit Review Courses in studio art that have been transferred to Purdue Fort Wayne from another institution or former Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne art programs are not counted as part of the Art and Design major unless they have been reviewed by the Art and Design faculty. For a review of transferred studio credit, the student should provide the viewer with a portfolio consisting of representative work in each area (e.g. painting, sculpture, etc.) for which the transfer credit is desired. The portfolio should include both studies and finished work and be as encompassing as possible. Academic Notice/Separation Policies If a student does not meet the university’s GPA standard, they will be notified that they have been placed on academic notice and will be asked to make progress towards meeting campus standards. Department of Art and Design programs have their own academic standards as stated above. If a student is not meeting these standards, they will be notified and placed on departmental academic notice. If a student does not make positive progress towards meeting the academic standards of the department within twelve (12) credit hours of study, they will be subject to academic separation from the Department of Art and Design program. |
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