Art, BA
To receive a degree from the College of Art, a student must meet the requirements below and take academic courses with other undergraduates. Work in art and design can be combined with studies in architecture, business, the humanities, the natural and social sciences, and the other arts. Students may take these courses for educational and intellectual enrichment or in direct correlation with their primary interests.
Students in the class of 2028 and beyond must fulfill the following degree requirements. For academic requirements for the class of 2027 and prior classes, please refer to our Prior Bulletins.
A total of 120 units are required for the BA degree, with the specified number of credits in each area detailed below.
Distribution Requirements (12 units)
Writing (3 units): Students must complete a College Writing course with a C- or better during the first year of study. Transfer students must fulfill the writing requirement by taking an approved course or by review of a writing portfolio. For more information, visit the College Writing Program website.
Humanities (3 units): Humanities courses examine the human condition as documented and expressed in both past and contemporary times. This area includes courses in Literature (both in English and other languages), Classics, History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies as well as some courses in creative arts such as Dance, Drama, Music, and Writing. Courses tagged HUM Humanities ArtSci IQ fulfill the humanities requirement.
Natural Sciences or Mathematics (3 units): These courses help the student understand the natural and physical world using objective and empirical observation and controlled experimentation. This area includes courses in Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Biology and Environmental Policy; Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences; Math; and Physics. Some courses from departments such as Anthropology and Psychological & Brain Sciences are also included. Courses tagged NSM Natural Sciences and Mathematics Art Sci IQ fulfill this requirement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units): These courses use qualitative and quantitative observation to explore the social environment, relationships with society, and forms of human behavior. This area includes courses in Anthropology, Economics, Education, International and Area Studies, Political Science, and Psychological & Brain Sciences, as well as courses from other areas, including interdisciplinary studies. Courses tagged SSC Social and Behavioral Sciences ArtSci IQ fulfill the social and behavioral sciences requirement.
Art History and Visual Culture (6 units)
These courses provide context for art and design studies by examining the cultural and historical impact of artworks and artifacts. The BA degree requires two 3-credit courses in the subject area Art History and Archaeology (ARTARCH) at the 2000 level or above (with the exception of ARTARCH 1515) or tagged FA Visual Culture.
Foundations (9 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DESIGN 1210 | Digital Studio | 3 |
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
ART 1050 | Drawing I | |
ART 1110 | 2-D Design | |
ART 1120 | 3-D Design | |
| Total | 9 | |
Sam Fox Electives (12 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in ART, DESIGN, FASHION, ARCH, LANDARCH, or URBDES | 12 | |
Open Electives (63 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the following Schools: Sam Fox, Arts & Sciences, Business, or Engineering* | 63 | |
- *
A maximum of 15 non-Washington University units (including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and transfer credit) is permitted. No more than 9 units may be applied to physical education, lessons, independent study, and internships. No units from the School of Continuing & Professional Studies will be accepted.
Major Requirements (18 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Intro Art Studios | Select two from different Major Studio areas* | 6 |
| Junior/Senior Art Practice Studios | Select two from any Major Studio area(s)* | 6 |
| ART 3110 | Methods & Contexts I (must be taken in the fall with concurrent enrollment in at least one Art Practice studio) | 3 |
| ART 3050 | Advanced Art Seminar | 3 |
| Total Units | 18 | |
- *
All Intro Art and Art Practice studios have two identifying course tags:
- Either FA Intro Art Studio or FA Art Practice Studio
- FA Major Studio tag in one of the following areas: Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Time-Based