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.
This curriculum includes the capstone studio for seniors in any BFA program in the College of Art. The capstone studio brings together all seniors in the studio areas and separately in the communication design and fashion areas for critical dialogue beyond disciplinary boundaries and to guide preparation for each area's culminating BFA exhibition.
Students in the class of 2030 and beyond must fulfill the following degree requirements. For academic requirements for the class of 2029 and prior classes, please consult Prior Bulletins.
A total of 121 credits are required for the BFA degree, with the specified number of credits in each area detailed below.
Distribution Requirements (12 credits)
Writing (3 credits)
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 credits)
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, and 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 credits)
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 or Policy, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Math and Physics, and some courses from departments such as Anthropology and Psychological & Brain Sciences. Courses tagged NSM Natural Sciences and Mathematics Art Sci IQ fulfill this requirement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
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, and 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 (15 credits)
These courses provide context for art and design studies by examining the cultural and historical impact of artworks and artifacts. The BFA degree requires students to complete two introductory survey courses and three electives.
- Select two introductory survey courses from the following:*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTARCH 1515 | History of Western Art, Architecture & Design | 3 |
| ARTARCH 2020 | Introduction to Modern Art, Architecture and Design | 3 |
| DESIGN 2050 | Introduction to Design History | 3 |
- *
If all three introductory courses are completed, the extra course will be counted as one of the three required electives.
- Select three electives from the following:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Any course in ARTARCH at the 2000 level or above | ||
| Any course tagged FA Visual Culture | ||
Foundations (13 credits)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1050 | Drawing | 3 |
| ART 1101 | Practices in Art + Design | 1 |
| ART 1110 | 2-D Design | 3 |
| ART 1120 | 3-D Design | 3 |
| DESIGN 1210 | Digital Studio | 3 |
| Total Units | 13 | |
Sam Fox Electives (12 credits)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Any courses in ART, DESIGN, FASHION, ARCH, LANDARCH or URBDES | 12 | |
Open Electives (30 credits)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Any courses in the following schools: Sam Fox, Arts & Sciences, Business, or Engineering* | 30 | |
- *
A maximum of 15 non-Washington University credits (including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and transfer credit) is permitted. No more than 9 credits may be applied to physical education, lessons, independent study, and internships. No credits from WashU Continuing & Professional Studies will be accepted.
Major Requirements (39 credits)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Studio Requirements | ||
| DESIGN 2201 | Typography I | 3 |
| DESIGN 2203 | Word and Image I | 3 |
| Major Elective or Intro Art Studio | Select any 2000-level course tagged FA Communication Design, FA Intro Art Studio, or in the FASHION subject area. | 3 |
| Junior/Senior Studio Requirements | ||
| DESIGN 3202 | Communication Design: Typography II | 3 |
| DESIGN 3203 | Communication Design: Word & Image II | 3 |
| DESIGN 3254 | Communication Design: Interaction Foundations | 3 |
| Major Electives | Select five 3000-level or above courses tagged FA Communication Design. Up to 3 units of Advanced Art courses tagged FA Advanced Art Studio can count toward this requirement. | 15 |
| Senior Design Capstone I & II | 6 | |
Select one of the sequences below: | ||
Form and Function | DESIGN 4120 Capstone in Design 1: Research Methods (Form and Function) & DESIGN 4125 Senior Design Capstone: Narrative Design | |
Form and Interaction | DESIGN 4130 Capstone in Design 1: Research Methods (Form and Interaction) & DESIGN 4135 Senior Design Capstone II: Interaction | |
Image and Story | DESIGN 4140 Capstone in Illustration 1 (Image and Story) & DESIGN 4145: Senior Illustration Capstone: Visual Stories | |
| Total | 39 | |