Bachelor of Fine Arts

Tyler's curriculum is designed to give sound preparation to the future artist while at the same time avoiding narrow vocational goals. The freshman foundation program and introductory courses in each studio area develop a thorough understanding of fundamental processes and information. Advanced courses in the majors stress the development of an individual idiom and preparation for the professional world. At Tyler, art students find an atmosphere of aesthetic freedom that encourages personal experimentation and the exploration of visual concepts.

The BFA with Teaching Certification program leads to certification for teaching art in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students must complete BFA requirements along with a three-year department core in Education and Art Education that begins in the sophomore year. Because of increased requirements, four years plus one summer session are usually necessary to fulfill all requirements.

Freshman Year

The Foundation Program is highly structured and intensive; it forms the base that establishes the fundamental studio practice and principles for all visual art expression. In addition to presenting traditional vocabulary, theory, media, and technique, the Foundation Program develops creative thinking and problem solving, visual thinking, and perceptual and imaginative abilities. Faculty members from all areas of the school teach the Foundation courses, assuring a broad range of experience and diverse viewpoints.

Sophomore Year

Sophomore studio electives serve as prerequisites to enter the major, of which one specific course is required in each major. During the sophomore year,students are offered the opportunity to explore a wide range of studio areas. This experience gives the necessary background with which to make an informed selection of a major and adds to the overall breadth of the educational experience. Requirements are six 0100-level studio courses (18 s.h.), not to exceed three courses from any one major area and to include at least one course from three different major areas; and additional credits in Art History electives and/or University Core Curriculum.

Junior and Senior Years

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is completed after a final two-year concentration in a major studio area. Work in the major stresses the development of an individual idiom and preparation for the professional world. Because expressive work is often achieved by synthesis of disparate media, a substantial amount of studio work outside the major is allowed Requirements are eight specified 0200 - 0300 level major courses (24 s.h.), minimum grade of C- required in each course; seven studio electives which may be taken outside the major or as additional major (21 s.h.); and additional credits in Art History electives and/or University Core Curriculum.

BFA Degree

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 132 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

BFA Curriculum

Suggested Four Year BFA Sequence









BFA Degree with Teaching Certification

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Teaching Certification may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 148 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

(Note: The University is reviewing all school and college, major, and GPA requirements above 2.0.  Please refer to the electronic Bulletin for up-to-date information.)

BFA with Teaching Certification Curriculum

Four Year with Teaching Certification Sequence

BFA Program Descriptions

All BFA majors (including those who seek Art Teaching Certification K-12) share a common freshman foundation year.  Studies for the BFA degree at Tyler begin with a common freshman experience, the Foundation Year.  During this year, students are enrolled in studio courses in Drawing, 2-D and 3-D Principles, and Foundation Computer.  The Foundation Program is highly structured and intensive.  It forms the fundamental basis for studio practice, critical thinking, and the understanding and implementation of principles of visual art expression.  The program emphasizes creative and critical thinking, problem solving, visual thinking, perception and observation, as well as presents traditional vocabulary, theory, media, and techniques of artistic practice.  The Foundation Faculty is comprised of faculty from all major areas in the School, providing freshmen with a broad perspective and diverse points of view from which to build their experience as artists.

BFA Foundation Year