College of Arts and Architecture
School of Visual Arts
The Penn State School of Visual Arts offers four degree programs:
Bachelor of Arts in Art (B.A.)
The Bachelor of Arts degree program provides the student with the opportunity to pursue a broad-based liberal education with a concentration in one of six studio areas.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art (B.F.A.)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program provides preparation in art that enables the graduate to pursue a professional career through graduate study or through immediate involvement in personal creative work.
Bachelor of Design in Interdisciplinary Digital Studio (B.Des.)
The Bachelor of Design degree program prepares students either for professional digital art and design careers or for graduate study.
Bachelor of Science in Art Education (B.S.).
The Bachelor of Science in Art Education degree enables students to pursue one of two options: K-12 teaching certification or careers in museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions.
In all four degree programs, the student initially schedules foundation courses in studio principles of art and design, followed by intermediate experiences across the curriculum. The student then proceeds to advanced levels of study in studio art courses, interdisciplinary digital studio courses, or art education courses. Entry into the B.F.A. degree program in an area of concentration is determined by a review of students’ placement portfolios by School of Visual Arts faculty.
Career Opportunities
Alumni from the School of Visual Arts pursue a wide variety of career paths. Some of the professions our alumni have pursued include fine art (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking), crafts (ceramics and metalworking), photography (chemical and digital), new media (digital art and design), graphic arts, visual communications, academia (higher education), teaching (K-12 level), and working in galleries, museums, and other cultural institutions. It is also possible to combine the art degree requirements with the necessary requirements to obtain a teaching certificate.
Specific Requirements
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Complete Academic Plan
All students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the School of Visual Arts are required to complete 45 credits in general education and 12–24 credits in bachelor of arts degree requirements. Each student completes 51 credits in requirements for the major. A minimum of 120 credits is required for the bachelor of arts degree in art.
Prescribed courses include those in the School of Visual Arts foundations curriculum. The student selects 12 credits in additional art courses and 24 credits in supporting courses, 12 in the area of concentration (ceramics, drawing and painting, metal art/technology, new media, photography, printmaking, sculpture), and 12 in art history.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Complete Academic Plan
The requirements for the bachelor of fine arts degree include 45 credits in general education and 83 credits of work in the major field with a strong concentration in ceramics, drawing and painting, new media, photography, printmaking, or sculpture, as well as 12 credits in art history. A minimum of 122 credits is required for the bachelor of fine arts degree in art.
- Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) Complete Academic Plan
Requirements for the IDS major include courses in art and design theory, graphics, and digital technology. The core of the program is the IDS studio sequence. Additional courses involve choices among architecture, art, art history, history, geography, and many other subjects. The curriculum enables students to select electives they could use to pursue a minor. The course requirements for the bachelor of design degree include 45 credits in general education and 75 credits in requirements for the major. A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree.
- Bachelor of Science in Art Education (B.S.)
Schools Option Complete Academic Plan
Museums and Cultural Instutions Options Complete Academic Plan
A minimum of 135 credits is required for the B.S. in art education for the schools option (49 credits includes student teaching). Graduates of this option will have met all of the academic requirements for a teaching certificate in Pennsylvania and in about thirty other states as well. (See also Teacher
Certification Requirements.). A minimum of 120 credits is required for the B.S. in art education for the museums and cultural institutions option. Both options include courses in general requirements, art studio, art history, and professional courses in art education
For additional information about these majors, contact the School of Visual Arts, The Pennsylvania State University, 210 Patterson Building, University Park, PA 16802-5401;
(814) 865-0444