Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Practices

Program Overview

The BFA in Art Practices offered by the Department of Art at Portland State University is a competitive one-year long program providing a comprehensive education in visual art practices, applications, contemporary theories and art history, with an emphasis on current trends in contemporary arts. 

The BFA differs from the BA/BS in art.  The BA/BS is a Liberal Arts degree in Art Practices (88 Art credits required). The BFA (108 Art credits required) is designed as an alternative professional degree, providing students with greater knowledge and tools for a future professional practice.

The BFA Program requires the student to research, develop, assemble and present a body of work, well researched, conceived and executed, culminating with an end of the year group exhibition.  An official individual oral review will take place at the time of the exhibition, when students meet with their BFA committee members and present a summary of their entire production conducted during the program.

Applications for the BFA Program are due each Spring Quarter (look for announcements!).  Students will submit an online digital portfolio along with other application requirements. Specifically, students must have completed 72 or more Art credits required for the BA/BS in Art Practices, completed most of their University requirements prior to applying, and have an Art/Art History GPA of at least 3.0. The first three years of the BA/BS and BFA are identical and seamless. Therefore, students not admitted to the BFA Program may simply complete the BA/BS in Art Practices and graduate with that degree. The admitted BFA students will follow up on a specifically designated BFA track and after one year, upon completion of all the required credits, graduate with a BFA degree.

For more information about the BFA Program, the application procedures and the Department of Art at PSU please visit our website: http://www.pdx.edu/art/ or contact our Art Office at: (503)725-3515.  More...

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In addition to completion of course offerings from the BA/BS track in Art Practices, the BFA degree requires the following courses.

ART 430          Critical Art Theory II (4)
ART 485          Studio Art Seminar (2)
ART 492          Contemporary Studio Practice (4, 4)
ART 498          BFA Thesis Exhibition (2)
ARH 499/599   Contemporary Art II (4)

2011-2012 BFA Art Practices Course Requirements

2010-2011 BFA Art Practices Course Requirements

2009-2010 BFA Art Practices Course Requirements

Deadline for Admission

The Art Department will begin accepting applications for the 2011-2012 academic year in March 2011.  The deadline for applications is April 17, 2011.