B.F.A. in Art
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
The Art degrees offered by the School of Art, Design, and Art History prepare students to pursue the professional production and exhibition of their own art or more in-depth study at the graduate school level.
The art major allows students to develop a visual vocabulary, foster a deeper understanding of the formal visual relationships present in the art and design process, enhance their aesthetic awareness of art forms, and to promote the competency to independently seek further professional growth.
The Art major requires 120 credit hours of undergraduate course work, including 78 credit hours in art, art history, and art-related courses.
The art faculty is made up of practicing artists who work closely with the students, and students also work closely with each other as they develop their studio practice. Visiting artists and scholars, workshops, field trips and frequent on-campus exhibitions of professional artwork enhance student engagement with contemporary art. Additionally, students have opportunities to exhibit and present their artwork, assist in running on-campus galleries and studio art labs, and to partake in other hands-on art experiences.
Gallery
Program Outcome
Students graduating with a major in art will:
- Display technical command of at least one medium and display fluency in a range of media
- Effectively analyze and apply two- and three-dimensional design principles and devices
- Develop an independent line of creative inquiry that embraces risk-taking and inventive solutions
- Knowledgeably critique and contextualize their artwork to cultivate expressive ideas and meaningful content
- Demonstrate awareness of contemporary art and art history within a global context
Admissions
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art offers concentrations in ceramics, fibers, integrated 3D, metals, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. It is designed for students who aspire to develop a professional art practice as expansively defined in today’s world. Students are prepared to produce and exhibit art and pursue further study at the graduate level.
The art faculty is made up of practicing artists who work closely with the students, and students also work closely with each other as they develop their studio practice. Visiting artists and scholars, workshops, field trips and frequent on-campus exhibitions of professional artwork enhance student engagement with contemporary art. Additionally, students have opportunities to exhibit and present their artwork, assist in running on-campus galleries and studio art labs and partake in other hands-on art experiences.
Required Courses
- General Education courses 41 Credit Hours1
- University elective 1 Credit Hours
- Major requirements (listed below) 78 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
Major and Concentration Requirements
The general fine arts concentration requires 78 credit hours in art, art history and art-related courses.
Foundation Courses
- ART 102. Two-Dimensional Design (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 104. Drawing I (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 106. Three-Dimensional Design (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 108. Drawing II (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 206. Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
Studio courses (choose six of the following): 18 Credit Hours
Courses cannot be double-counted in studio concentration.
- ART 220. Introductory Ceramics: Potter’s Wheel (0,9) Credits: 3.00
or - ART 222. Introductory Ceramics: Handbuilding (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 230. Introduction to Fiber Processes (0,9) Credits: 3.00
or - ART 232. Introduction to Fiber Arts: Structures Credits: 3.00
or - ART 234. Introduction to Fiber Arts: Surfaces Credits: 3.00
- ART 240. Metal and Jewelry (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 252. Introductory Painting (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 260. Introductory Photography: Black and White (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 270. Printmaking: Screenprint (0,9) Credits: 3.00
or - ART 272. Printmaking: Relief and Intaglio Credits: 3.00
or - ART 274. Printmaking: Lithography (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 280. Sculpture (0,9) Credits: 3.00
Studio Concentration (choose one of the following): 15 Credit Hours
Credits taken to fulfill the studio concentration must be taken in a single studio area.
- Ceramics
- ART 220. Introductory Ceramics: Potter’s Wheel (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 222. Introductory Ceramics: Handbuilding (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 320. Intermediate Ceramics: Molds & Casting (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 322. Intermediate Ceramics: Surface Development (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 420. Advanced Ceramics: Portfolio Development (0,9) Credits: 1.00 - 3.00 (repeatable to 9 credits)
- Fibers
- ART 230. Introduction to Fiber Processes (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 232. Introduction to Fiber Arts: Structures Credits: 3.00
- ART 234. Introduction to Fiber Arts: Surfaces Credits: 3.00
- ART 330. Intermediate Fiber Processes (0, 9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 430. Advanced Fiber Processes Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- ART 432. Digital Processes in Fibers Credits: 3.00
- ART 434. Collaboration in Fiber Arts Credits: 3.00
- ART 436. Woven Structures in Fiber Arts Credits: 3.00
- ART 438. Iterative Structures in Fiber Arts Credits: 3.00
- Metals and Jewelry
- ART 240. Metal and Jewelry (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 340. Intermediate Metal and Jewelry (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 440. Advanced Metal and Jewelry (0,9) Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- An additional 6 credits in ART 340 and/or ART 440
- Painting and Drawing
- ART 252. Introductory Painting (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 350. Figure Drawing (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 352. Intermediate Painting Credits: 3.00
- ART 452. Advanced Painting (0,9) Credits: 1.00-3.00 (repeat for credit)
- Photography
- ART 260. Introductory Photography: Black and White (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 360. Intermediate Photography: Digital (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- Complete three of the following courses:
- ART 362. Intermediate Photography: Experimental Black & White (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 364. Intermediate Photography: Large Format (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 460. Advanced Photography: Alternative Processes (0,9) Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- ART 462. Advanced Photography: The Prehistory of Photography, Magic and Illusion Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- ART 464. Advanced Photography: The Photograph as Document Credits: 3.00
- ART 466. Advanced Photography: Performance for the Lens Credits: 3.00
- ART 468. Advanced Photography: Screen-Based Photo/Video Credits: 3.00
- ART 469. Photography: Portfolio Development (0,9) Credits: 1.00-3.00
- Printmaking
- ART 270. Printmaking: Screenprint (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 272. Printmaking: Relief and Intaglio Credits: 3.00
- ART 274. Printmaking: Lithography (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 470. Advanced Printmaking (0,9) Credits: 1.00-3.00 (repeatable to 6 credits)
- Sculpture
- ART 280. Sculpture (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 380. Sculpture: Conceptual Practice (0,9) Credits: 3.00
- ART 480. Sculpture: Expanded Field Credits: 1.00-3.00 (repeatable to 9 credits)
- Integrated 3D
- For information on the Integrated 3D concentration, see this catalog page: Art, Integrated 3D Concentration, B.F.A.
Art History electives (300-400 level): 6 Credit Hours
Excludes ARTH 490, ARTH 495 and ARTH 499.
Art and art-related electives: 21 Credit Hours
Art and art-related electives may include courses from graphic design, architectural design, art education independent study, industrial design, internships and study abroad studio courses but excludes courses taken to fulfill the studio concentration.
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Year
- ART 102. Two-Dimensional Design (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 104. Drawing I (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ART 106. Three-Dimensional Design (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 206. Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- Cluster One: Skills for the 21st Century 9-12 Credit Hours
- General Education: The Human Community courses 3 Credit Hours
Second Year
- ART 108. Drawing II (0,6) Credits: 3.00
- Required two- and three-dimensional studio art electives 9 Credit Hours
- Studio concentration 6 Credit Hours
- General Education: The Human Community courses12 Credit Hours
Third Year
- Art history elective (300-400 level) 3 Credit Hours
- Required two- and three-dimensional studio art electives 9 Credit Hours
- Studio concentration 6 Credit Hours
- General or art electives (any level) 6 Credit Hours
- General Education: The Human Community courses 6 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
- Art history elective (300-400 level) 3 Credit Hours
- Studio concentration 6 Credit Hours
- General or art electives 9 Credit Hours
- General Education: The Human Community courses 12 Credit Hours
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Art
- Teaching Artist at Keegan Theatre
- Patent Examiner (Electrical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Chemical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Biomedical Engineer) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Physics) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Art Therapist at A Free Bird Corporation
- Health & Fitness Article Writer at Bodybuilding.com
- Laser Applications Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Student Teaching Opportunity at The Civic Circle
- Entry Level Data Scientist with Python at i28 Technologies Corporation
- Senior Embedded Systems Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Full-Time Lecturers - Department of English at Case Western Reserve University
- Public Health Sanitarian at City of Philadelphia
- Adjunct Faculty in Social Studies (Bard High School Early College Queens) at Bard Early Colleges / Bard High School Early College (Headquarters)
- Receptionist - Community Manager I at Carr Workplaces
- Teacher - Special Education (Special Education Teacher) at Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Art Therapist at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Visual Art
- Pull Planning Analyst at Emerson
- Patent Examiner (Electrical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Chemical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Biomedical Engineer) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Physics) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Solar Photochemistry Postdoc at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- Graduate Acoustics Consultant (Available 2023) at Arup
- ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER - EMISSIONS REDUCTION AND ENERGY at Town of Cary
- Data Science / Math / Statistics / Operations Research New Grad Positions at MITRE Corporation
- Special Education Teacher at Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Web Services Front End Designer and Developer at Spartanburg County Public Library
- Supply Chain Manager - Experienced at Procter & Gamble (P&G)
- Physical Distribution Digital Engineer at Procter & Gamble (P&G)
- Extended Day Activity Instructor at New York Edge
- Human Factors Engineer at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD)
- Solidworks Engineer - Furniture/Toy/Prop Designer at Creative Works
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Georgia at Southern Teachers Agency
Art Education
- Patent Examiner (Electrical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Chemical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Biomedical Engineer) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Physics) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Recreation Leader I, Newhall Community Center - PTS at City of Santa Clarita
- Physical Therapist at LifePoint Health Student Programs
- Entry Level Sales Executive (Virginia Beach, VA) 3585 at Genesis Biotechnology Group
- Front Office Coordinator - Tucson North at BASIS Charter Schools
- Front Office Assistant - Tucson North at BASIS Charter Schools
- Physical Therapist at LifeScape
- Assistant Professor of English, tenure track at Montana State University-Northern
- Full-Time Lecturers - Department of English at Case Western Reserve University
- Public Health Sanitarian at City of Philadelphia
- Home Health RN - Flexible Hours at Saint Luke's Health System
- Adjunct Faculty in Social Studies (Bard High School Early College Queens) at Bard Early Colleges / Bard High School Early College (Headquarters)
- Teacher - Special Education (Special Education Teacher) at Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Dean of Academic Life (Bard High School Early College Baltimore) at Bard Early Colleges / Bard High School Early College (Headquarters)
Photography
- Marketing Content Coordinator at Hunter Hotel Advisors
- Associate Director of Communications at Emily Krzyzewski Center
- Structural Design Engineer - Albany, NY at JMT
- Structural Design Engineer - Syracuse, NY at JMT
- Highways Design Engineer - Albany, NU at JMT
- Highways Design Engineer - Syracuse, NY at JMT
- Digital Marketing Manager (@ Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee) at Jobs That Help
- Social Media Content Creator at Planit Advertising, Inc.
- Medical Scientific Photographer at Global Solutions Network, Inc.
- Sports/News MSJ at TEGNA
- Photography Counselor at Tripp Lake Camp
- Highway Design Engineer - Round Rock, TX at JMT
- Highway Design Engineer - Longview, TX at JMT
- Marketing and Communications Coordinator at ASM Research
- Transportation Design Engineer - Charlotte, NC at JMT
- Highway Design Engineer - Sylva, NC at JMT
- Highway Design Engineer - Winston-Salem, NC at JMT
- Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Tidewater Jewish Foundation
- Associate Content Producer at NextGen America
Internships for JMU Students
Art
- Cinematographer Internship at iHeartMedia
- R&D Engineering Intern at Carrier
- R&D Engineering Intern at Carrier
- Summer Associate Internship Program, Client Service (San Francisco) at AlphaSights
- Intern, Engineering at IPG Photonics
- UX Designer / UX Researcher Intern - Summer 2023 Internship (Meraki) at Cisco
- Summer Intern, Investment Management at Strategic Investment Group
- Summer 2023 Internships for Creative and Visual Arts at Camp Weequahic
- Automotive Audio Systems Intern at Tesla
- Technical Intern - Systems Integration & Test at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Data Scientist at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Thermal Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Optical Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- WEB3 Interns - Music Industry at Ropeadope
- Digital Marketing Intern at Leading Authorities, Inc.
- Center for Jewish History – Audio Visual Intern at Center for Jewish History
- 2023 - Early Career - Internal Audit - Summer Intern - United States, Multiple Locations at AIG
- Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Human Resources Intern at JCC
Visual Art
- Summer 2023 Internships for Creative and Visual Arts at Camp Weequahic
- Digital Marketing Intern at Leading Authorities, Inc.
- Center for Jewish History – Audio Visual Intern at Center for Jewish History
- Software Engineering Intern at IPG Photonics
- Summer Journalism Internships in Digital/Editing/Business Reporting/Audience/Data at Dow Jones News Fund
- Digital Artist Intern at KCF Technologies, Inc.
- Digital Product Design Undergraduate Internship at Nike, Inc.
- Creative Services Summer Intern at CUNA Mutual Group
- Creative Services Internship January-May 2023 at E. & J. Gallo Winery
- Character Art Intern - Fortnite - R23434 at Epic Games
- Technical Game Design Intern - Fortnite - R23358 at Epic Games
- Technical UI Design Intern - Fortnite - R23342 at Epic Games
- Art Director Intern at broadhead.
- Marketing Intern - YouTube at Lori Designs
- 2023 Blackstone Technology and Innovations, Identity and Access Management Summer Analyst, Miami at Blackstone
- Fall 2022 Creative Intern at Charity Brands Consulting
- Social Media Marketing; Email Marketing; Customer Service, Member Support & Care; Public Relations (PR); E-Commerce & Merchandise; Video, Film, & Media Production; Website & Technology; Human Resources (HR); Business Management & Operations; Analytics at National STEM Honor Society (NSTEM)
- Graphic Design Intern (Remote or Hybrid) at Thaddeus Resource Center
- Artist in Residence Intern at Project Chimps
Art Education
- Technical Intern - Systems Integration & Test at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Data Scientist at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Thermal Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Optical Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Human Resources Intern at JCC
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Spring 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Summer 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Engineering Intern, Wafer Processing at IPG Photonics
- Paid Internships for Education Majors and Student Athletes at a Coed Summer Camp at Tyler Hill Camp
- Coed Summer Camp - Paid Internships at Tyler Hill Camp
- AmeriCorps Summer Daycamp Leader - PT North Texas Internship at Project Transformation North Texas
- Digital Artist Intern at KCF Technologies, Inc.
- Internships in Design, Verification, and Validation Engineering - Summer 2023 at NXP Semiconductors
- CDC Clinical Chemistry Internship at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- Summer 2023 Bond & Specialty Insurance Underwriting Internship at Travelers
- Summer 2023 Bond & Specialty Insurance Underwriting Internship at Travelers
- Stage Management Internship - Toni Stone Production at Goodman Theatre
- Stage Management Internship - A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre
Photography
- Intern, Photography at Minnesota Twins
- Intern, Brand Partnerships - Creative & Content at Minnesota Twins
- Intern, Baseball Communications at Minnesota Twins
- Marketing/Business internship at Moon River Senior Care and Transportation
- CleanEarth4Kids.org Video/Film/Photography Intern at CleanEarth4Kids.org
- Paid Media Intern at Brand Knew
- Design Co-op Spring 2023 at Procter & Gamble (P&G)
- Graphic Design Internship - Spring 2023 at SOFWERX at DefenseWERX
- Design Co-op Summer 2023 (product design, graphic design, UX design) at Procter & Gamble (P&G)
- Youth Development Internship at Circle F Dude Ranch Camp and Outdoor Education Center
- Creative Services Internship January-May 2023 at E. & J. Gallo Winery
- Traveling Communications Intern at American Junior Golf Association
- Virtual Graphic Design Intern - Fall/ Winter Semester 22-23 at 360 Marketing
- Short Film/Video Content Creator ( Part-Time, Paid) (Immediate, Remote/Flexible hours) - School Year 2022-23 at CaringDr Corporation
- Media Coordinator at Camp Cheerio and Cheerio on the New River
- Corporate Communications Intern at Railinc Corp.
- Marketing Intern - YouTube at Lori Designs
- Biological Support Members - Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex at American Conservation Experience
- Social Media Virtual Intern (Winter/Spring 2023) at Smithsonian Associates
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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