BACHELOR’S OF FINE ART (BFA)

Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree programs generally take 3-4 years to complete, and includes a concentration or major of interest. It requires approximately 2/3 of the coursework focusing on the study and creation in the Visual Arts, and 1/3 in liberal arts (psychology, history, literature, etc.)

BACHELOR’S OF ART, DESIGN, OR ARCHITECTURE
(BA, B.A., B. Des, B. Arch, AB or A.B.)

Bachelor of Arts degree programs generally take three to four years to complete. Liberal arts schools and smaller universities usually offer BA’s. It is considered a more academic route, and requires approximately 2/3 focus on liberal arts (psychology, history, literature, etc.) and 1/3 focus in the visual arts.  B. Des: Bachelor’s of Design, which focuses design including industrial design, graphic design, etc. Most schools don’t specialize in B. Design but it is becoming popular amongst American schools.

*In the UK & Europe, a BA might be referred to as a BA(hons) which are standard higher education qualifications recognized in those countries.

Breaking down a Concentration vs. a Major

Declaring a concentration means emphasizing a specific area within your chosen major. However, some schools consider a concentration to be the same thing as a minor, so it’s always important to check the website for more information.  

For example, at NYU’s Studio Art Major, it is mandatory that the student complete a freshman foundation course before deciding their concentration in their 2nd or 3rd year, which includes:

• Sculpture 
• Craft Sculpture: Ceramics, Metalsmithing, Fabric, and Glass,
• Photography
• Design/Video Studio & Digital Imaging
• Digital Fabrication Studio
• Painting and Drawing
• Print
• Environmental Activism 

At a school like RISD, it is optional for students to choose a concentration (which then acts like a minor). There are four concentrations available. The first three listed are in Liberal Arts and the fourth is interdepartmental:

• Concentration in History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC)
• Concentration in History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences (HPSS)
• Concentration in Literary Arts and Studies (LAS)
• Concentration in Nature, Culture, Sustainability Studies (NCSS)

What’s a Minor?

A minor within the art school or art dept. is similar to having a concentration. When a student graduates, they will receive their degree, as well as recognition for a minor if they choose to pursue the minor. It could be a liberal arts minor such as art History, or a humanities focus. 

At MICA, students have the option to minor in the liberal arts, art history, literary studies, creative writing, gender studies, culture and politics, or critical theory, 

They also have a choice for a studio concentration which includes Animation, Architectural Design, Book Arts, Ceramics, etc. 

Some schools offer a minor in art or studio art to students enrolled in a separate dept. such as engineering, theatre & dance, business, etc.

At NYU, The Department of Art and Art Professions offers three distinctive minors for undergraduates majoring in other departments throughout New York University.   

The minors each consist of four courses for a total of 16 points.

The Studio Art Minor allows students the opportunity to explore three areas of contemporary studio practice: Drawing/Painting/Printmaking; Sculpture/Ceramics/Jewelry; and Photography/Video Art/Digital Art.

The Digital Art & Design Minor provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary    to conceive and create digitally based design work.

The Global Visual Art Minor consists of four courses taken here and abroad that combines    studio practice and critical and historical studies.

What’s a Dual Degree?

Oftentimes called a double degree, or combined degree, you can work for two different university/school degrees, either at the same institution or different institutions. This usually takes about 5 years to complete. For example, RISD and Brown University have a 5-year Dual Degree program that allows students to take courses from each school to receive a BA and BFA simultaneously.

Another school that has a Dual Degree program is Carnegie Mellon University, that includes their own program within the university called the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs, allowing students to receive a BSA (Bachelor of Sciences & Arts) BHA (Bachelor of Humanities & Arts) BCSA (Bachelor of Computer Science & Arts).

At U. of Michigan, “Students who wish to pursue two degrees —one from the Stamps School of Art & Design (BFA or BA), and a second from another academic unit (school or college)—should read the bulletins/handbooks of both units carefully and plan a program of study that meets the degree requirements for both units.”

It is important to distinguish between a double major and the dual degree program: A student pursuing a double major satisfies the requirements for two separate major programs within the College but earns a single B.A. degree. A student pursuing a dual degree will receive two bachelor’s degrees simultaneously, from two separate schools of the University.