Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Certification in PreK–21, with a studio emphasis in Ceramics, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Time-Based Art.
Nature of the Program
This unique program allows students to earn teacher certification while emphasizing a content area within the B.F.A. curriculum. Typically, the student’s schedule is reviewed each semester with a studio-emphasis coordinator and the art education faculty member. In order to graduate in four years, students need to plan carefully to complete coursework in three-and-a-half years and then student teach in the final semester.
Degree requirements are designed by the certifying agency of the state of West Virginia and WVU. Education requirements are maintained by the state. Undergraduate art students who desire certification should consult with the art education coordinator to be certain of compliance with certification criteria. Students wanting certification to teach PreK–21 must complete competency requirements established by the state (including passing PRAXIS I and II) in addition to School of Art and Design B.F.A. degree requirements. (PRAXIS CORE must be waived or attempted before taking ART 365. PRAXIS ART CONTENT must be completed no later than the semester before taking ART 491D.)
Admissions
BFA Entrance Portfolio
Students must meet all WVU Undergraduate Admissions entrance requirements. The School of Art and Design requires a portfolio review for all applicants to the Bachelor of Fine Arts programs including the Art Education major. This evaluation is conducted by the art faculty and is designed to ensure that all students entering the studio program have certain basic competencies and skills. Students are encouraged to apply and complete the portfolio review at the earliest possible date. Applicants should visit the School website: http://artanddesign.wvu.edu/academics or phone the School office at (304) 293-2552 to receive detailed instructions and portfolio review application material. Applicants are to contact the CCA Office of Recruitment at (304) 293-4339 to schedule an audition.
Transfer
Transfer applicants in studio art must undergo a portfolio review to gain admittance in the program. Evaluation for advanced standing or transfer credit in studio subjects is not made solely upon the presentation of a transcript but may also depend on the evaluation of a portfolio of artwork. Transfer applicants to the Art Education major must have a GPA of 2.5.
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
Major Code: 2586
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations | ||
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
Total Hours | 31-37 |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
B.F.A. with Teacher Certification Curriculum
Students wishing certification to teach PreK–adult in West Virginia must complete competency requirements established by the state in addition to School of Art and Design B.F.A. Art Education degree requirements. Admission to the teacher certification program requires a 2.5 GPA overall.
The School of Art and Design values and supports written communication abilities and critical thinking skills developed through iterative writing experiences across the curriculum and within the discipline. To meet this goal students must pass with a B- or better a Writing Portfolio requirement that includes examples of academic, professional, and reflective writing they have produced in their regular courses. Please contact your advisor for more information.
Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
University Requirements | 27 | |
School of Art and Design Program Requirements | 30 | |
Art Education Major Requirements | 76 | |
Total Hours | 133 |
University Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 | 25 | |
ART 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
Total Hours | 27 |
School of Art and Design Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A grade of C- or higher required in all ART and ARHS courses in the program requirements. | ||
ARHS 120 | Survey of Art History 1 (May fulfill GEF 6) | 3 |
ARHS 160 | Survey of Art History 2 (May fulfill GEF 8) | 3 |
Studio Foundation Core | ||
ART 111S | Drawing 1 | 3 |
ART 121S | Visual Foundations 1 | 3 |
ART 122S | Visual Foundations 2 | 3 |
Studio Foundation Exploration | ||
Select five of the following: * | 15 | |
Painting 1 | ||
Introduction to Graphic Design | ||
Introduction to Sculpture | ||
Printmaking - Intaglio and Relief | ||
Photography 1 | ||
Introduction to Silkscreen | ||
Ceramics | ||
Introduction to Electronic Media 1 | ||
Beginning 3D Animation | ||
Writing Portfolio Requirement ** | ||
Total Hours | 30 |
- *
For students enrolled in the Area of Emphasis in Graphic Design, three-hours must include ART 232S.
- **
Please see your advisor for details on this requirement.
Art Education Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A grade of C- or higher required in all ART and ARHS courses in the major requirements. | ||
ARHS at the 200/300/400 Level * | 3 | |
ART 200 Level (Dependent on Area of Emphasis) | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Painting 2 | ||
Graphic Design 2 | ||
Sculpture | ||
Printmaking - Lithography | ||
Photography 2 | ||
Ceramics | ||
Introduction to Electronic Media 2 | ||
ART or ARHS at the 200/300/400 Level ** | 3 | |
Art Education | ||
ART 264 | Introduction to Art Education | 3 |
ART 265 | Art Education: Elementary | 3 |
ART 266 | Art Education: Secondary | 3 |
ART 365 | Pre-Student Teaching | 3 |
ART 367 | Technology Methods in Art Education | 3 |
Education | ||
EDP 301 | Learning in PreK-Adult Educational Settings | 3 |
SPED 304 | Special Education in Contemporary Society | 3 |
SPED 360 | Differentiation of Instruction for Students with Special Needs | 3 |
ARHS 389 | Contemporary | 3 |
Professional Practice (Student Teaching) | ||
ART 491D | Professional Field Experience *** | 16 |
ART Senior Capstone | 6 | |
Senior Projects in Painting | ||
Graphic Design: Senior Project | ||
Senior Projects in Sculpture | ||
Senior Projects in Printmaking | ||
Senior Projects in Photography | ||
Senior Projects in Ceramics | ||
Senior Projects in Intermedia | ||
Studio Area of Emphasis | 18 | |
Ceramics | ||
Graphic Design | ||
Painting | ||
Photography | ||
Printmaking | ||
Sculpture | ||
Time-Based Art | ||
PRAXIS CONTENT - Must be completed before enrolling in ART 491D. *** | ||
Total Hours | 76 |
- *
Excludes ARHS 411, ARHS 412 AND ARHS 414. For students enrolled in the Area of Emphasis in Graphic Design, three-hours must include ARHS 406.
- **
Students enrolled in the Area of Emphasis in Graphic Design must complete ART 234S.
- ***
PRAXIS Content - Must be completed before enrolling in ART 491D.
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ART 191 | 2 | Foundations Exploration | 3 |
ART 111S | 3 | Foundations Exploration | 3 |
ART 121S | 3 | Foundations Exploration | 3 |
ART 122S | 3 | ARHS 160 (GEF 8) | 3 |
ARHS 120 (GEF 6) | 3 | ART/ARHS Elective | 3 |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF 3 | 3 |
17 | 18 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
Foundations Exploration | 3 | ART 264 | 3 |
Foundations Exploration | 3 | Area of Emphasis Course | 6 |
ART 200-level Requirement | 3 | SPED 304 (GEF 4) | 3 |
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ARHS 200-Level or higher | 3 |
GEF 5 | 3 | GEF 8 | 3 |
15 | 18 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ART 265 | 3 | ART 266 | 3 |
Area of Emphasis Course | 6 | Area of Emphasis Course | 6 |
EDP 301 | 3 | ARHS 389 | 3 |
GEF 2 | 4 | GEF 7 | 3 |
GEF 8 | 3 | ||
16 | 18 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ART 365 | 3 | ART 491D | 16 |
ART 367 | 3 | ||
Senior Project | 6 | ||
SPED 360 | 3 | ||
15 | 16 | ||
Total credit hours: 133 |
Areas of Emphasis
Studio Emphasis: Ceramics Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Art 300-level Studio Emphasis Area | 18 | |
Ceramics | ||
Ceramic Production Methods | ||
Total Hours | 18 |
Studio Emphasis: Graphic Design Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ART 323S | Graphic Design 3 | 6 |
ART 324S | Graphic Design 4 | 6 |
or ART 425S | Graphic Design: Senior Project | |
ART 325S | Design for Web and Screen | 3 |
ART 328S | Advanced Typography | 3 |
Total Hours | 18 |
Studio Emphasis: Painting Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Art 300-level Studio Emphasis Area | 18 | |
Painting 3 | ||
Total Hours | 18 |
Studio Emphasis: Photography Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Art 300-level Studio Emphasis Area | 18 | |
Intermediate Photography | ||
or ART 331 | GPS-Jackson Hole Photography Workshop | |
or ART 333S | Alternative Photography | |
or ART 335S | Advanced Photography | |
Total Hours | 18 |
Studio Emphasis: Printmaking Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Art 300-level Studio Emphasis Area | 18 | |
Printmaking | ||
Total Hours | 18 |
Studio Emphasis: Sculpture Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Art 300-level Studio Emphasis Area | 18 | |
Sculpture | ||
Total Hours | 18 |
Studio Emphasis: Time-Based Art Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Minimum grade of C- or higher for all ART and ARHS courses required. | ||
Art 300-level Studio Emphasis Area | 18 | |
Intermediate Electronic Media | ||
or ART 371S | Interactive Art | |
or ART 372S | Interactive Design | |
Total Hours | 18 |
Major Learning Outcomes
Art Education
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) is a professional degree with an intensive focus on an area of the Arts supported by a program in general studies. The intent of the B.F.A. is to prepare for professional practice in the area of the degree.
- The ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively, and to communicate with precision, cogency and rhetorical force.
- An informed acquaintance with the mathematical and experimental methods of the physical and biological sciences, and with the main forms of analysis of the historical and quantitative techniques needed for investigating the workings and developments of modern society.
- An ability to address culture and history from a variety of perspectives.
- Understanding of, and experience in thinking about, moral and ethical problems.
- The ability to respect, understand and evaluate work in a variety of disciplines.
- The capacity to explain and defend views effectively and rationally.
Additional specific goals related to the art education major:
- Studio Art-The prospective art teacher must be familiar with the basic expressive, technical, procedural and organizational skills, and conceptual insights which can be developed through studio art and design experiences.
- Art History and Analysis-The prospective art teacher must have an understanding of: (1) The major styles and periods of art history, analytical methods, and theories of criticism. (2) The development of past and contemporary art forms. (3) Contending philosophies of art. (4) The fundamental and integral relationships of all these to the making of art.
- Teaching Competencies-The artist-teacher must be able to connect an understanding of educational processes and structures with an understanding of relationships among the arts, sciences, and humanities, in order to apply art competencies in teaching situations and to integrate art/design instruction into the total process of education. Specific competencies include:
a. An understanding of child development and the identification and understanding of psychological principles of learning as they relate to art education.
b. An understanding of the philosophical and social foundation underlying art in education and the ability to express a rationale for personal attitudes and beliefs.
c. Ability to assess aptitudes, experiential backgrounds, and interests of individuals and groups of students, and to devise learning experiences to meet assessed needs.
d. Knowledge of current methods and materials available in all fields and levels of art education.
e. Basic understanding of the principles and methods of developing curricula and the short- and long-term instructional units that comprise them.
f. The ability to accept, amend, or reject methods and materials based on personal assessment of specific teaching situations.
g. An understanding of evaluative techniques and the ability to apply them in assessing both the progress of students and the objectives and procedures of the curriculum.
h. Ability to organize continuing study and to incorporate knowledge gained into self-evaluation and professional growth.