Undergraduate Majors

Important News!

BA and BFA Degrees

The BA (bachelor of arts) is a liberal arts degree program for students with multiple interests. Course work in the major is limited to 60 hours and either a double major or a minor is required. A minimum of 30 hours in the major must be taken on campus at DU.

The BFA (bachelor of fine arts) is a professional degree program requiring a minimum of 110 and a maximum of 135 hours in the major. All BFA students exhibit their work in the final quarter of their senior year. The BFA is for students desiring intensive, focused study in art. A minimum of 55 hours of the major must be taken on campus at DU.Admission is by portfolio application and a GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. Applications are accepted once per quarter in the 6th week. See below for application instructions and forms.

Majors

BA in Art

A minor in a field outside of the visual arts is highly recommended but an art history minor may also be taken. Students interested in art therapy should double major in psychologyand art .

Download Pre-2008 Advising Sheet with all requirements

New Advising Sheet for students entering fall 2008 and later

Art Resources

BFA in Studio Art

Students may concentrate in ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture by taking at least 20 credit hours in one of these areas as part of their 110 major hours or they may choose not to concentrate. BFA students do not complete a second major, but they may take a minor outside of the School of Art and Art History. They participate in a group exhibition near the end of the senior year.

Download Pre-2008 Advising Sheet with all requirements

New Advising Sheet for students entering fall 2008 and later

Current Students: Download BFA application form (pdf) (word)

Prospective Students: Download BFA application form

Art Resources

Art Education Options

Students interested in art education should contact the director of the Teacher Education Program (TEP) in the College of Education as soon as possible. DU's education classes are taught at the graduate level, whether taken for undergraduate or graduate credit. Interested students should also consult the Director of the School of Art and Art History at the first opportunity. Contact Dr. Annette Stott, Art Education advisor at 303-871-3278 and Dr. Richard Biffle, TEP Director at 303-871-2519.

Art Therapy

Du can help prepare students interested in art therapy through a double major in art and psychology. Graduate programs in art therapy are based either in psychology or art and require specific course preparation in both fields. The following websites list programs, and students are encouraged to explore these program sites as they plan their program at DU. Also, consult both art and psychology academic advisors.

American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) is a national association dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing. The organization provids Art Therapists, students, mental health professionals, and other interested parties, growth and development opportunities in the field of Art Therapy.

Colorado affiliate chapter of the American Art Therapy Association

BA in Art History

Students take Art History I and II (ARTH 1810 and 1820), ideally in chronological sequence. At least one course in non-western art NativeAmerican art, Asian art, Pre-Columbian art) and one in a period of art from before the year 1600 (Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance). Majors also take three classes of their choice in studio art, for a total of 59-60 hours. Students pursuing the B.A. degree must complete either a minor or a second major.

Dr. Scott Montgomery is the advisor for art history majors and can answer additional questions. 303-871-3272.

Download Pre-2008 Advising Sheet with all requirements

New Advising Sheet for students entering fall 2008 and later

What to do with your Art History Degree

Art History Resources

BA / MA in Art History

This very select, accelerated 5-year program allows advanced art history majors to pursue both BA and MA degrees simultaneously. Faculty normally identify students to apply in their junior year.

To qualify, you need:

2 years of a foreign language completed by end of 4th year
2 letters of recommendation from art history faculty
a strong research paper
a major GPA of at least 3.5 and at least 5 art history classes completed
Graduate Studies application
qualifying exam passed before the senior year

For more information about the application process, contact Dr. Annette Stott, 303-871-2846 or 1-800-876-3323.

Download Pre-2008 Advising Sheet with all requirements

New Advising Sheet for students entering fall 2008 and later

What to do with your Art History Degree

BA in Electronic Media Arts Design

eMAD provides some grounding in design communication with an emphasis on the potential of computer-related media as an art form. This prepares students for a wide variety of career positions in which a part of their duties might include design work. Students pursuing the B.A. degree must also complete either a minor or a second major. eMAD also comprises one third of the interdisciplinary Digital Media Studies program. Classes are taught in well equipped Mac studios and students have 24-hour access to the Leo block Digital Art Student Studio.

Download Pre-2008 Advising Sheet with all requirements

New Advising Sheet for students entering fall 2008 and later

eMAD Resources

BFA in Electronic Media Arts Design

Students who want to enter the design profession should complete the program for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. This provides intensive training in design principles, visual communication, critical approaches, the use of computers and design software, and professional design practices. The B.F.A. is also the program for students pursuing an independent art life as exhibiting electronic media artists. Most eMAD classes are taught in one of two Mac classrooms, where computers are replaced every three years and the latest software is available. Students have 24-hour access to the Leo block Digital Art Student Studio. B.F.A. students do not complete a second major, but they may take a minor outside of the School of Art and Art History. They participate in a group exhibition at the end of the senior year.

Download Pre-2008 Advising Sheet with all requirements

New Advising Sheet for students entering fall 2008 and later
Current Students: Download BFA application form

Prospective Students: Download BFA application form

Art Resources

BFA in Pre-Art-Conservation

This course of study is for students desiring to enter graduate programs to train to become art conservators. It requires intensive work in chemistry, languages, art history and studio art, as well as training in the senior year under the supervision of the chief conservator at the Denver Art Museum. One semester in Florence, Italy during the junior years is highly recommended in order to continue conservation studies under the conservators at Studio Art Centers International. Students participate in the group BFA exhibition at the conclusion of their studies.

Dr. Annette Stott is the advisor for pre-art-conservation and can answer additional questions 303-871-3278.

Download Pre-2008 Advising Sheet with all requirements

New Advising Sheet for students entering fall 2008 and later
Current Students: Download BFA application form

Prospective Students: Download BFA application form

Art Conservation Resources