The highly ranked Department of Art’s degree programs provide creative students with the critical and artistic skills needed to excel in contemporary and multidisciplinary art and design practices. The art curriculum fosters positive collaboration, the creation of innovative and technically advanced artworks, and encourages the sharing of diverse points of view.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts is the most studio-intensive, professional-level degree for artists and designers. Approximately 44 of the 72 required studio credits are spent in intermediate and advanced-level studio courses, allowing art and design students to graduate with a highly advanced portfolio. Most art majors decide to follow this degree path during their sophomore or junior years. With excellent planning and time management, it can be completed in four years.
All of the degree programs in art feature a rigorous foundation program, a set of six courses that students often complete by participating in the popular Contemporary Art & Artists First-Year Interest Group (FIG), before branching out into one or more specialized areas:
- 4D Digital Media
- 4D Video and Performance
- Ceramics
- Drawing/Painting
- Glass/Neon
- Graphic Design
- Metals/Jewelry
- Printmaking/Book Arts
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Wood/Furniture
Potential careers for artists include
The Department of Art believes that hardworking students who learn to harness and nurture their creative energies today will be the people influencing progress tomorrow. Come join us!
How to Get in
Program Admission Overview
Students interested in the Art–BFA degree, or Art-BFA with the Graphic Design named option, initially enroll in the Art–BS degree or Art-BS with the Graphic Design named option while completing prerequisite coursework and establishing other criteria for BFA eligibility. A BFA mentoring meeting to review a portfolio of work is part of the BFA selection process. Students will typically declare the BFA in their junior year and must have attained a minimum of junior standing. For the BFA, a BFA mentoring meeting may be scheduled during the semester that the required courses will be completed. For the BFA: Graphic Design named option, the declaration may be submitted during the semester that the required courses will be completed, with the exception of ART 102 2D Foundations and ART 107 Introduction to Digital Forms, which must be successfully completed.
Application and Admission
New freshmen and off-campus transfers are admitted directly to the Art–BS degree program and receive an ART classification. All art degree programs currently admit on-campus students to begin in the fall, spring, and summer. Requirements and selection criteria may be modified from one application/admission period to the next. Potential applicants should consult the School of Education's Undergraduate Admissions page for updates to eligibility requirements prior to submitting an application.
Application Procedures
Prospective UW–Madison Applicants
The Office of Admissions and Recruitment makes final determinations regarding admission criteria and the status of all applicants. Additional information, including submission guidelines, is available on the How to Apply page of the art department's website.
Current UW–Madison Students
On-campus students interested in pursuing the BFA must first apply to the Art–BS degree program. A meeting with an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Art is required, and can be scheduled using Starfish, or by contacting the Department of Art at 608-262-1660. Upon completion of the BFA mentoring meeting (see additional details below), students will complete an application signed by an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Art to move into the BFA program.
Transfer Students
Applicants not already enrolled on the UW–Madison campus must be admissible to the university to enroll in a School of Education program. Admission to UW–Madison requires a separate application and admission process. See UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment for application information. Note that off-campus transfer students will be held to the UW–Madison admission GPA requirements. BFA candidates cannot transfer directly into the BFA program; instead, they will be admitted to campus as if pursing a BS–Art degree (ART classification) and can apply for the BFA program once enrolled on campus. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Department of Art advisor prior to coming to campus; call 608-262-1660 to schedule an appointment. Prospective transfer students are strongly advised to meet with an advisor in the School of Education Student Services office in advance of their application; to schedule, call 608-262-1651.
Students With a Previous Degree
Prospective applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor in the School of Education Student Services office in advance of their application. Consultations with advisors are available in person or via telephone; to schedule, call 608-262-1651.
Applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree are admitted to the School of Education as either an Education Special student or a second degree student, depending on their interests and academic background. Admission as an Education Special student indicates that that the student has an interest in pursuing certification in a subject area studied during the initial degree; another degree is not awarded for this "certification only" coursework. Second degree students are seeking a second, unrelated degree from the School of Education, which may, or may not, include teacher certification. Candidates for limited enrollment programs must meet all admission eligibility requirements for the program and must compete with the eligible applicants for program admission. More information is available here.
Criteria for Admission
- Previous Art–BS or Art-BS Graphic Design named option degree program status.
- Cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5 based on UW–Madison campus coursework, as modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule (detailed below).
- For the BFA degree and the BFA degree with the Graphic Design named option, successful completion or concurrent enrollment in the following courses:
Course List Code Title Credits ART 102 2D Foundations 3 ART 104 3D Foundations 3 ART 107 Introduction to Digital Forms 3 ART 108 Foundations of Contemporary Art 3 ART 208 Current Directions in Art 3 ART 212 Drawing Foundations 3 One course from each of the following. See Requirements section for course options: 2D Studio3D Studio4D StudioGraphics - For the Graphic Design named option, must have successfully completed ART 102 2D Foundations and ART 107 Introduction to Digital Forms.
- Minimum 3.0 Art studio course GPA.
- BFA mentoring meeting.
- The declaration process includes a portfolio and artist statement that must be submitted only after all prerequisite coursework has been completed or during the semester the courses will be completed. The portfolio must contain images of work completed in college art courses. BFA mentoring meetings are held throughout the academic school year.
Last 60 Credits Rule
Two grade point averages will be calculated to determine candidates' eligibility to programs. GPAs will be calculated using
- all transferable college level coursework attempted, and
- the last 60 credits attempted.
The higher GPA of these two will be used for purposes of determining eligibility. If fewer than 60 credits have been attempted, all credits will be used to calculate the GPA. Graded graduate coursework will also be used in all GPA calculations. ("Attempted" coursework indicates coursework for which a grade has been earned.) For more information on this rule, see this link.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
School of Education Liberal Studies Requirements
All students are required to complete a minimum of 40 credits of Liberal Studies coursework. This requirement provides an opportunity to do some academic exploration beyond the scope of the major. Students take courses in areas of particular interest and also have an opportunity to sample the wide selection of courses offered across the university. Coursework is required in humanities, social studies, science, and cultural and historical studies. Some elective coursework is also needed to reach the required number of credits.
The School of Education’s Liberal Studies Requirements automatically satisfy most of the University General Education Requirements outlined above, including ethnic studies, humanities/literature, social studies, and science. Students pursuing most School of Education degree programs may also complete Communication Part B, Quantitative Reasoning Part A, and Quantitative Reasoning Part B through courses required by their degree program. If a student cannot complete a General Education Requirement within the curriculum of their chosen School of Education program, academic advisors can offer suggestions for courses that meet the requirement and augment the student’s primary area of study.
A basic outline of the liberal studies is included below. Students must consult the detailed version of the requirements for information about course selection and approved course options.
Humanities, 9 credits
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits to include:
- Literature
- Fine Arts
- Humanities Electives
Social Studies (Social Science)
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits. Teacher certification programs and Kinesiology have unique requirements in this category.
Science
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits to include:
- Biological Science
- Physical Science
- Laboratory Science
- Science Electives
Cultural and Historical Studies
All students must complete three requirements (9 credits) met by separate courses. Any of these courses can also be used to meet the Humanities or Social Studies (Social Sciences) requirements if it has the relevant breadth designation.
- Ethnic Studies
- U.S./European History
- Global Perspectives
Complete Liberal Studies Electives to total 40 Credits.
Program Structure
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program in art has four components:
- Liberal studies courses expose students to a broad range of academic disciplines. The university-wide General Education requirements also encourage this breadth of study.
- The Foundations Program requires six interrelated studio and aesthetics courses designed to prepare first-year students for further study in studio art and design.
- Aesthetics coursework gives students an opportunity to study both the history of art and contemporary developments in the visual arts.
- Major requirements permit in-depth studies of studio art. After taking courses in the Foundations area, students complete coursework in each of the four studio areas: 2D, 3D, 4D, and Graphics. BFA students are required to reach an advanced level in two studio disciplines.
Art Foundations Program
The Art Foundations Program is a series of interrelated studio and lecture courses to be taken by art and art education majors in their first year as preparation for further study in studio art and design. The program addresses the fundamentals of art through investigation of formal, technical and conceptual issues. The drawing, 2D and 3D design, digital media, and art historical lecture classes are designed to expose, broaden, and challenge students' understanding of contemporary art production.
Art Foundations classes are meant to be taken concurrently and the information covered in them is interrelated. Students completing the Foundations Program should enroll in ART 102 2D Foundations, ART 212 Drawing Foundations, and ART 108 Foundations of Contemporary Art for the fall semester and complete ART 104 3D Foundations, ART 107 Introduction to Digital Forms, and ART 208 Current Directions in Art in the spring.
Most freshman art majors complete their foundations courses through participation in the very popular Contemporary Art and Artists First-Year Interest Group (FIG), which also creates a network of corresponding experiences and a peer community that will continue throughout the program and often beyond graduation. Students in FIGs enjoy studying with instructors dedicated to serving first year students, the opportunity to integrate related ideas from all three classes, and the ready-made opportunities to form support networks and lasting friendships.
Additional information about the Foundations Program is available on the departmental website.
Aesthetics Requirements
The BFA programs require a total of 18 aesthetics credits, including four required courses. The remaining credits will be met by selecting from a list of aesthetics electives. Liberal studies coursework in fine arts and literature can also can count as aesthetics electives. Additional courses may be approved by the art department advisor.
Required Aesthetics Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 108 | Foundations of Contemporary Art (component of the Foundations Program) | 3 |
| ART 208 | Current Directions in Art (component of the Foundations Program) | 3 |
| Select two additional courses from the following: | 8 | |
| History of Western Art I: From Pyramids to Cathedrals | ||
| History of Western Art II: From Renaissance to Contemporary | ||
| Global Arts | ||
| History of Graphic Design and Typography 1 | ||
- 1
If taken prior to summer, 2018, ART 438 may count toward either the aesthetics or studio requirements, but not both. Effective summer, 2018, it may only count toward the aesthetics requirement. This course is designed for students pursuing graphic design.
Aesthetics Electives
Select from the following to complete the required 18 credits. Liberal studies coursework in fine arts and literature can also double count as aesthetics electives.
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN/FOLKLORE 210 | The African Storyteller | 3 |
| AFRICAN/AFROAMER/ANTHRO/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| AFRICAN/ASIAN/RELIG ST 370 | Islam: Religion and Culture | 4 |
| AFROAMER 151 | Introduction to Contemporary African American Society | 3 |
| AFROAMER 155 | They: Race in American Literature | 3 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 222 | Introduction to Black Women Writers | 3 |
| AFROAMER 231 | Introduction to African American History | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ART HIST 241 | Introduction to African Art and Architecture | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ART HIST 242 | Introduction to Afro-American Art | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ANTHRO/C&E SOC/GEOG/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI/SOC/SPANISH 260 | Latin America: An Introduction | 3-4 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 267 | Artistic/Cultural Images of Black Women | 3 |
| AFROAMER/AFRICAN/ANTHRO/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 323 | Gender, Race and Class: Women in U.S. History | 3 |
| AFROAMER/HIST SCI/MED HIST 523 | Race, American Medicine and Public Health | 3 |
| AFROAMER 631 | Colloquium in African American History | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ENGL 672 | Selected Topics in African American Literature | 3 |
| AFROAMER 673 | Selected Topics in African American Society | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 | Archaeology and the Prehistoric World | 3 |
| ANTHRO 104 | Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AFROAMER/C&E SOC/GEOG/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI/SOC/SPANISH 260 | Latin America: An Introduction | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO/AFRICAN/AFROAMER/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| ANTHRO 300 | Cultural Anthropology: Theory and Ethnography | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AMER IND 314 | Indians of North America | 3 |
| ANTHRO 321 | The Emergence of Human Culture | 3 |
| ANTHRO 391 | Bones for the Archaeologist | 3 |
| ANTHRO 424 | Historical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/LINGUIS 430 | Language and Culture | 3-4 |
| ART 236 | Bascom Course | 3 |
| All Art History courses | ||
| ASIAN AM 101 | Introduction to Asian American Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/SOC 220 | Ethnic Movements in the United States | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL 270 | A Survey of Asian American Literature | 3 |
| CLASSICS 322 | The Romans | 3 |
| COM ARTS 250 | Introduction to Contemporary Media | 3 |
| COM ARTS 260 | Communication and Human Behavior | 3 |
| COM ARTS 350 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS 351 | Television Industries | 3 |
| COM ARTS 354 | Film Genres | 3 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Film and TV Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 357 | History of the Animated Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS 358 | Documentary Film: Representation and Reality | 3 |
| COM ARTS 450 | Cultural History of Broadcasting | 3 |
| COM ARTS 454 | Critical Film Analysis | 3 |
| COMP LIT 201 | Introduction to Pre-Modern Literatures/Impact on the Modern World | 3 |
| COMP LIT 202 | Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Literature | 3 |
| COMP LIT 203 | Introduction to Cross-Cultural Literary Forms | 3 |
| COMP LIT 990 | Research and Thesis | 1-12 |
| DANCE 255 | Movement Composition for the Performing and Visual Arts | 2 |
| DANCE 265 | Dance History I: Dance in the Modern Era | 3 |
| ENGL 207 | Introduction to Creative Writing: Fiction and Poetry Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 236 | Bascom Course | 3 |
| ENGL/ASIAN AM 270 | A Survey of Asian American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL/HISTORY/RELIG ST 360 | Early Medieval England | 3 |
| ENGL 417 | History of the English Language | 3 |
| DS 221 | Person and Environment Interactions | 3 |
| DS 355 | History of Fashion, 1400-Present | 3 |
| DS 421 | History of Architecture and Interiors I: Antiquity through 18th Century | 3 |
| DS 422 | History of Architecture & Interiors II: 19th and 20th Centuries | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 100 | Introduction to Folklore | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/MUSIC 103 | Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/AFRICAN 210 | The African Storyteller | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 220 | The Folk Tale | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 230 | Introduction to American Folklore | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 320 | Folklore of Wisconsin | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/MEDIEVAL/RELIG ST/SCAND ST 342 | Nordic Mythology | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 460 | Folk Epics | 3 |
| GEN&WS 101 | Gender, Women, and Cultural Representation | 3 |
| GEN&WS 102 | Gender, Women, and Society in Global Perspective | 3 |
| GEN&WS/AFROAMER 222 | Introduction to Black Women Writers | 3 |
| HISTORY 101 | Amer Hist to the Civil War Era, the Origin & Growth of the U S | 4 |
| HISTORY 102 | American History, Civil War Era to the Present | 4 |
| HISTORY/CLASSICS 110 | The Ancient Mediterranean | 4 |
| HISTORY 115 | Medieval Europe 410-1500 | 4 |
| HISTORY 119 | Europe and the World, 1400-1815 | 4 |
| HISTORY 120 | Europe and the Modern World 1815 to the Present | 4 |
| HISTORY 142 | History of South Asia to the Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 200 | Historical Studies | 3 |
| HISTORY 201 | The Historian's Craft | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/INTL ST/LACIS 242 | Modern Latin America | 4 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN/GEOG/POLI SCI/SOC 244 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Vietnam to the Philippines | 4 |
| HISTORY/GEOG/POLI SCI/SLAVIC 253 | Russia: An Interdisciplinary Survey | 4 |
| HISTORY/AFROAMER/ANTHRO/C&E SOC/GEOG/LACIS/POLI SCI/SOC/SPANISH 260 | Latin America: An Introduction | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/AFRICAN/AFROAMER/ANTHRO/GEOG/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| HISTORY 302 | History of American Thought, 1859 to the Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 303 | A History of Greek Civilization | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/MEDIEVAL/RELIG ST 309 | The Crusades: Christianity and Islam | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 336 | Chinese Economic and Business History: From Silk to iPhones | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN 341 | History of Modern China, 1800-1949 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 344 | The Age of the American Revolution, 1763-1789 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/GEN&WS 353 | Women and Gender in the U.S. to 1870 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 359 | History of Europe Since 1945 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/ED POL 412 | History of American Education | 3 |
| HISTORY 418 | History of Russia | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 434 | American Foreign Relations, 1901 to the Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/CHICLA 435 | Colony, Nation, and Minority: The Puerto Ricans' World | 3 |
| HISTORY/ECON 466 | The American Economy Since 1865 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 500 | Reading Seminar in History | 3 |
| HISTORY/HIST SCI/MED HIST 508 | Health, Disease and Healing II | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/JOURN 560 | History of U.S. Media | 4 |
| HISTORY 600 | Advanced Seminar in History | 3 |
| HISTORY 680 | Honors Thesis Colloquium | 2 |
| HISTORY 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 1-3 |
| HISTORY 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 1-3 |
| HISTORY 690 | Thesis Colloquium | 2 |
| HISTORY 691 | Senior Thesis | 1-3 |
| HISTORY 692 | Senior Thesis | 1-3 |
| ILS 201 | Western Culture: Science, Technology, Philosophy I | 3 |
| ILS 202 | Western Culture: Science, Technology, Philosophy II | 3 |
| ILS 204 | Western Culture: Literature and the Arts II | 3-4 |
| ILS 205 | Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought I | 3 |
| ILS 206 | Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought II | 3 |
| LINGUIS 101 | Human Language | 3 |
| LITTRANS 202 | Survey of 19th and 20th Century Russian Literature in Translation II | 3 |
| LITTRANS/ENGL 223 | Vladimir Nabokov: Russian and American Writings | 3 |
| LITTRANS 234 | Soviet Life and Culture Through Literature and Art (from 1917) | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 236 | Bascom Course-In Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS/MEDIEVAL/RELIG ST 253 | Of Demons and Angels. Dante's Divine Comedy | 3 |
| LITTRANS 264 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 274 | In Translation: Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature-the 20th Century | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 275 | In Translation: The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS/GERMAN 276 | Special Topics in German and World Literature/s | 3 |
| LITTRANS/GERMAN/JEWISH 279 | Yiddish Literature and Culture in America | 3 |
| LITTRANS/THEATRE 335 | In Translation: The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 410 | In Translation: Special Topics in Italian Literature | 3 |
| JEWISH/GERMAN/LITTRANS 279 | Yiddish Literature and Culture in America | 3 |
| JEWISH/HEBR-MOD 301 | Introduction to Hebrew Literature | 3 |
| JOURN 201 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 4 |
| JOURN/HISTORY 560 | History of U.S. Media | 4 |
| JOURN 561 | Mass Communication and Society | 4 |
| MEDIEVAL/HISTORY/RELIG ST 309 | The Crusades: Christianity and Islam | 3-4 |
| MEDIEVAL/SCAND ST 408 | Intermediate Old Norse | 3 |
| MEDIEVAL/GERMAN 651 | Introduction to Middle High German | 3 |
| MUSIC 101 | The Musical Experience | 3 |
| MUSIC/FOLKLORE 103 | Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | 3 |
| MUSIC 105 | Storytelling on Stage: Introduction to Musical Theater and Opera | 3 |
| MUSIC 106 | The Symphony | 3 |
| MUSIC 113 | Music in Performance | 1 |
| MUSIC 211 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| PHILOS 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 341 | Contemporary Moral Issues | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 430 | History of Ancient Philosophy | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 432 | History of Modern Philosophy | 3-4 |
| PHYSICS 109 | Physics in the Arts | 3 |
| RELIG ST 361 | Early Christian Literature: Pauline Christianity | 3 |
| RELIG ST/AFRICAN/ASIAN 370 | Islam: Religion and Culture | 4 |
| SOC 125 | American Society: How It Really Works | 3-4 |
| THEATRE 327 | History of Costume for the Stage | 3 |
Major Requirements
The requirements listed here are effective for students admitted to the Art or BFA program effective summer, 2016. Students admitted prior to this time can find their major requirements listed in previous editions of the Undergraduate Catalog and on their DARS reports.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Program: Complete a minimum of 72 studio credits, including the specific coursework below. The BFA degree requires 126 total credits. Admission to the BFA program requires the completion of (or concurrent enrollment in) ART 102, ART 104, ART 107, ART 108, ART 208, ART 212, and one course in each of the 2D, 3D, 4D and graphics areas. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in their studio coursework to be considered for the BFA program and have attained a minimum of sophomore standing. Successful participation in a portfolio review is also part of the selection process. Application may be made during the semester that the required courses will be completed. See How to Get In for details about the application process.
Major residency requirement. The BFA program requires that at least 36 credits of major studio coursework be completed in residence at UW–Madison.
Art and BFA degree students have priority access to studio courses. Note: Some courses are offered for 3 or 4 credits; it is preferred that the course be taken for 4 credits.
Required Studio Foundations Courses
Complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 102 | 2D Foundations | 3 |
| ART 104 | 3D Foundations | 3 |
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 212 | Drawing Foundations | 3 |
Required Studio Breadth Courses
Select one course in each of the 2D, 3D, 4D, and Graphics areas. Students will also take ART 508 at least once and complete a 500-level or 600-level art studio course in at least two disciplines. BFA candidates are required to participate in an exhibit and concurrently enroll in a capstone course.
2D Studio
Select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 222 | Introduction to Painting | 3-4 |
| ART 232 | Life Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 242 | Watercolor I | 3-4 |
| ART 302 | Color | 4 |
| ART 312 | Intermediate Drawing I | 3-4 |
3D Studio
Select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 214 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| ART 224 | Ceramics I | 4 |
| ART 244 | Art Metal I | 3-4 |
| ART 334 | Wood Working | 3-4 |
| ART 343 | Metal Fabrication and Welding in Sculpture | 3-4 |
| ART 354 | Glassworking | 4 |
| ART 454 | Neon: Light as Sculpture | 4 |
4D Studio
Select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 309 | Digital Art and Code | 4 |
| ART 318 | Introduction to Video, Performance & Installation Art | 4 |
| ART 338 | Service Learning in Art | 2 |
| ART 409 | Digital Fabrication Studio | 4 |
| ART 428 | Digital Imaging Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| ART 470 | Special Topics in 4D Art | 3-4 |
| ART 521 | Installations and Environments | 4 |
| ART 531 | Screen Performance | 3-4 |
Graphics
Select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 306 | Relief Printmaking | 3-4 |
| ART 316 | Lithography | 4 |
| ART 326 | Etching | 4 |
| ART 336 | Serigraphy | 3-4 |
| ART 346 | Basic Graphic Design | 4 |
| ART 348 | Introduction to Digital Printmaking | 4 |
| ART 376 | Darkroom Photography | 4 |
| ART 446 | Artists' Books | 4 |
Art Colloquium
Complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 508 | Colloquium in Art (Students are encouraged to enroll in this visiting artist lecture series multiple times) | 1 |
Advanced Studio Requirement
Complete a 500-level or 600-level Art studio course in two disciplines. ART 508, ART 608, and ART 699 will not fulfill this requirement.
Exhibit Participation
BFA students must participate at least once in the department-sponsored exhibit, held in the spring semester. Requires concurrent enrollment in the professional practices/capstone course.
Professional Practices/Capstone Course
BFA students must enroll in this course during the required semester of participation in the department-sponsored exhibit. Currently, offered as ART 448 section 10; a unique course number will be forthcoming.
Elective Studio Courses
Select elective studio courses to reach the minimum of 72 credits.
Areas of Concentration
Although a specific emphasis is not required, students may wish to develop an area of interest within the requirements of the BFA program. Concentrations in multi-media, 2D studio, 3D studio, and printmaking are some of the available tracks listed on the art department's website. Students wishing to concentrate in graphic design should declare the Graphic Design Named Option when eligible.
GPA and Other Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
These requirements are based on UW–Madison coursework.
- 2.5 minimum cumulative grade point average. This may be modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule.
- Cumulative major grade point average: 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all major studio coursework.
- Upper-level major coursework: 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all upper-level major coursework (Art courses numbered 214 and above, excluding ART 236 Bascom Course and ART 338 Service Learning in Art).
- Major Residency: Students must complete at least 36 major credits while enrolled in residence on the UW–Madison campus.
- Senior Residency. Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UW–Madison campus, excluding retroactive credits and credits granted by examination.
- Total Credits: A minimum of 126 credits are required for graduation in the Art–BFA degree program.
Degree Audit (DARS)
UW–Madison uses “DARS” to document a student's progress toward the completion of their degree, including any additional majors and certificates. A DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) report shows all the requirements for completing a degree and, against courses that are planned or completed, shows the requirements that have been met, and those that are unmet. A report can offer suggestions about courses that may be taken to meet specific requirements and can assist in the academic planning and enrollment process. Students can access a DARS report in the Course Search & Enroll app or Student Center via My UW.
DARS also has a "what-if" function. This feature makes it possible to request a DARS report as if pursuing another program, major, or certificate. It is an excellent tool if considering a new or additional area of study. School of Education students in a pre-professional classification such as Pre-Elementary (PRE) or Pre-Kinesiology should request a "what if" DARS report of their professional program of interest. For example, Pre-Elementary Education (PRE) students will request Elementary Education K-9; Pre-Kinesiology (PKN) students will request the Kinesiology report. Minors have their own DARS programs and are run separately from the main degree audit.
More information (including tutorials) on how to request and read regular and what-if DARS reports is available under the Resources tab on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
DARS is not intended to replace student contact with academic advisors. It creates more time in an advising appointment to discuss course options, research opportunities, graduate school, or issues of personal interest or concern to students.
DARS is used as the document of record for degree program, major, and certificate completion in the School of Education.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn the fundamentals of art and design through investigation of form, technology and concept within a cohort of like-minded and diverse artists and designers.
- Develop skills in research, creative problem solving, and professional practices.
- Expand knowledge of historical, thematic, critical, and theoretical issues as a means of strengthening verbal and visual vocabulary.
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of distinct concepts and practices in two-dimensional media, three-dimensional media, four-dimensional media, printmaking, photography, or graphic design media.
- Demonstrate competency at an advanced level in at least two disciplines of student's choice. (Graphic design named options: one of the two disciplines must be in graphic design.)
Four-Year Plan
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Art - Sample Four-Year Plan
This four-year sample graduation plan is designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career; it does not establish a contractual agreement. Use it along with your DARS report, the Guide, and the Course Search and Enroll app to create a four-year plan reflecting your placement scores, incoming credits, and individual interests. Consult with your academic advisor(s) to develop a personalized plan of study and refer to the Guide for a complete list of requirements. You will likely revise your plan several times during your academic career here, based on your activities and changing academic interests.
A minimum of 126 credits are required. Six credits of liberal studies course work must be aesthetics-related and will count toward both liberal studies and aesthetics requirements.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring) | 3 |
| ART 108 | 3 | ART 208 | 3 |
| ART 102 | 3 | ART 104 | 3 |
| ART 212 | 3 | ART 107 | 3 |
| ART 508 | 1 | Additional Studio Elective (ART 508 recommended) | 1 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 2-5 | Liberal Studies course work | 2-5 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Aesthetics Elective | 4 | Aesthetics Elective | 4 |
| Two Art Studio Breadth courses from 2D, 3D, 4D or GR categories | 8 | Two Art Studio Breadth courses from 2D, 3D, 4D or GR categories | 8 |
| Additional Studio Elective (ART 508 recommended) | 1 | Communication B | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | Liberal Studies course work | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BFA Application | Art Studio Elective course work | 8 | |
| Art Studio Elective course work | 12 | Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 4 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 3 | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Area 1 Advanced Studio Elective | 4 | Participate in BFA Group Exhibition | |
| Studio Elective course work | 8 | Capstone Professional Practice Course | 2 |
| Additional Studio Elective (ART 508 recommended) | 1 | Area 2 Advanced Studio Elective | 4 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 3 | Additional Studio Electives | 2 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 5 | ||
| 16 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits 126 | |||
Advising and Careers
Art Department Advising
Students declared in the BS–Art or BFA–Art major (including graphic design named options), as well as potential transfers into art, will meet with the undergraduate art program advisor or through email via artadvising@education.wisc.edu.
Prospective freshmen and art studio/graphic design certificate students will meet with the prospective student and certificate advisor or through email via artadvising@education.wisc.edu.
Current Art majors can schedule an appointment online through the Starfish app in MyUW. Certificate students can also use the Starfish app to schedule an appointment. Students are also strongly encouraged to confer with an advisor in the School of Education Student Services office on a regular basis, see below.
School of Education Advising
Academic Advising in the School of Education
Dedicated to supporting and promoting student success, academic advisors are here to assist students with the adjustment to college, understanding their degree and career goals, and connecting them to resources. Advisors support prospective and current School of Education students in all programs through:
- Course selection
- Mentoring and advocacy for underrepresented and international students
- Understanding degree requirements and progression
- Interpreting academic policies
- Helping students recognize their strengths and suggesting ways to expand their skills
- Expanding learning through activities such as study abroad, volunteering/work/internship, and by assuming leadership roles
Advising appointments are available in person, virtually, or over the phone. Current students schedule appointments through the Starfish app in MyUW. Appointments can also be made by calling 608-262-1651, or in person in Room 139 Education Building.
Academic Dean Support staff are also here for you when facing academic or personal challenges. We provide undergraduate School of Education students support, problem-solving, advocacy, resources, and approve exceptions to policies.
Career Advising in the School of Education
Through individual appointments, events, courses, and online resources, the Career Center provides students and alumni with the tools needed to be successful in their career development.
Career and Internship Advisors are prepared to help students with:
- Exploration of career and academic pathways
- Resumes
- Cover letters
- Job/Internship search
- Interview preparation
- Mock interviews
- Graduate school search, applications and decisions
- Negotiating job or internship offers
- Professional networking
- Connecting with employers
Students are encouraged to meet with their Career and Internship Advisor early in their college experience to take full advantage of the resources and support available.
To make an appointment: log into Starfish from the MyUW dashboard.
For more information, visit the School of Education Career Center website or reach out at career-center@education.wisc.edu.
Information about common career pathways, ways to get involved and gain experience, and transferrable skills developed through this major can be found on the School of Education Career Center's Art Pathways webpage.
Wisconsin Experience
UW–Madison’s vision for the total student experience, the Wisconsin Experience, combines learning in and out of the classroom. Tied to the Wisconsin Idea and steeped in long-standing institutional values — the commitment to the truth, shared participation in decision-making, and service to local and global communities — the Wisconsin Experience describes how students develop and integrate these core values across their educational experience.
UW–Madison encourages students to mindfully engage in four core concepts throughout their time on campus: Empathy & Humility, Relentless Curiosity, Intellectual Confidence, and Purposeful Action.
Since its inception, the School of Education has embraced the concepts of the Wisconsin Experience, providing opportunities for students to learn in venues beyond the traditional classroom. Our students also independently seek out related activities and experiences, thus creating their own unique Wisconsin Experience.
Art and the Wisconsin Experience
The UW–Madison Art Department provides a wide range of opportunities for students on campus and beyond. Available resources include courses that connect with the community, job opportunities, the chance to show work, and the ability to manage campus student organizations.
Visiting Artists
The art department is unique in its ability to bring in weekly visiting artists through the Art Colloquium series. A professional national or international artist comes to campus to provide an artist’s talk, studio visits, and general conversation about art-making with students. Individual courses often bring in visiting artists throughout the semester to provide workshops on unique techniques from those who specialize in particular processes.
Career Advising and Internships
The School of Education Career Center has a designated advisor for art students who can provide connections with hourly campus employment, internships, and career options after graduation. Art advisors host informational town halls for students to learn best practices in art entrepreneurship, applying to graduate programs, and how to get involved in art student organizations. The BFA capstone course also provides detailed instruction in writing a resume, cover letter, grant proposals, residency applications, and portfolio websites.
Service Learning
The art department offers a two-credit Service Learning in the Arts course in which students examine community-based art practices and the roles artists play in fostering civic engagement and cultural development. In partnership with Madison-area art organizations, students apply service-learning principles by creating impactful projects that address identified community needs, integrating academic study with hands-on experience.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are an excellent opportunity for art majors to establish connections with working artists, host workshops for the community, and raise funds for travel. Fresh Hot Press (printmaking), AIGA (graphic design), Mad Gaffers (glassblowing), Mad Metals (Metals), and Art Club are just a few of the art-related options. Student organizations are led by undergraduates and graduate students, with several using fundraising throughout the year to attend national conferences. Overall, there are multiple ways for undergraduates to refine their professional and technical skills in relation to their future career goals in the arts through student organizations.
Exhibiting Artwork
It is important for any artist to consistently show their work, and the art department does its part to provide this professional development to our students. Undergraduates may reserve one of our three large-scale galleries to install and document their work for future exhibition submissions. During the department’s Fall Open House, art student organizations exhibit together in one of its premier galleries. In the spring term, the BFA capstone course culminates in a group exhibition across two galleries, where students develop skills in collaboration, exhibition planning, installation, and lighting. Faculty guide participating students to clearly articulate the concepts and intentions behind their exhibited work. The art department works with students in many ways to help promote their work and develop the skills necessary to establish a thriving career in the world of art.
Study Abroad
The art department designates the Santa Reparata Institute for Studio Art (SRISA) program as one that meets the department’s philosophy of teaching and learning for Art majors. Located in the heart of Florence, Italy, this English-speaking program allows students to explore the rich tradition of Italian Art and offers the most access to courses that can satisfy art program requirements. In the summer, two Art faculty lead UW City as Studio: Drawing in Portugal, a three-credit study abroad program. Through visual and drawing skills, students acquire immersive knowledge through their interaction with the city and its natural and built environments as a venue that functions as a “studio.”
Resources and Scholarships
Information related to scholarships, academic and career advising, study abroad opportunities, student well-being, and other resources for students in the School of Education can be found on the School's Resources page.