The Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in Studio Art offers an expansive educational experience and is designed to allow the greatest flexibility in customizing the degree program to meet individual goals and interests.
Studio art majors develop their intellect, perception, and creativity while engaged in the visual arts within the context of a universitywide undergraduate liberal arts curriculum. Studio art programs provide education and training for those wishing to become professional visual artists and designers, or to work in arts-related fields. While the objectives of study are not primarily vocational, students will acquire knowledge and skills that may lead to employment in arts-related fields such as teaching, design, communication arts, art therapy, gallery work, or museum administration. After completing a series of foundation courses, students are able to focus their coursework in one of seven media areas: ceramics, digital media (graphic design/digital arts/animation), drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture.
Admission into the Major
There is no admission process for the BA beyond general UA admission requirements.
Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students can declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.
Special Opportunities
The Department of Art and Art History operates the Sella-Granata Art Gallery that primarily features changing exhibitions of student work. Crimson Clay is a departmental student organization providing opportunities to present ceramics projects in the community and across the state. Declared majors in art and art history are able to compete for numerous merit-based departmental scholarships, which are awarded annually to returning students. Members of the faculty actively assist students with internship and project placement in design agencies, exhibition venues, public community projects, area museums, and the Alabama Art History Association. The department also maintains cooperative agreements with local art galleries and spaces which allow student exhibition possibilities.
Students earning the bachelor of arts (BA) degree with a major in studio art must complete all University, College and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following major requirements, all requirements for an approved minor and other sufficient credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
| Code and Title | Hours |
| ART 110 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 130 | 2D Design | 3 |
| ART 131 | 3D Design | 3 |
| ART 210 | Drawing II | 3 |
| 12 |
| 12 |
| 6 |
| 18 |
| |
| 6 |
| Survey of Art I | |
| Survey Of Art II | |
| Survey Of Art III | |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Hours | 42 |
Grade Point Average
A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. Please see the Grades and Grade Points section of this catalog for an explanation on grade point average calculations.
Upper-level Residency
A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.
Required Minor
This major requires the completion of a minor.
Additional Major Requirements
ARH 151 Intro to Visual Arts is not applicable to the major in studio art. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, College, major and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an adviser in the major department for academic planning and to be approved for registration each semester. College advisers are also available for additional assistance with minor, College and University requirements.
Studio art BA programs provide education and training for those wishing to become professional visual artists and designers, or to work in arts-related fields. While the objectives of study are not primarily vocational, students will acquire knowledge and skills that may lead to employment in arts-related fields such as teaching, design, communication arts, art therapy, gallery work, or museum administration.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Jobs might include professional artist, designer, artist assistant, curator, gallery director, arts administrator, or graphic designer.
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
art director, university faculty, studio photographer, videographer, gallery director, museum curator, K-12 art educator, art conservator, gallery artist, arts administrator
The Nick Saban sculpture at Bryant-Denny Stadium was created by a student in UA’s Department of Art and Art History undergraduate program.
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
