BS Portfolio Review
Portfolios are due March 13, 2023 by noon.
If you wish to be admitted to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, as an art major, a rigorous review of foundations course work will take place in early March of the first year. Acceptance into the BS degree does not guarantee acceptance into the BFA degree track in an emphasis area. Each emphasis area conducts its own BFA reviews annually, and in general, candidates must already have been admitted to the BS program. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance will take place before the beginning of priority registration (in April).
Portfolio Requirements
- Three examples of your best work from each foundations class (9 total): Art 1020, 1120, and 1130; Image requirements are 1080x1080, 1080x720, or 1080 in the longest dimension @ 72dpi.
- Three additional examples of your artwork (this can be work done for a class or independently).
- An unofficial transcript with first semester and mid-term grades for the second semester showing that you are on track to earn a minimum 2.75 GPA.
- A completed application form.
- A list with descriptions of all 12 artworks submitted including the course for which it was made (if applicable), the instructor's name, the assignment title, medium, size, and a brief description of the assignment or the artistic challenge and your solution.
Criteria for Evaluation
Faculty from across the department will review completed portfolios using a rubric that will be available to students and make recommendations for admission or non-admission based on how well you demonstrate:
- Technical ability and understanding of principles of art and design (portfolio)
- A strong work ethic and active commitment to learning (grades)
Required Courses
All students coded as undeclared-art (UND-ART), undeclared art education (UND-ART ED), or undeclared-interior design (UND-ID) must take a series of classes during their first year that we call "Foundations." You must earn at least a cumulative overall GPA of 2.75 in all the courses shown below:
| Course | Title | University Studies |
Offered | Credits | Required Min Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART 1020 | Drawing 1 | BCA | Fall | 3 | B- |
| ART 1120 | Two-Dimensional Design | Fall/Spring | 3 | B- | |
| ART 1130 | Three-Dimensional Design | Fall/Spring | 3 | B- | |
| ART 2710 | Survey of Western Art I | BHU | Fall | 3 | B- |
| ART 2720 | Survey of Western Art II | BHU | Spring | 3 | B- |
| ART 2XXX OR ID 1790 |
Core course in an emphasis area OR Interior Design Theory (ID only) | Fall/Spring (ID 1790 Spring) | 3 | B- |
Admission to BS Degree
Students who pass the review will be admitted into the Bachelor of Science in Art (BS-Art) degree pending review of final grades earned in spring classes. Those who pass the BS portfolio review and meet or exceed the minimum GPA and grade requirements may enroll in ART courses for the following FALL semester. Students admitted to the BS are encouraged to immediately begin working toward admission to the BFA program in the emphasis area of their choice. Students pursuing a BS degree have second-tier registration for ART classes, especially for advanced courses, and need to demonstrate ongoing progress toward their degree. Acceptance into the BS degree does not guarantee acceptance into the BFA degree in the emphasis area indicated on your application. BFA admission requires a separate review process.
For Those Not Admitted to the BS Degree
Students who do not pass the portfolio review on their first attempt may submit a revised portfolio for review during the following semester. Students not admitted to the BS degree program in Art + Design after two attempts cannot continue as Art majors. If you are not admitted, you may choose to declare a minor in Art: a minor requires successful completion of the foundations courses and one additional ART course (18 credits total). You will not be eligible to enroll in ART classes and you will not be able to reapply for the BS degree program in Art + Design. We encourage you to consult with the Exploratory Advising Program to find a suitable degree program.
Transfer Students
Transfer students with 60 or more transfer credits and/or an Associates Degree must submit a portfolio to the Department of Art + Design before being admitted. Portfolio's are reviewed twice a year by the Department of Art + Design; in October for admission for spring semester, and in March for admission for fall semester. Students should check the department website for specific dates and deadlines. Students should set up an appointment with the Art + Design advisor, Angela Neff, to discuss the criteria for the portfolio. Appointments can be made by going to Academic Advising. Click on Caine College of the Arts then click on Angela's name.
Transfer Student Portfolio:
For those transfer students who have not completed or enrolled in the foundations studio courses (Drawing I, 2-D Design, 3-D Design), your portfolio will consist of:
- Ten digital images (1080x1080, 1080x720 or 1080 in the longest dimension @72dpi) of artwork created in the last 3 years.
- At least two of these images MUST be representative of your ability to draw from life. These two drawings need to be produced from actual/direct observation (no photo references) of a subject; set up a still life, draw from a figure or an interior space.
List of Works:
A list with all of the following information for all 12 images:
- course for which the work was made (if applicable)
- title of the assignment (if applicable)
- medium
- size
- brief (1-2 sentence) description of the assignment, or describe the artistic challenge presented in the work and your solution
Download and complete the Fillable PDF Template and save.
Application process: how to edit photos and compile into a pdf