About SOAD
History and Enrollment
With 700+ undergraduate students, 50+ graduate students, and approximately 50 faculty members, the School of Art and Design at East Carolina University is the largest art school in North Carolina and one of the largest in the Southeast. Students come from not only North Carolina, but from other states and several foreign countries. More than half of new freshman have had at least two years of art in high school while approximately forty percent have had three or more years.
The East Carolina University School of Art and Design has been an accredited, institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design since 1962. Forty continuous years of specialized accreditation has resulted in a rigorous curriculum with flexibility and practical applications. The School of Art and Design is currently accredited until the year 2013. It is the only such program in the state of North Carolina and one of approximately 220 across the United States. This recognition is the hallmark of the faculty's dedication to effective teaching and the creation of the professional artist.
Commitment
The School of Art and Design is dedicated to the idea that educating men and women in the visual arts constitutes a major responsibility in the total mission of higher education at East Carolina University. The curriculum in both the undergraduate and graduate programs encourages experimentation, the development of ideas, and problem solving in areas such as fine arts, applied arts, and art education and art history. The nearly fifty faculty and seven staff members believe that our graduates will make positive contributions to their communities and excel in their chosen professions.
Degrees and Curriculum
Undergraduate Degree Choices
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio
- Bachelor of Arts in Studio
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Art History
The School of Art and Design does not require a portfolio of artwork for admittance to the school as a freshman art student. After admittance to East Carolina University, based on general admission standards, all students who choose art are enrolled in the Foundation Program.
Curriculum
Candidates for the BA degree take three introductory level 'survey' courses in studio, whereas the BFA degree requires four surveys. These courses introduce students to the various concentrations available in the School.
Following the art history foundation courses, BFA studio students take two more art history courses, while the BA studio students take one additional course.
After completing the foundation courses with a minimum grade of "C", the specific survey course and at least Studio I in the desired concentration, the student is eligible to submit a portfolio of work to the faculty in that area. If the portfolio is approved, the student pursues advanced study--nine courses for the BFA, and four courses for the BA. If the portfolio is not acceptable the student may re-submit, pursue entry into an alternate concentration, or transfer to a major outside the School of Art and Design.
Art electives (6 courses for the BFA and 4 courses for the BA) provide additional broad studio experiences in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional media. The electives insure that students explore and experience artistic media in diverse areas.
The second portfolio review occurs for students in their senior year as they prepare for their required "senior show." The student's artwork must be juried by at least two faculty members. The campus and local community serve as hosts for many excellent shows celebrating the culmination of four hard years of intense artistic learning and expression.
