Degrees and Curriculum

Degrees

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

Graduate Degree Choices

Master's of Fine Arts in Studio
Master's of Art Education

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.

Degree Concentrations

Concentrations are offered in art education, painting and drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design, illustration, photography, textile design, fabric design, weaving design, wood design, metal design and animation/interactive design. Minimum degree requirement is 126 s.h. of credit.

Individual program areas require a portfolio review for acceptance into the area after the student has completed the survey course and at least one upper-level studio course but not more than four courses. Acceptance into the area by portfolio review is required for admittance into 4000-level painting courses and communication arts courses. Students submitting portfolios to communication arts concentrations must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6 in the survey and all studio art concentration courses attempted. Entrance is competitive and space is limited. Students not accepted into their preferred program or area of concentration should be prepared to seek alternative areas of concentration and/or degree programs. An approved senior show and slides of work exhibited are requirements for graduation.

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.