School of Art and Design

(770) 423-6139

The School of Art and Design offers programs of study in studio art, graphic communication, art education (P-12), and art history. In addition to a professional emphasis, the program is grounded in the liberal arts tradition. That students should be knowledgeable in a variety of disciplines, including the visual arts, is a key rationale for the activities and programs of the department. General department goals are to assist students in the acquisition of a broad understanding of the visual arts and to recognize artistic quality in their own personal expressions as well as in the work of others; to provide direct experiences in the visual arts for students, faculty, and the community through quality art exhibitions, lectures, and publications; and to provide professional training for individuals seeking careers in the visual arts.

All programs are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Cooperative study and internship programs are available through the school for students to gain work experience in conjunction with their academic training. Students are encouraged to expand their educational experience through participation in Visions, the student art guild, and by attending the numerous art exhibitions and lectures held throughout the academic year.

Degrees and Degree Requirements in the School of Art and Design

The School of Art and Design has three comprehensive undergraduate degree programs: the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art; the Bachelor of Science in Art Education; and the Bachelor of Arts in Art History.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art is a professional degree program. The BFA prepares students for a variety of art and art-related careers or graduate school by providing a thorough grounding in fundamental principles and techniques with opportunities for emphasis in one or more arts areas. This degree focuses on intensive work in art or design supported by a program of general studies. The BFA degree offers concentrations in (1) graphic communications, (2) drawing and painting, (3) photography (4) printmaking (5) sculpture, and (6) ceramics.

Bachelor of Science in Art Education

The Bachelor of Science in Art Education leads to teacher certification in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. This program is based on the Comprehensive Arts Education model with a curriculum that includes study in studio, art history, aesthetics and art criticism. The art education program is aligned with the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Standards for the Visual Arts, the Fine Arts Georgia Performance Standards, and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The program provides students with a broad foundation in general education, extensive study in art, and professional education and field experiences. All art and art education majors are required to take art and art history foundation course work in lower-division major requirements before taking upper-division art or art education courses. This degree is listed as Major in Art Education by the Bagwell College of Education and in the Professional Teacher Education Unit.

Bachelor of Arts in Art History

The Bachelor of Arts in Art History provides a broad-based background in the history of art in its social, technical, and philosophical contexts. Art history courses foster critical thinking through the analysis of cultural objects and visual images, through discussion of visual culture in its historical context, and through research assignments. The required Research Methodologies course critically evaluates current methodologies for understanding and interpreting art. The studio art requirements ensure that art history graduates possess an understanding of artistic practices and processes. The study of art history is interdisciplinary, and students will find that their studies in other fields such as history, philosophy, literature, psychology, and anthropology will support and inform work in the major. German and/or another applicable language are strongly recommended. Graduates may find employment in galleries, auction houses or museums, or pursue graduate work in art history or a related field. Art history is also a useful major for pre-law students and others preparing for professional schools.

School of Art and Design Admittance Requirements

Each program of study is a sequentially based curriculum beginning the first semester of the freshman year. Students who delay entering the major until completion of the General Education Core Curriculum may prolong their academic careers.

Entrance Portfolio

Study in visual arts studio courses may not be initiated until the student has been fully accepted by Kennesaw State University and the School of Art and Design as an art major or art interest major. All prospective art majors are required to complete an application form and submit a portfolio of their artwork. Admission to degree programs in the School of Art and Design is contingent upon portfolio review and acceptance by the department. Portfolio submission and review must take place before a student can proceed beyond ART 1100 and ART 1150. See the School of Art and Design admission application, portfolio content requirements and portfolio review deadline dates on the KSU School of Art and Design website, www.kennesaw.edu/visual_arts. Applications and portfolios are sent to the College of the Arts Admissions and Enrollment Office. Direct any additional questions about admission requirements to this office by calling 770-423-6614.

Students who do not have portfolios or students whose portfolios are not accepted can begin their art studies as an art interest student. They may take introductory art courses based on available space and resubmit their portfolios for review.

Transfer Admission

Students who wish to transfer into the School of Art and Design from another institution follow the same admissions procedure as all new students. Transfer credit for courses in studio art is evaluated by portfolio review. Students enrolling at KSU for a second degree in art must also apply and submit a portfolio for review.

Program Requirements

BFA Concentration Review Portfolio

Students must be admitted by an upper-level second portfolio review to a BFA concentration area. Students are admitted to a BFA concentration based on available concentration openings and the quality of the student’s submitted portfolio work. Refer to the department website and contact your concentration advisor for specific portfolio requirements and deadlines.

Change of Concentration

Students who wish to change their studio concentrations must resubmit a portfolio to the desired area of concentration and be accepted by that concentration area.

Dual Concentrations

Students electing a second concentration may use the Level I course of the second concentration as part of the distribution requirements. The other necessary courses in the second concentration may be placed as art electives in applicable cases for the first concentration. A second concentration may in some cases extend the degree beyond 123 credits. Students must follow the same process of portfolio submission and approval to be accepted into a second concentration.

Change of Degree Program

Students who wish to change degree programs in art must reapply and gain admission status to the new degree program.

Placement

The School of Art and Design holds the exclusive authority to determine appropriate admission level placement, credit evaluation of art courses in studio, art history, and art education.

Continuation in Program

All art students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.25 to remain in the program. Students falling below a 2.25 may have one semester to improve their GPA and continue; if they do not, they are permanently dismissed from the program. Students may not fall below a 2.25 twice; a second incidence will result in immediate and permanent dismissal from the program.

BFA in Studio Art majors must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their concentration areas. Falling below a 3.0 in the concentration or making one grade of “F” in the concentration area will result in dismissal from the concentration. Students dismissed from two concentrations may not continue in the BFA program.

BS in Art Education majors must have a 2.75 overall GPA in order to be admitted to the Teacher Training Program of the Bagwell College of Education and to remain in the degree program. Furthermore, two or more “D” or “F” grades after admission to teacher education will result in a review by the Admissions and Academic Standing Committee. For a complete list of other requirements for art education students, refer to Admission and Retention in Teacher Education under Bagwell College of Education in the Undergraduate Catalog.

All students must make timely and reasonable progress toward the degree. Non-enrollment or withdrawal from all classes for two or more consecutive semesters will require reapplication to the School of Art and Design.