Art - Fine Art (BFA)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Art and Design
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab.

Program Information

The Department of Art and Design, endowed as the Hite Institute of Art and Design, offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. The program is intended for professionally oriented art and design students and for those planning to pursue graduate study in the studio arts or leadership roles in graphic, interaction, interior, or product design. The BFA provides an opportunity for in-depth study in a chosen area. The program offers five tracks:

• Graphic Design
  Graphic designers shape systems of visual communication, translating complex ideas into clear, engaging, and culturally responsive forms across print, digital, and motion media. The track builds progressively from foundational principles to advanced applications including identity systems, packaging, editorial design, and integrated campaigns, preparing graduates for careers in branding agencies, publishing houses, nonprofit communications, and in-house creative teams.Graphic designers shape systems of visual communication, translating complex ideas into clear, engaging, and culturally responsive forms across print, digital, and motion media. The track builds progressively from foundational principles to advanced applications including identity systems, packaging, editorial design, and integrated campaigns, preparing graduates for careers in branding agencies, publishing houses, nonprofit communications, and in-house creative teams.
• Interaction Design
  Interaction designers create human-centered digital experiences by mapping user needs, structuring information, and prototyping interfaces that balance usability, accessibility, and delight across web, mobile, and emerging platforms. Graduates are prepared for careers as UX designers, product designers, service designers, and digital strategists.
• Interior Design
  Interior designers shape built environments by composing spatial relationships, selecting materials and finishes, and coordinating building systems to support human activity, accessibility, health, and wellbeing. The curriculum is designed to meet CIDA accreditation standards and prepares students for NCIDQ licensure pathways and careers in architectural firms, design-build practices, and facilities planning.
• Product Design
  Product designers create three-dimensional solutions by integrating form, materiality, ergonomics, and manufacturing systems to develop objects and services that meet human needs while addressing sustainability and production feasibility. The track maintains a formal partnership with the Speed School of Engineering, and graduates pursue careers in design consultancies, manufacturing firms, startups, and innovation labs.
• Studio Art
  Studio artists develop rigorous, in-depth creative practices across a range of media — including ceramics, drawing, glass, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video and sound, and special topics — working closely with a faculty mentor to build technical mastery and conceptual depth. The program culminates in a BFA Review and public exhibition, demonstrating readiness for professional practice. Graduates pursue careers as working artists, educators, and arts professionals, or go on to graduate study in the fine arts.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department. 

Degree Summary

¹

 Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.

²

To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed for all tracks, some hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements will require additional hours to complete the degree requirements.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Departmental Admission Requirements

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is intended for professionally oriented art and design students, as well as those preparing for graduate study or seeking leadership roles in studio art, graphic design, interior design, interaction design, or product design. The BFA provides depth and rigor within each student’s chosen track. Admission is selective, and enrollment may be limited.

Studio Art Track Admission

Admission to the BFA in Studio Art is competitive and requires submission of a portfolio, a written artist statement, a statement of intent, and a personal interview with Studio Art faculty. Students may apply after completing two to three semesters of studio coursework, including the Foundations courses (ART 105, 106, 107, 108) and at least one 300-level introductory course—and preferably a 500-level intermediate studio course—in their intended media with their prospective mentor.

Students begin in the BA in Art, Studio Art track to develop skills and build a strong portfolio in preparation for the BFA application.

Eligibility Requirements
To apply, students must:

• Be an admitted BA in Art, Studio Art track major and currently enrolled.
• Have completed 18–27 credit hours in ART, including Foundations courses, at least one 300-level introductory studio course, and preferably a 500-level course in their area of concentration.
• Be currently enrolled in studio courses.
• Have a minimum departmental GPA of 3.3 (ART, ARTH, DES) and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Application Requirements

• BFA Application Form (internal department application).
• Studio Faculty Interview.
• Digital Portfolio (PDF format) (10–15 images) showcasing a variety of work.
• Written Artist Statement (150–300 words) reflecting creative goals, influences, and artistic process.
• Statement of Intent (250–500 words) explaining why you wish to join the BFA program and how you qualify.
• Unofficial Transcript. 

Students interested in applying to the Studio Art BFA track must complete the internal department application. For instructions, contact the department at hite@louisville.edu.

Design Track Admission
Admission to the BFA Design tracks (Graphic Design, Interior Design, Interaction Design, Product Design) is selective.

Eligibility Requirements

• Incoming freshmen: Meet the required high school GPA (minimum 3.0; 3.3 preferred) and are admitted directly into their selected design track without an internal application.
• Current UofL students: Complete the Design Foundations courses and submit an internal department application. Students who have completed the ART Foundations must also submit a portfolio for review.
• Transfer students: Submit a portfolio of all relevant transfer coursework for admission consideration and complete an internal department application.

GPA Requirements

• Minimum departmental GPA: 3.3 (ART, ARTH, DES)
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0

Application Requirements

• BFA Application Form (internal department application) — for current and transfer students only.
• Portfolio Review (digital portfolio of relevant work).
• Additional documentation as requested by faculty.

For instructions on submitting the internal department application, contact the department at hite@louisville.edu.

BFA Candidacy

Studio Art: Upon admission to the BFA Program, the student and faculty mentor will complete and sign a BFA Student/Mentor Contract, which outlines expectations for academic progress, studio development, and timely advancement toward degree completion. If, at any point, the mentor determines that the student’s progress or ability to meet program requirements is unsatisfactory, the mentor may resign from their role. In such cases, the student must either secure a new mentor or return to the BA in Art, Studio Art track. If the student requests a new mentor and no faculty member agrees to serve in that capacity, the student will be returned to the BA in Art, Studio Art track.

Graphic, Interaction, Interior, and Product Design:  Upon admission to the BFA Design program, students are expected to follow the prescribed course sequence (flight plan), as courses are structured sequentially and build upon one another. The curriculum is designed to be completed over four years, and maintaining progress within this sequence is essential for timely degree completion. Students must remain enrolled full-time, and maintain access to required technology as specified by the department. Students who do not meet academic or program requirements may be transitioned to the BA in Art, Studio Art track.

Once admitted, all BFA candidates must:

• Maintain the required GPAs: 3.3 departmental / 3.0 cumulative.

• Understand that students who do not meet GPA requirements may be returned to the BA in Art, Studio Art track.

Additional requirements for Studio Art students:

• Meet with their mentor each semester to review progress, present portfolio work, and discuss short- and long-term goals. Mid-semester meetings are recommended, especially when the student is not enrolled in a course with their mentor.

Completion of the Degree
All BFA candidates must participate in the department’s Learning Outcomes Assessment:

• Studio Art: BFA Review one semester prior to graduation and participation in the BFA Exhibition during the final semester.
• Design Tracks: Participation in the professional portfolio review at the end of the professional practice course during the final semester.

General Education Requirements

*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above). Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

84 hours minimum Art/Art History total for Graphic Design track; 84 hours minimum total for Interaction Design track; 84 hours minimum total for Interior Design track; 84 hours minimum total for Product Design track; 81 hours minimum total for Studio Art track. At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.

A grade of C-minus or better is required in all 300, 400, and 500-level courses in the major.

¹

In addition to courses counting towards General Education; 6 hours must be at 300 level or above.

²

May be incorporated into other degree requirements.

³

Students in the Studio Art track will enroll in ART 105; students in the Design tracks will enroll in DES 105

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Students in the Studio Art track will enroll in ART 106; students in the Design tracks will enroll in DES 106.

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Students in the Studio Art track will enroll in ART 107; students in the Design tracks will enroll in DES 107.

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Fulfills General Education AH requirement. 

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Students in the Design tracks must take ARTH 270 as one of their 200 level survey requirements.

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Students who fulfill general education requirements with courses in the major or supporting courses may have electives. To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements may need to be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements may require additional hours to complete the degree requirements or decrease the listed electives.

Track Requirements

Track in Graphic Design 

Academic Plan Code(s): ART_BFACOA

Track in Interaction Design 

Academic Plan Code(s): ARTD_BFAID

Track in Interior Design 

Academic Plan Code(s): ART_BFAIAR

Track in Product Design 

Academic Plan Code(s): ARTD_BFAPD

Track in Studio Art

Academic Plan Code(s): ART_BFASTA

¹

Students in the Product Design track must complete 9 credit hours of Speed Engineering electives at the 100-level, selected from the following courses: ENGR 141, ENGR 142, ENGR 143, AE 121, AE 123.

²

Students in the Studio Art track must complete two ART 300-level studio courses selected from the following: ART 301, ART 305, ART 306, ART 311, ART 321, ART 331, ART 341, ART 351, ART 381, ART 383, ART 385, and ART 390. Courses at the 500 level may not be used to substitute for these 300-level requirements.

Flight Plan

Track in Graphic Design

Track in Interaction Design

Track in Interior Design

Track in Product Design

Track in Studio Art

¹

ARTH 270 is required for students in the BFA tracks in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design, and Product Design. 

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Students in the Studio Art track must complete two ART 300-level studio courses selected from the following: ART 301, 305, 306, 311, 321, 331, 341, 351, 381, 383, 385, and 390. Courses at the 500 level may not be used to substitute for these 300-level requirements.

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report or create a What-if report.

The BA in Art provides a broad liberal arts education with tracks in Studio Art and Art History, offering opportunities for artistic exploration and historical study. The BFA offers more intensive, specialized study in a specific studio art or design discipline and is intended for students pursuing professional careers or graduate study in art and design.

The BFA offers five tracks: Studio Art, Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design and Product Design. The Studio Art track allows students to concentrate in a particular artistic medium, while the four Design tracks provide specialized, professionally oriented curricula.

Students interested in the BFA Studio Art track must first enroll in the BA in Art, Studio Art track, and complete the prerequisites before applying. Qualified incoming freshmen may be selected for direct admission to a BFA Design track without submitting a departmental application. Current UofL students and transfer students seeking admission to a Design track must complete the required prerequisite coursework and departmental application process. Admission requirements and deadlines vary by track.

Current UofL students and transfer students applying to the BFA must have a minimum 3.3 departmental GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Studio Art applicants must submit a portfolio and complete a faculty mentor interview. Design applicants must complete the required prerequisite coursework, and portfolio review may be required depending on previously completed coursework. Qualified incoming freshmen may be selected for direct admission to a BFA Design track.

Students wishing to change BFA tracks must meet the admission requirements and complete the prerequisites for the new track. Admission to one BFA track does not automatically qualify a student for admission to another. Because the Design tracks follow prescribed course sequences, changing tracks may extend the time required to complete the degree. Students should consult with the Department of Art & Design to determine the appropriate application process and how changing tracks may affect their degree progress.

BFA students complete a culminating experience that demonstrates their artistic or design development. Studio Art students complete ART 597 Professional Development in Studio Arts, which includes a senior exhibition and faculty review. Design students complete a capstone course specific to their track: DES 522 Capstone Graphic Design, DES 542 Capstone Interaction Design, DES 562 Capstone Interior Design or DES 582 Capstone Product Design.