2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog School of Art

FineArts.IllinoisState.edu/Art

Admission/Retention Requirements

Students seeking admission to the major in Art must meet the criteria established by the School of Art including submission of a portfolio for review. Specific portfolio requirements may be obtained from the School office.

All incoming undergraduate students are initially enrolled in the B.A. or B.S. degree programs based on their majors and interests. Those interested in the B.F.A. programs may first apply during their sophomore year.

To graduate with a major in Art (B.A., B.S., or B.F.A.) students complete all requirements in one of the School of Art sequences: Studio Arts, Graphic Design, Art History, or Art Teacher Education.

Grades of C or better and a 2.50 GPA in all courses taken in the School of Art are required, in addition to maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. Some sequences, including the B.F.A. programs, have higher GPA requirements. Students not meeting these criteria will be placed on probation with the School of Art.

Students may enroll for the next course in a related series after the minimum grade in the prerequisite course is achieved.

Incoming transfer students must retake courses considered equivalents to those in the major for which they earned lower than a grade of C.

Attendance and Participation

Regular class attendance and consistent participation in art courses are required and will significantly impact grade outcomes and graduation goals.

Course Finder

Honors in Art

Art majors and B.F.A. candidates with superior academic records are invited to apply for admission to the School of Art Honors Program. Students successfully completing the Honors Program will receive the designation of Honors in Art in their field of study upon graduation. The student’s official academic transcript and diploma will be so noted.

For more information on Honors in Art, including admission and retention standards, please visit the Honors website.

Art Program

Degrees Offered: B.A., B.S., B.F.A.

Major in Art (B.A., B.S.)

Students in the Art major must complete one of the following sequences: Studio Arts, Graphic Design, Art History, Art Teacher Education.

Studio Arts Sequence

The Studio Arts Sequence emphasizes both breadth and depth of competence in Studio-based Art disciplines. It expands students’ horizons beyond the Foundations level with work in a variety of media and disciplines. By requiring intensive study, it develops depth within at least one Studio Discipline Area through the completion of a specific series of courses. It likewise encourages exploration of new genres that break through traditional boundaries between disciplines and media. This sequence prepares students to work as visual arts professionals or pursue graduate studies.

Admission and continuation in the B.A./B.S. sequence requires a minimum 2.50 major and 2.00 cumulative GPA.
 Students select a discipline from the following areas: Ceramics, Drawing, Expanded Media, Glass, Intaglio, Lithography, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, or Video.

View Ceramics Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Drawing Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Expanded Media Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Glass Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Intaglio Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Lithography Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Metalwork and Jewelry Design Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Painting Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Photography Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Sculpture Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Video Discipline Area Course Requirements

View Wood/Metal Design Discipline Area Course Requirements

Graphic Design Sequence

Students in the Graphic Design sequence develop an understanding of topics such as design research, branding and identity, information design, typography, book arts, interactive design, image making, time-based narratives, multicultural design, and civic engagement. In addition, students may gain professional experience in a graphic design internship. Internships will require a competitive portfolio review.

Admission and continuation in the B.A./B.S. sequence requires a minimum 2.50 major and cumulative GPA.

View Graphic Design Sequence Course Requirements

Art History Sequence

The Art History Sequence provides students a solid grounding in the history of art on both introductory and advanced levels. In addition, the sequence includes exposure to related disciplines outside the visual arts, training in foreign language, and experience in advanced research and writing skills. Together, these requirements prepare students for effective graduate work in Art History or other fields and for positions in a variety of art- and non-art-related fields.

In special circumstances, students may satisfy the Art History language requirement with a language or languages other than “French, German, Italian or Spanish.” In such cases, the language(s) must be appropriate to the student’s plan of study and career goals. Alternate plans of language study must be approved by the Art History faculty in order to receive credit toward the sequence.

It is recommended that students select electives in courses related to Art History offered by the following departments/schools: Anthropology; English; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; History; Music; Philosophy; Theatre and Dance. Students are encouraged to consult with the Art History faculty for advice on choosing electives in Art History and other departments that will complement their own areas of interests. Faculty are also available for consultation on preparing for graduate school.

Students may combine Art History and Studio by declaring a second Sequence in Studio Arts and fulfilling all requirements for both sequences. This will include submitting a portfolio of artwork for admission.
 Admission to the Art History sequence requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and grades of B or better in Art 155 and Art 156. Continuation in the sequence requires a minimum major and cumulative GPA of 2.50.

View Art History Sequence Course Requirements

Art Teacher Education Sequence

The Art Teacher Education Sequence is a program that emphasizes a comprehensive approach that supports state and national student learning standards and teaching performance standards in the visual arts. Also stressed are creative and critical thinking, studio techniques, understanding the learner and developing skills to become an effective teacher. Students completing this sequence are eligible to apply for teaching licensure with a K-12 endorsement for teaching art in the State of Illinois.

All Art Teacher Education majors planning to become licensed teachers must apply for and be admitted to the University Teacher Education program.
 Grades of C or better in all Art and Education courses and a 2.50 major and cumulative GPA are required for admission and retention. Continuation in the sequence includes regular evaluation of student performance.

Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education

View Art Teacher Education Sequence Course Requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts Program

Degree Offered: B.F.A.

Major in Art (B.F.A.)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree program is a highly selective program oriented towards advanced professional study in the studio arts or graphic design. Students accepted into this program have additional opportunities beyond those of the B.A./B.S. programs to specialize in a particular studio art discipline or graphic design in preparation for graduate study for the M.F.A., the terminal degree in this field, and careers in professional art or graphic design fields. Further information on the B.F.A. program can be found in the School of Art office.

Studio Arts Sequence

Students may first apply to the program during their sophomore year. Admission requires a minimum major and cumulative 3.00 GPA and submission of a portfolio of creative work for a competitive review. Continuation and graduation in the sequence require a major and cumulative 3.00 GPA.

Sequence requirements include organization and presentation of student’s artwork in a solo exhibition including a public artist talk, an exit portfolio with a written supportive statement, and approval of faculty mentors.

View Studio Arts (B.F.A.) Sequence Course Requirements

Graphic Design Sequence

Students may first apply to the program during their sophomore year. Admission requires a minimum major and cumulative 3.00 GPA and submission of a portfolio of graphic design work for a competitive review. Continuation and graduation in the sequence require a major and cumulative 3.00 GPA. If a student’s GPA falls below 3.00 or they earn less than a passing grade in a required design course, they may continue their graphic design studies with the B.A. or B.S. degree.

Sequence requirements include organization and participation in a group exhibition of senior B.F.A. students.

View Graphic Design (B.F.A.) Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in Art History

Grades of C or better and a 2.50 GPA in all courses taken in the School of Art are required, in addition to maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.
 Students not meeting these criteria will be placed on probation with the School of Art.
 Students may enroll for the next course in a related series after the minimum grade in the prerequisite course is achieved.
 Incoming transfer students must retake courses considered equivalents to those in the minor for which they earned lower than a grade of C.

24 total hours required
12 hours Art History Foundations

Students are strongly encouraged to complete ART 155 and ART 156 before registering in 200-level coursework. 

6 hours of electives in 200-level Art History courses, from the following

6 hours of electives in 300-level Art History courses from the following

Interdisciplinary Minors

The School of Art contributes to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. For more information on the Interdisciplinary Studies Program, refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program section.