Fine Arts (BFA)

The BFA is a four-year studio intensive program in preparation for a career in the fine arts, design and/or related fields or pursuit of a master of fine arts degree. With few required courses or electives and a wide variety of media from which to choose, the BFA provides ample opportunity to explore and develop a strong personal vision in art.

Introductory courses focus on technique and conceptual context while building a solid grounding in art history and critical theory. Advanced students work on self-generated independent projects under the guidance and mentoring of individual faculty members. Emphasis in the last year is on the production of a professional quality portfolio of work.

Curriculum Requirements

The BFA requires a total of 128 units, including 96 units of fine art requirements.

In addition to the fine arts required courses, BFA students are encouraged to explore in greater depth an area of art in which they have an interest. Students should select electives based on their personal and professional goals and in consultation with academic advisers. Electives are typically clustered in a particular field, but may be spread across different areas.

Required Courses

FACS 150g Visual Culture and Literacy I Units: 4
FACS 250 Visual Culture and Literacy II Units: 4
FACS 350 Art Theory and Criticism Units: 4
FACS 450x Senior Seminar Units: 4
FADN 102 Design Fundamentals Units: 4
FADW 101 Introduction to Drawing: Studio Projects, Methods, Materials Units: 4
FASC 106 Sculpture I Units: 4

One course from the following:

AHIS 363m Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Contemporary Art Units: 4
AHIS 370g Modern Art III: 1940 to the Present Units: 4

Fine Arts electives:

Select 24 additional units from any 100–299 studio courses, no “x” classes

Select 40 additional units from any 300–499 studio courses

Total units: 96

General Education Requirements

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which together comprise the USC Core. See The USC Core and the General Education Program for more information.

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