Program Overview
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art at Drake is a professional degree designed for students seeking an immersive and professional studio art education that prepares them for entry into the field or graduate study. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual development, critical visual thinking, and technical fluency through a process-based approach that supports individual expression and aesthetic growth. Students explore a range of traditional and contemporary materials and methods while cultivating the ability to integrate form, content, and technique in support of their artistic vision.
As students’ progress through the program, they cultivate a personal artistic philosophy while developing the skills and knowledge necessary to create original work across a diverse range of materials, methods, and conceptual frameworks.
The curriculum balances intensive studio practice with supportive coursework in art history, theory, and the liberal arts. They have the opportunity to focus their studies in areas such as drawing, painting, printmaking, or sculpture, while also gaining broad exposure to other studio disciplines through elective offerings. Advanced coursework encourages students to engage critically with the histories and conventions of their chosen media, while also merging ideas from across disciplines. Alternatively, the program's flexible structure supports interdisciplinary exploration and fosters an understanding of the relationships among fine arts fields, requiring students to demonstrate an exceptional commitment to their artistic practice. This program is ideal for those with a strong dedication to their craft and a desire to excel in the field of studio art. It is designed for those seeking preparation for careers in the visual arts or related creative industries, and it provides a strong foundation for graduate study in studio art.
B.F.A. Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art is a professional degree program emphasizing intensive studio engagement and the integration of theory, history, and practice. It provides a comprehensive foundation in design principles, media, and visual literacy, while fostering the ability to synthesize form, content, and technique to support a compelling artistic voice. Coursework spans traditional and contemporary practices, encouraging students to explore diverse aesthetic issues and develop competencies in drawing, design, and color across multiple media.
Students are expected to develop both breadth and depth in their artistic practice, gain familiarity with a wide range of artistic work and media, and have the option to pursue focused inquiry in one or more areas.
In the spring of their junior year, students participate in a formal B.F.A. review, where they present their work for feedback on progress, artistic development, and readiness for advanced study. The culminating experience is the Senior Studio Capstone, in which students produce and exhibit a cohesive body of work that demonstrates the depth, rigor, and evolution of each student’s creative work. The capstone includes a public thesis exhibition accompanied by a professional digital portfolio featuring an artist’s statement, photographic documentation of thesis work, and a written statement outlining future professional goals. This experience supports reflection, synthesis, and prepares students to articulate their creative vision and to transition confidently into practice in the visual arts or for graduate study in studio art.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ART 013 | 2-D DESIGN | 3 |
| ART 014 | CONSTRUCTING SPACE | 3 |
| ART 015 | OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING | 3 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (2-D ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (2-D ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (3-D ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (2-D or 3-D ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| | 3 |
| | 3 |
| | 3 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (STUDIO AREA ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (STUDIO AREA ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (STUDIO AREA ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (STUDIO AREA ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 175 | SENIOR STUDIO ART CAPSTONE I | 4 |
| ART 176 | SENIOR STUDIO ART CAPSTONE II | 4 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (SUPPORTIVE ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (SUPPORTIVE ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (SUPPORTIVE ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 0-- | ART LOWER DIVISION (SUPPORTIVE ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 075 | THEMES IN ART HISTORY | 4 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (ART HISTORY ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (ART HISTORY ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (ART HISTORY ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| ART 1-- | ART UPPER DIVISION (ART HISTORY ELECTIVE) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 78 |
In addition to requirements for all undergraduate degrees, which can be found in the “Graduation Requirements” area of the catalog, Art and Design students must meet the following requirements:
A student is placed on probation if either the cumulative grade-point average or the average in Department of Art and Design courses falls below 2.00 (a "C" average) during any semester in which a student has earned less than 30 total credit hours. A student may be placed on probation for failing to meet the University’s standards for satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements.
To continue progress toward a Department of Art and Design degree, a student must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average and a 2.5 GPA in the Department of Art and Design courses at the end of the academic term in which the student completes the 30th credit hour. For transfer students, the 30th-hour GPA must be based upon at least 15 credit hours earned at Drake. Students who achieve the 2.5 GPA at the 60th-hour level are placed on probation if their GPAs fall below 2.5 in a subsequent semester. If the GPA is not raised to 2.5 or better after the probationary semester, the student may not continue in the Department of Art and Design or re-enroll later.
In addition to programmatic requirements, students are responsible for satisfying all requirements of the Drake Curriculum, including Areas of Inquiry (AOI).
Student must also satisfy university graduation requirements for all undergraduate students.