May 12, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Art, Studio Art Concentration, B.F.A.


Department of Art and Design  
615-898-2455
Nicholas Satinover, program coordinator
Nicholas.Satinover@mtsu.edu

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Art with a concentration in Studio Art is a professional degree designed for students pursuing careers as practicing artists or preparing for graduate study in art (M.F.A.). The program emphasizes intensive studio practice, critical inquiry, and professional development in a range of visual arts disciplines.

Students should consult their advisors each semester to plan their course of study.

Academic Map


Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Art, Studio Art, B.F.A., Academic Map   

Degree Requirements


True Blue Core (TBC) 41 hours
Major Requirements 79 hours*
     Foundation    21 hours
     Upper-Division Art History    6 hours
     Studio Art Concentration    27 hours
     Studio/Art Electives    18 hours
     Supporting Studio Course    3 hours
     Thesis Prep and Exhibition    4 hours
Electives 0-3 hours
TOTAL 120 hours

*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the True Blue Core curriculum. If courses for this program are also used to fulfill True Blue Core requirements, the number of elective hours may increase.

True Blue Core (41 hours)


True Blue Core (TBC)  requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in the Foundational Skills areas of Written Communication (WC), Information Literacy (Info Lit), Non-Written Communication (NWC), and Quantitative Literacy (Quant Lit). Knowledge Domains include Human Society and Social Relationships (HSSR), Scientific Literacy (Sci Lit), Creativity and Cultural Expression (CCE), and History and Civic Learning (HCL), which include Discovery and Explorations categories. Students must choose at least one course from each Discovery category.

The following courses required by the major meet True Blue Core requirements:

Major Requirements (79 hours)


Majors must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in the major.

Foundation (21 hours)


Studio Concentration (27 hours)


Select one course from each of the following areas (ceramics, painting, print media, and sculpture), and an additional five courses from among any of the options below.

Studio/Art Electives (18 hours)


  • Selected from 3000/4000-level courses in one or more of the following areas: art history, print media, ceramics, drawing, illustration (limit of one course), graphic design, interactive design, painting, sculpture, and studio workshop.

Supporting Studio Course (3 hours)


Thesis Prep and Exhibition (4 hours)


Electives (0-3 hours)


Studio Portfolio Review


Candidates for the B.F.A. degree with a Studio Art concentration must sign up for and submit representative samples of their coursework to a Studio Portfolio Review and appear in person to discuss their progress toward the B.F.A. This will take place at the first scheduled Studio Portfolio Review that is immediately prior to or immediately following the students’ successful completion of ART 1610 , ART 1620 , ART 1630 , ART 1640 , two art history courses, and four studio courses.

Transfer students who meet the criteria to undergo review (successful completion of ART 1610 , ART 1620 , ART 1630 , ART 1640 , ART 1650 , ART 1920 , ART 1930 , and 9 hours of Studio course work) will be evaluated by a committee of faculty; at which time they must pass the review or be directed to take further studio courses in order to meet the portfolio requirements and standards.

Curriculum: Art, Studio Art


Freshman Fall


 

Subtotal: 15 Hours


Freshman Spring


 

Subtotal: 15 Hours


 

Sophomore Fall


 

Subtotal: 15 Hours


Sophomore Spring


 

Subtotal: 15 Hours


 

Junior Fall


  • Scientific Literacy 4 credit hours
  • Studio courses 6 credit hours
  • Studio/Art elective 3 credit hours
  • Creativity and Cultural Expression 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 16 Hours


 

Junior Spring


  • Studio/Art elective 3 credit hours
  • Studio courses 6 credit hours
  • Scientific Literacy 4 credit hours
  • History and Civic Learning 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 16 Hours


Senior Fall


  • 3 credit hours
  • Studio course 3 credit hours
  • Studio/Art electives 3 credit hours
  • Upper-division Art history elective 3 credit hours
  • Creativity and Cultural Expression/Elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 15 Hours


 

Senior Spring


Subtotal: 13 Hours