Curriculum and Course Descriptions

PORTFOLIO-INTENSIVE CURRICULUM FOR ART MAJORS

With only 120 credit students overall, SA+D is a highly collaborative community for art majors who have shared goals of transferring to top art colleges throughout the nation to complete their bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degrees on scholarship.

The SA+D degree program is designed specifically and excusively for this purpose; Therefore all coursework emphasizes portfolio preparation to meet transfer standards at top BFA programs. As an
SA+D student, your studio courses will consist only of SA+D art majors and you will take SA+D designated course sections.

The program at the School of Art + Design is rigorous. Through a learner-focused approach, we develop the technical, creative, and problem-solving skills that lay the groundwork for further study. SA+D graduates transfer to four-year institutions offering bachelor of fine arts degrees, usually with significant scholarship.

We focus on your success. In our innovative Core Academic Review Experience (CARE Program), students work closely with their assigned faculty mentor throughout their education to plan their curriculum and design their portfolios based on their transfer goals.

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First Year (Foundations Program)
The first year of study at the School of Art + Design is an intensive foundations program for both studio art and graphic design majors, with all courses required for all students. The curriculum covers the basic skills, concepts and theories that are fundamental for professionals in the visual arts, with a focus on practical applications in the studio and production of portfolio-caliber works. Art History helps students understand the evolution of the visual arts, and provides a context for contemporary practice. At the end of the foundation year, all SA+D degree students participate in a comprehensive portfolio review to provide critical feedback in preparation for the second year.

First Semester—Both Majors
AR 101 Introduction to Drawing
AR 103 Two-Dimensional Design
AR 105 Color Theory and Application
AR 107 Art History I
EN 101 Techniques of Reading and Writing
DS 107 First Year Seminar

Second Semester—Both Majors
AR 104 Three-Dimensional Design
AR 115 Figure Drawing I
AR 114 Intermediate Drawing
AR 108 Art History II
EN 102 Techniques of Reading Writing
Foundations Portfolio Review 

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Second Year
Second year course work provides deeper focus and concentration on the skills, technical acumen, critical thinking and problem-solving required of professional studio artists and graphic designers. Elective studio courses in printmaking, photography and other media, along with general education electives, provide additional opportunities for students to tailor their education to their interests and also the portfolio requirements of the BFA transfer institutions. This is referred to as the "Portfolio Year" due to the strong emphasis on preparing the portfolio for application to premier BFA programs across the nation for admission and scholarship. SA+D students are required to participate in a portfolio review, student exhibitions on and off campus, graphic design competitions and portfolio days, along with the SA+D Graduating Student Show in a private art gallery.

Third Semester—Studio Art Majors
AR 201 Painting I
AR 215 Figure Drawing II
Studio Elective*
AR 275 Professional Practice for the Visual Artist
Mathematics foundation
Behavioral/social science distribution
 
*Elective options should be discussed with your faculty mentor or the SA+D Director based upon transfer goals.

Fourth Semester—Studio Art Majors
AR 280A Studio Practicum: Drawing
AR 221 Sculpture I
AR285 Individualized Art WorkshopAR 203 Photographic Expressions I, AR 226 Monotype Workshop*
Humanities distribution
Natural sciences distribution
 

*Should be discussed with your faculty mentor or the SA+D Director based upon transfer goals.
 
 

Third Semester—Graphic Design Majors
GD110 Digital Tools for the Graphics Profession.
GD 210 Graphic Design I
GD 220 Typography I
AR 275 Professional Practice for the Visual Artist
Mathematics foundation
Behavioral/social science distribution

Fourth Semester—Graphic Design Majors
GD 211 Graphic Design II
GD 221 Typography II
Studio elective
Humanities distribution
Natural sciences distribution

*Elective options should be discussed with your faculty mentor or the SA+D Director based upon transfer goals. 

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