Undergraduate programs

Many prominent Northwest artists, designers, and art historians began their professional careers by studying art at Portland State University. An even greater number of successful and productive people have used their training in the School of Art+Design as the basis for careers in commerce, industry, education, and a variety of creative fields. Serving a diverse student population, the school takes advantage of its geographical location in the heart of Portland, extending classroom activities into the city's vibrant cultural community.

The school offers the following undergraduate degree options: B.A., B.S. and Certificate in Art History, BFA in Art Practice, and BFA in Graphic Design. 

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Art Major and Minor Degree Requirements

Art History—B.A./B.S.

Art Practice—B.F.A.

Graphic Design—B.F.A.

Art History Certificate

Art History Minor

Creative Industries Minor

Design Management Minor

Drawing Painting Printmaking Minor

Graphic Design Minor

Photography Minor

Sculpture Minor

Time Arts Minor

Art Practice—B.F.A.

The BFA in Art Practice (121 credits) is a professional degree that provides students with knowledge and skills that will prepare them for careers as practicing artists and/or further pursuit of the Master of Fine Art degree. The competitive program offers a comprehensive education in visual art practices, applications, theories, and history, with an emphasis on trends in contemporary art. BFA students are required to research, develop, assemble, present, and defend a body of well conceived and executed work. Students interested in the BFA degree must submit a letter of intent and digital portfolio for review prior to the first term of study.

For the most up to date information on the BFA and how to apply please visit our website http://www.pdx.edu/art-design/bfa-art-practice/.

Degree Requirements

100-Level Courses

ArH 106Introduction to Visual Literacy

2

 

ArH 204History of Western Art

4

or

ArH 205History of Western Art

4

  

Art 101CORE: Surface

5

Art 102CORE: Space

5

Art 103CORE: Time

5

Art 104CORE: Digital Tools

2

Art 105CORE: Ideation

2

Art 131Introduction to Drawing I

4

Total Credit Hours:29

200-Level Courses

ArH 206History of Western Art

4

Art 230Introduction to Drawing II

4

 

Choose four of the following 4-credit courses (16 credits total):

ArH 291History of Animation

4

Art 227Introduction to Art and Social Practices

4

Art 250Life Drawing I

4

Art 255Two-dimensional Animation I

4

Art 256Three-dimensional Animation I

4

Art 257Introduction to Video Art

4

Art 260Black and White Photography

4

Art 261Digital Photography

4

Art 270Introduction to Printmaking: Relief

4

Art 271Introduction to Printmaking: Etching

4

Art 281Introduction to Painting

4

Art 282Introductory Level Painting Topics

4

Art 287Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing

4

Art 291Introduction to Sculpture

4

Art 292Topics in Basic Sculpture

4

Art 294Water Media

4

Art 295Sculpture: The Figure

4

Art 296Digital Drawing and Painting

4

Art 297Book Arts

4

Total Credit Hours:24

400-Level Courses

ArH 407Seminar

0-12

or

ArH 449Art History Methods

4

  

Art 439BFA Vertical Lab II: Collaboration and Presentation Strategies

4

Art 485Professional Practices for Artists

2

Art 496BFA Project I

4

Art 498BFA Project II

4

Art 499BFA Oral Review

2

 

Choose three of the following 4-credit courses (12 credits total):

Art 427Advanced Art and Social Practices

4

Art 450Life Drawing III

4

Art 455Time-Based Art Studio

4

Art 457Low Tech Cinema

4

Art 461Advanced Photography Studio

4

Art 462Professional Practices in Photography

4

Art 479Advanced Printmaking - Atelier Print

4

Art 487Advanced Jewelry and Metalsmithing

4

Art 490Advanced Painting

4

Art 491Advanced Painting Topics

4

Art 493Advanced Drawing Mixed Media

4

Art 494Advanced Sculpture

4

Art 495Advanced Sculpture Topics

4

Art 497A History of Art and Social Pracitice

4

Total Credit Hours:32

300-Level Courses

ArH 383Western Art in the 20th Century

4

or

ArH 384Western Art in the 20th Century

4

or

ArH 385Western Art in the 20th Century

4

  

Art 303Making and Meaning

4

or

One 4-credit advisor-approved 300-level Art Topics course

4

 

Art 330Critical Theories in Art I

4

or

ArH 398Contemporary Art

4

 

Art 336BFA: Research and Proposal

4

Art 339BFA Vertical Lab I: Collaboration and Presentation Strategies

4

 

Choose four of the following 4-credit courses (16 credits total):

Art 312Art in the Elementary School

4

Art 327Intermediate Art and Social Practices

4

Art 350Life Drawing II

4

Art 356Visual Storytelling

4

Art 357Intermediate Video

4

Art 358Video, Design & Community

4

Art 360Special Topics in Photography

4

Art 362Photographic Imaging

4

Art 365Digital Portfolios for Visual Artists

4

Art 370Topics in Printmaking Techniques

4

Art 371Intermediate Printmaking: Thematic Process

4

Art 373Intermediate Sculpture

4

Art 374Intermediate Sculpture Topics

4

Art 375Mold Making and Casting

4

Art 387Intermediate Jewelry and Metalsmithing

4

Art 388Welding and Fabrication

4

Art 389Metal Casting

4

Art 391Drawing Concepts

4

Art 392Intermediate Painting

4

Art 393Intermediate Painting Topics

4

Total Credit Hours:36

Total Credit Hours: 121