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.
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
200-Level Courses
| ArH 206 | History of Western Art | 4 |
| Art 230 | Introduction to Drawing II | 4 |
| | | |
| | Choose four of the following 4-credit courses (16 credits total): | |
| ArH 291 | History of Animation | 4 |
| Art 227 | Introduction to Art and Social Practices | 4 |
| Art 250 | Life Drawing I | 4 |
| Art 255 | Two-dimensional Animation I | 4 |
| Art 256 | Three-dimensional Animation I | 4 |
| Art 257 | Introduction to Video Art | 4 |
| Art 260 | Black and White Photography | 4 |
| Art 261 | Digital Photography | 4 |
| Art 270 | Introduction to Printmaking: Relief | 4 |
| Art 271 | Introduction to Printmaking: Etching | 4 |
| Art 281 | Introduction to Painting | 4 |
| Art 282 | Introductory Level Painting Topics | 4 |
| Art 287 | Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing | 4 |
| Art 291 | Introduction to Sculpture | 4 |
| Art 292 | Topics in Basic Sculpture | 4 |
| Art 294 | Water Media | 4 |
| Art 295 | Sculpture: The Figure | 4 |
| Art 296 | Digital Drawing and Painting | 4 |
| Art 297 | Book Arts | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
400-Level Courses
| ArH 407 | Seminar | 0-12 |
| | or | |
| ArH 449 | Art History Methods | 4 |
| | | |
| Art 439 | BFA Vertical Lab II: Collaboration and Presentation Strategies | 4 |
| Art 485 | Professional Practices for Artists | 2 |
| Art 496 | BFA Project I | 4 |
| Art 498 | BFA Project II | 4 |
| Art 499 | BFA Oral Review | 2 |
| | | |
| | Choose three of the following 4-credit courses (12 credits total): | |
| Art 427 | Advanced Art and Social Practices | 4 |
| Art 450 | Life Drawing III | 4 |
| Art 455 | Time-Based Art Studio | 4 |
| Art 457 | Low Tech Cinema | 4 |
| Art 461 | Advanced Photography Studio | 4 |
| Art 462 | Professional Practices in Photography | 4 |
| Art 479 | Advanced Printmaking - Atelier Print | 4 |
| Art 487 | Advanced Jewelry and Metalsmithing | 4 |
| Art 490 | Advanced Painting | 4 |
| Art 491 | Advanced Painting Topics | 4 |
| Art 493 | Advanced Drawing Mixed Media | 4 |
| Art 494 | Advanced Sculpture | 4 |
| Art 495 | Advanced Sculpture Topics | 4 |
| Art 497 | A History of Art and Social Pracitice | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 32 |
300-Level Courses
| ArH 383 | Western Art in the 20th Century | 4 |
| | or | |
| ArH 384 | Western Art in the 20th Century | 4 |
| | or | |
| ArH 385 | Western Art in the 20th Century | 4 |
| | | |
| Art 303 | Making and Meaning | 4 |
| | or | |
| | One 4-credit advisor-approved 300-level Art Topics course | 4 |
| | | |
| Art 330 | Critical Theories in Art I | 4 |
| | or | |
| ArH 398 | Contemporary Art | 4 |
| | | |
| Art 336 | BFA: Research and Proposal | 4 |
| Art 339 | BFA Vertical Lab I: Collaboration and Presentation Strategies | 4 |
| | | |
| | Choose four of the following 4-credit courses (16 credits total): | |
| Art 312 | Art in the Elementary School | 4 |
| Art 327 | Intermediate Art and Social Practices | 4 |
| Art 350 | Life Drawing II | 4 |
| Art 356 | Visual Storytelling | 4 |
| Art 357 | Intermediate Video | 4 |
| Art 358 | Video, Design & Community | 4 |
| Art 360 | Special Topics in Photography | 4 |
| Art 362 | Photographic Imaging | 4 |
| Art 365 | Digital Portfolios for Visual Artists | 4 |
| Art 370 | Topics in Printmaking Techniques | 4 |
| Art 371 | Intermediate Printmaking: Thematic Process | 4 |
| Art 373 | Intermediate Sculpture | 4 |
| Art 374 | Intermediate Sculpture Topics | 4 |
| Art 375 | Mold Making and Casting | 4 |
| Art 387 | Intermediate Jewelry and Metalsmithing | 4 |
| Art 388 | Welding and Fabrication | 4 |
| Art 389 | Metal Casting | 4 |
| Art 391 | Drawing Concepts | 4 |
| Art 392 | Intermediate Painting | 4 |
| Art 393 | Intermediate Painting Topics | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Total Credit Hours: 121