UD Major Finder

Curriculum Guide

Department Website

Career Services

The Department of Art believes that making art is an expansive process. The Department has a special responsibility to develop students' individual artistic practices as well as their critical understanding of art and design. Students will experience an atmosphere of diversity, discovery, experimentation, problem-solving, and creative thinking. The Department educates socially and culturally engaged artists and designers who comprehend and challenge definitions and assumptions with a wide spectrum of artistic production. AREA OF EMPHASIS AT DELAWARE The University of Delaware offers three different degree programs in art, reflecting the variety of career goals that students have and the particular emphasis they wish to focus on to express their creative abilities. Admission to the Department of Fine Arts and Visual Communications requires an application portfolio that is evaluated by a Faculty Review Committee. All accepted first-year students are initially admitted into the department’s BA degree. After the conclusion of the freshman year, students may apply to either of two professional Bachelor of Fine Arts BFA) programs or select the BA degree. Official entry into the BFA programs is based upon submission of a portfolio of work from the Foundation courses and other requirements which may include an essay of intent, faculty recommendations, and an interview. The two BFA options are Fine Arts and Visual Communications. The BFA in Fine Arts provides a cross disciplinary of experience between the fine arts disciplines (ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture). The BFA in Fine Arts is designed to familarize students with the tools, media, techniques, artistic influences and analysis needed to inspire and pursue their own self expression. The BFA in Visual Communications is a highly competitive program with controlled enrollment designed for students who specifically plan to enter advertising design, graphic design, applied photography, interactive media, or illustration. Students concentrate on acquiring the creative, technical, social, and organizational skills necessary to establish a career path in the commercial world. Students continuing in the BA degree will study a foreign language in addition to their studio work, providing the opportunity for a more broad-based exploration of the liberal arts.