Undergraduate programs
The Department of Art offers nine majors that lead to the bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree. In your first year you complete our foundation program, a prerequisite for all B.F.A. programs in the department. Select a program from below to learn more.
Art education
The art education program emphasizes the studio arts as an exploration of the ideas, materials, and aesthetics through which we shape meanings, negotiate identity, and organize society. You will obtain an expertise in the development of arts-based and design-oriented curricula linked to national and New York State learning standards for the visual arts and promote multiliteracies, inclusivity, critical inquiry, and social responsibility.
Ceramics
Our bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree program in ceramics helps you become a professional ceramist. We encourage you to explore several directions: pottery, sculpture, tile mosaics, and other areas as you focus on the specialty that interests you most.
Fiber and textile arts
Fiber and textile arts* offers a multi-faceted program of study, allowing you to explore a wide range of possibilities within fibers and textiles. The program emerges from the philosophy that textiles and fibers are an ever-changing medium that connects humans globally as well as over time through fine art and design traditions.
History of art
The bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree program in history of art is intended for students who have a strong interest in art history and studio art. Through a broad range of courses, you will examine art as an expression of experience in different periods and cultures and will develop your research and writing skills.
Illustration
Illustrators arouse curiosity, stimulate interest, tell stories, and illuminate issues. Our bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree program balances imagination and individual expression with continual refinement of skills in drawing, painting, design, and research.
Jewelry and metalsmithing
Our bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree program in jewelry and metalsmithing teaches you to produce artworks in such precious metals as gold and silver; nonprecious metals, including aluminum, bronze, brass, and pewter; and nonmetal materials. You may create jewelry, hollowware, flatware, and small sculpture.
Painting
Our bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree program in painting emphasizes individuality of artistic expression. We encourage you to experiment in new directions and to remain open to innovative ideas and approaches as you develop your own unique style.
Printmaking
The printmaking program offers students the opportunity for concentrated study through studio work in relief, intaglio, lithography, silkscreen, letterpress printing, hand papermaking, and book arts. Students learn both traditional printmaking skills and new technologies that combine digital applications and mixed media.
Sculpture
The sculpture program is focused on three-dimensional experimentation with form and idea, material and technique. In our bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) program, you are encouraged to cross boundaries as you explore concept, form, and space. Opportunities are available for working in all media, from the traditional to the contemporary and beyond.
Your first year
The School of Art and Design offers a foundation program in its Department of Foundation that is a prerequisite for the bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree programs in the Department of Art and Design as well as the Department of Design's bachelor of industrial design (B.I.D.) degree program in industrial and interaction design.
