The Department of Art and Art History offers the Major in Art, B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts) with two options of study: the Art Education concentration, and the Studio concentrations (see below). Both are considered professional degrees.

In the B.F.A. program, students across all concentrations follow a similar path, with a few variations depending on the focus area. During their first year, students dive into Foundations courses—exploring form and observation, time and structure, color and composition, materials and space, and global art history. In the second year, students begin to explore different concentration areas and get hands-on experience in dedicated, well-equipped studio spaces designed to support creative exploration. As juniors and seniors, students deepen their skills and ideas by taking upper-division courses in their chosen concentration each semester. Art education students also begin engaging in coursework that supports their development as future educators.

The Major in Art (B.F.A.), Art Education Concentration embraces the artist-teacher concept, providing our students with both a broad and focused studio background taught alongside professional education classes. Students engage in philosophical and theoretical studies, contemporary pedagogical practices, and arts-based research to prepare for the complexities of the K-12 art studio. Student teaching, field work, and service learning is expected and prepares students to enter a career as an art educator. We utilize the Professional Development School (PDS) model and our students are required to meet specific standards through the Center for Educator Preparation, ensuring a comprehensive and rigorous education. Our program enjoys good working relationships with school districts in the state of Colorado, providing our students with a network to advance their career in art education. 

Studio Concentrations

Each of the B.F.A. Studio concentrations provide a comprehensive, professional degree for Art B.F.A. majors that fosters research, exploration, and experimentation. Our students engage with diverse mediums and learn from expert practitioners. They examine global art across history, explore various forms of visual communication, and consider its impact on society. Through studio experiences, they build fundamental skills and master techniques essential for conveying meaning in their work. By integrating interdisciplinary study, project implementation, and hands-on practice, our students develop their own unique artistic voices through a balance of technical and conceptual learning.

Each of our Studio concentrations provide immersive studio experiences, where our students develop a comprehensive understanding of artistic processes and critical frameworks, gaining the skills needed to create and communicate compelling visual narratives. We offer:

Learning Objectives

Studio Art students will:

  • Develop a strong foundation in media and processes, empowering students to craft meaningful and expressive works of art.
  • Articulate their artistic vision and critically engage with the work of others, both in terms of content and visual form.
  • Cultivate a deep awareness of contemporary art, paired with the curiosity and drive to explore and discuss exhibitions at local, regional, and national levels.
  • Analyze and apply historical and cultural contexts, enriching their own creative practice with deeper meaning and connection.

From Studio to Career

The B.F.A. concentrations provide students with a wide range of desirable job skills, such as project management, problem solving, critical thinking, written and verbal communication skills, dynamic research, emotional intelligence, giving and receiving constructive criticism, and time management and organization, among many other skills important to employers. As part of the College of Liberal Arts, students in the Department of Art and Art History have access to career resources that help them create their future. We encourage our students to participate in internships, cooperative education, and service-learning opportunities to enrich their practical training and development.

Our students have gone on to a wide variety of careers, including:

  • Architectural Photographer
  • Art Director
  • Art Teacher
  • Brand Designer
  • Blacksmith
  • Commission Artist
  • Environmental Designer
  • Jewelry Designer
  • Printing Press Business Owner
  • Product Designer
  • Production Technician
  • Scene Illustrator
  • Storyboard Artist
  • User Experience and Information Architect (UX/UI)
  • Video Game Designer
  • Web Designer

Change or Add Major

To add or change your major to Art, you can either call the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center at 970-491-3117, or send them an email.