Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bring your creative vision to life
University of Idaho’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Studio Art and Design degree program is for aspiring artists and designers. You’ll strengthen your creative voice, refine your technical abilities and develop versatile, marketable skills through hands-on studio courses, real-world projects and networking with industry professionals. These experiences prepare you for a variety of careers in the arts. Graduate with a portfolio that showcases your abilities in a way that employers can’t refuse.
Why become an art and design major at U of I?
Discover what makes our B.F.A. in Studio Art and Design unique:
- Four-year professional degree: Graduate with a studio art and design degree that provides the foundation required for professional art and design careers.
- Personalized instruction: Experience close mentorship from expert faculty who are dedicated to your growth as an artist.
- Real-world experience: Interact with clients, participate in service-learning projects, and gain industry insights through collaboration with professional artists and designers through internships and networking opportunities.
- Art specializations: Personalize your degree by focusing on one area of emphasis, such as painting, graphic design, sculpture, printmaking, interaction design, experience design, ceramics or drawing.
- Senior Studio: Complete a year-long Senior Studio that ends in showcasing your personal work.
Unlock your potential with a studio art and design bachelor’s degree
U of I’s art and design degree might be right for you if you:
- Have strong skills or a broad-based knowledge of art or design.
- Work well with technology and find innovative solutions.
- Are curious, expressive and driven to master your craft.
- Took high school classes in humanities, languages and social sciences.
- Value collaboration and thrive in a supportive, creative environment.
Curriculum and courses
To graduate with a B.F.A. in Studio Art and Design, you’ll complete 120 required credits composed of U of I’s general requirements, studio courses, history/theory courses, critical writing and professional practices. Studio coursework emphasizes technical skills, creative thinking and professional preparation. The non-studio coursework rounds out the studio experiences and develops critical thinking that supports art and design practice.
The four-year art and design degree program also offers opportunities to customize your education with electives across art and design areas. Similar to lab work in STEM majors, you’ll spend time completing hands-on work in art and design studios, especially during your year-long Senior Studio.
Career outcomes
As an art and design major, you’ll graduate with a blend of creative, technical and problem-solving skills that employers across industries seek, from advertising to entertainment and education. You’ll also be ready for roles outside the traditional expectations for artists and designers — there are limitless opportunities in emerging areas like user experience, visual branding and digital media production.
Whether your passion lies in painting, graphic design, sculpture, drawing or another discipline, the studio art and design degree program empowers you to tailor your studies to align with your personal and professional goals.
The College of Art and Architecture (CAA) distributes more than $42,000 in scholarships each year, including art and design degree scholarships.
CAA’s Professional Fee directly supports essential resources such as design studios, specialized equipment, student groups and more. Fee costs are:
- All full-time students (10-20 credits) - $716.00 per semester
- Part-time undergraduate students (1-9 credits) - $72.00 per credit
- Part-time graduate students - $80.00 per credit (does not exceed $716)
Explore your passion for art and design while collaborating with your classmates, building new skills and gaining experience that you can put on your resume. Find a student group in the College of Art and Architecture where you belong:
- American Institute of Architecture Students
- American Institute of Graphic Artists
- American Society of Interior Designers
- Freedom by Design
- Integrated Designers, Educators, and Artists
- National Association of Educators of Art
- New World Design Build
- Student Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architecture
- Student Congress of Art & Architecture
- Tau Sigma Delta - Honor Society
- Virtual Design Society
- Visual Arts Community
Internships in studio art and design
CAA can connect you with internship opportunities with art non-profits, galleries, museums, private firms and more. Whether you’re curating exhibits, creating visual campaigns or contributing to public art initiatives, these internships allow you to apply your skills and build a strong professional portfolio.
Learn how to earn a bachelor’s degree in studio art and design from University of Idaho.
First-year admission
Begin your art and design journey with the pre-professional program, which focuses on foundational coursework during your first two years. Portfolio reviews are not required for admission into the pre-professional program, but you must meet U of I’s general admission requirements.
Second-year admission
Apply to the professional B.F.A. in Studio Art and Design program during your sophomore year. This includes a Second Year Bachelor of Fine Arts Review, where you submit your portfolio for evaluation. Portfolio reviews occur mid-semester in the fall and spring. You’ll become a part of the professional program once you successfully complete your Second Year Review.
Note: Students may reapply for entry twice. Students accepted must maintain a minimum institutional GPA of 2.75 and receive a grade of C or better in all 300-400-level art courses. Students accepted into the professional program must complete 15 credits of 300-level studio courses with at least 6 of the 15 credits in one sequential studio area and 6 credits of art history before registration in ART 490 and ART 495.
Second Year Review Application »
Senior-entry admission
In order to take the Senior Experience Coursework — Art 490 BFA Art/Design Studio and Art 495 BFA Senior Thesis — you must submit your work for Senior Entry Review during your junior year. Portfolio reviews occur mid-semester in the fall and spring.
Note: If an application is unsuccessful, students may reapply for entry during the following semester review.
Ready to apply?
Request more information about studio art and design.
Have questions?
It’s time to make your mark in art and design. Let us help you get started at University of Idaho — contact us today about the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Design program.