• Home
• Why WSU
• Academics & Majors
• Academic Offerings
• Research Opportunities
• Honors College
• Study Abroad
• Libraries
• Admission
• Scholarships & Finances
• Student Life & Housing
• Student Visits

• Admitted Students

Fine Arts

College of Liberal Arts

	QUICK JUMP
	Fine Arts
	Study Options
	Bachelor of Fine Arts
	Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts
	Careers in Fine Arts
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Contact Information

Fine Arts

The arts are vital to cultural expression; they enrich our lives while challenging and broadening our views of the world. The fine arts faculty foster an educational environment that encourages creativity, individual growth, and meaningful expression. We provide interdisciplinary approaches to the practice of art and the study of visual culture. At WSU students have the opportunity to put their ideas into form while becoming visually literate, historically grounded, and familiar with the diversity of arts and cultures worldwide. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of fine arts (majors in general studio and art history) Bachelor of arts Minor (art or art history) Master of fine arts • Available at: Pullman Tri-Cities and Vancouver (minor only)

Back to top

Study Options

The Department of Fine Arts provides a diversity of experiences in the visual arts: • Art history/visual culture • Ceramics • Digital media • Drawing • Painting • Photography • Printmaking • Sculpture Students interested in preparing for high school and primary-grade art teaching may pursue a B.A. or a B.F.A. degree for their subject matter preparation. However, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not offer a certification program in art education.

Back to top

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Requirements and Core Courses The bachelor of fine arts is a professionally oriented degree program. Certified B.F.A. majors select art courses in a major area of emphasis, broadly defined and allowing for interdisciplinary combinations within additional elective opportunities. At least 52 of the minimum 70 credit hours in fine arts must be in upper-division courses. Each student also prepares a written B.F.A. thesis and participates in a B.F.A. degree exhibition during the final semester of study. Students must also complete university graduation and general education requirements. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS • Complete the following course work:      FA 102—Visual Concepts I or FA 103—Visual Concepts II      FA 110—Drawing      FA 111—Figure Drawing      FA 320—Beginning Painting      FA 350—Sculpture      FA 201—World Art History I or FA 202— World Art History II • A 2.0 cumulative GPA in fine arts courses • CD/DVD portfolio and exhibit presentation of original art work REQUIRED CORE COURSES FA 102—Visual Concepts I FA 103—Visual Concepts II FA 110—Drawing FA 111—Figure Drawing FA 201—World Art History through 1450 FA 202—World Art History 1450 to Present FA 303—Modern Art–19th Century FA 304—Modern Art–20th Century FA 312—Advanced Drawing FA 320—Beginning Painting FA 350—Sculpture FA 493—Senior Exhibit FA 498—Contemporary Issues Seminar OTHER REQUIRED COURSES Major emphasis, FA 300/400 level—18 credits Fine Arts electives, FA 300/400 level—9 credits Writing in major—2 courses Note: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Back to top

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts

General Studio Option The bachelor of arts in fine arts degree program allows the flexibility to develop interdisciplinary combinations within a broad liberal arts degree. Students have opportunities to double major or earn a minor from another academic department. For the bachelor of arts, a total of at least 48 credit hours of fine arts is required; 30 of these credit hours must be in 300/400-level courses. Students must also complete University graduation and general education requirements. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS • The following course work:      FA 102—Visual Concepts I or FA 103—Visual Concepts II      FA 110—Drawing      FA 111—Figure Drawing      FA 320—Beginning Painting      FA 350—Sculpture      FA 201 or 202—World Art History I and II • A 2.0 cumulative GPA in fine arts courses REQUIRED CORE COURSES FA 102—Visual Concepts I FA 103—Visual Concepts II FA 110—Drawing FA 111—Figure Drawing FA 201—World Art History through 1450 FA 202—World Art History 1450 to Present FA 303—Modern Art–19th Century FA 304—Modern Art–20th Century FA 320—Beginning Painting FA 350—Sculpture FA 340—Ceramics or FA 351— Intermediate Sculpture OTHER REQUIRED COURSES Upper division FA electives—9 credits Writing in major—2 courses Art History Option The bachelor of arts in fine arts art history option offers a broad exposure to the history of the visual arts. Students begin with foundation survey courses, the History of World Art (FA 201 and FA 202), and then take upper-division courses to consider art from specific cultures and historical time periods. In these specialized courses, students gain familiarity with contextual issues concerning the production and consumption of art. They develop research and writing skills necessary to think critically about art and visual culture. Students are also introduced to basic aspects of studio production to enhance their visual skills and knowledge of material practices. Students complete their studies by writing a thesis paper and developing knowledge of one foreign language. Students must also complete University graduation and general education requirements. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FA 102—Visual Concepts I or FA 103—Visual Concepts II 9 hours from 200- or 300-level art history courses A 2.0 cumulative GPA in fine arts courses REQUIRED CORE COURSES Studio Courses (9 credit hours total): FA 102, FA 103, Studio Elective FA 201—World Art History through 1450 FA 202—World Art History 1450 to Present FA 303—Modern Art–19th Century FA 304—Modern Art–20th Century Non-Western Art History (3 credit hours) FA 408: Art History Thesis (3 credit hours) Art History Electives (21 credit hours) that include 2 [M] courses Foreign Language Requirement: Equivalent of two years at the college level in the same language, or demonstrated competency at that level. Note: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Back to top

Careers in Fine Arts

An undergraduate fine arts degree prepares students for rewarding careers in film, video or sound production, media and Web design, studio photography, public relations, public arts, nonprofit arts programs, and more. Some students earn advanced degrees after graduation to teach at the K-12 or college/university levels, or work in museums as curators.

Back to top

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Ten $500 scholarships are offered to first-year fine arts students through the Visual and Performing Arts scholarship program. The Department of Fine Arts offers the following scholarships to deserving juniors and seniors: the John Ludwig Scholarship, the Frances Drake Scholarship, and the Warren Scholarship. Approximately eight scholarships, ranging from $150-$1,000, are awarded each year. The Arthur Gibson Scholarship awards $1,000 to a promising sophomore, with the possibility of renewal. Fine arts majors also may apply for more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Liberal Arts. Students should complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure their eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and need-based financial aid.

Back to top

Contact Information

Department of Fine Arts

Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164-7450 509-335-8686

finearts@wsu.edu

Back to top

Strengths of the Program

• State-of-the-art facilities for metal and wood fabrication, ceramics, printmaking, black-and-white photography and digital media (two MAC labs).
• Studio faculty who are practicing artists and scholars, and exhibit regularly in the Northwest, nationally, and internationally.
• Art history faculty whose research engages relevant 21st century issues with an international breadth.
• WSU undergraduate students manage one of the department’s two galleries in Pullman and assist faculty with the Art Center on the Tri-Cities campus.
• Close relationship with the WSU Museum of Art, one of the top five museums in the Northwest, including annual faculty and MFA thesis exhibitions.
• The Forst Visiting Artist Endowment brings diverse artists to the Pullman campus for interactive residencies with students each semester.
• Opportunities for internships, study abroad, and personal interaction with faculty.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us