Art, BA

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements:

• Minimum 121 Credit Hours
• Writing Intensive Course
• 30 Credit Hours of Residency Courses
• 9 Credits of Upper-Level Major Residency Courses
• Minimum G.P.A. in the Major: 2.67
• 30 Credit Hours of Upper-Level (300-400) Course Work

Program Major Requirements (60 Credit Hours):

General Education Requirements 40 CR

Written Communication:

• ENG 101 - College Writing  3 CR

Oral Communication:

• Any satisfactory course 3 CR*

Quantitative Literacy:

• Any satisfactory course 3 CR*

Computing Literacy:

• Any satisfactory course 3 CR*

Social Science:

• Any satisfactory course 3 CR*

Natural Science:

• Any satisfactory course 4 CR*

Information Literacy:

• Any satisfactory course 3 CR*

Critical Thinking:

• Any satisfactory course 3 CR*

Ethical Reasoning:

• Any satisfactory course 3 CR*

Cultural Perspectives: 

• ARH 375 - Art After 1945  3 CR

Writing Intensive:

• ARH 214W - Writing about Art / ENG 214W - Writing about Art  3 CR

Humanities:

• ENG 3XX or higher (except ENG 320W ) 3 CR

*These General Education courses are waivable for students with prior bachelor’s degree

Non asterisked (*) linked courses are required for this program

General Electives (21 Credit Hours):

Students must take 30 credits at the 300-level or higher. 

• Complete 21 credits of any 100-level or higher electives 21 CR no more than 9 credits may be designated as ART

General Education:

It is the intention of the University of Maine at Augusta that every degree graduate will be prepared to function in our society as an effective and informed citizen.  To this end, the faculty has designed a set of minimum expectations that students are expected to satisfy.  The aspirations are defined by core skills, competencies, and abilities as well as knowledge based learning experiences that are the grounds for the General Education Requirements.  To learn more, visit  www.uma.edu/academics/general-education/

Notes:

Portfolio Review Tips, Guidelines and Requirements

What is Portfolio Review?

A committee of Art faculty will come together and review portfolios of student work. The committee will determine if the student has a body of work that displays the craft, composition, and conceptual foundation needed to succeed in the advanced studio courses. All BA Studio candidates are required to pass portfolio review before taking any 300 ART/PHO level classes, except ART 315 and 330. Reviews typically take place at the end of the Fall and Spring semester. 

When should I submit work for review?

Work should be submitted immediately after a student has completed the 100-200 level art core: ARH 105 and 106, ART 111, ART 112, 113, 114, 115, and 215. A student may apply if their core will be completed at the end of that semester (Ex: If you are enrolled in Drawing II and ARH106 in the Spring, you may submit for the Spring review).  Your portfolio will not be reviewed if you have not completed or are currently enrolled in these courses. Transfer students with the equivalent of these courses should submit after their first semester at UMA.

What should I do before I submit?

All students are strongly encouraged to meet with both an advisor and an additional art faculty member to discuss their work and edit their portfolio before the review. Selecting quality work is a very important part of the process. Remember that many students will want to meet with faculty, so plan ahead and utilize office hours effectively.

What are the requirements?

1. A check sheet indicating the completion of the 100/200 level portion of the art core.
2. 5 monochromatic drawings, approximately 18” x 24”, that effectively address craft and composition. One of these drawings must be either figurative or a self-portrait.
3. 5 additional works in any media that effectively address craft, composition, and concept. Students are encouraged, but not required, to submit works from their proposed concentration. 3D work should be photographed from several points of view that show form and detail; dimensions should be listed in inches in the format of LxWxH. These images can be mounted on board or digitally submitted on disc as either clearly labeled JPEG or PowerPoint files.

*Note to transfer/returning students. At least 3 works must be completed within the last 3 years.    

How should the work be submitted?

All portfolios must be submitted digitally and in person. For the digital presentation, portfolios should be photographed, put into a Powerpoint or other digital image presentation, and then circulated to faculty at least one week before the review via email or Google Drive. At the review, students should arrive on time, prepared to talk about their work and artists they’re considering in the studio, and with their works ready to show to faculty. 

How will I know if my portfolio was approved? What happens if I don’t pass?

All students who submit work for review will receive a letter from the Coordinator of the Art department. The letter will contain an overview of the portfolio assessment. If the portfolio did not pass, areas that need improvement will be addressed in the letter. Students that do not pass should meet with a faculty representative who teaches in an area of suggested improvement. Together they can develop a strategy for improvement. Students may submit work for review up to three times.

Following the Portfolio Review, all students should make a one-hour appointment with the Art department Coordinator to map out a plan for completing their degree.