visual_art_studies
Art and Art History

Undergraduate Visual Art Studies Program

Admission and Program Information Sessions and Portfolio Review Events

Instructions for Online Undergraduate Portfolio Submission

 

Download Degree Plan: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art Studies

Download Checklist: All-Level Art Teacher Certification Requirements (pdf)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art Studies degree features 33 hours of general education requirement (comprised of courses in Rhetoric, English, Government, History, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Natural Sciences), 6 hours fine art courses, 12 hours art history, 27 hours of studio art beyond the four prerequisite core foundation courses (12 hours), for a total of 39 studio art hours. Additionally, for Option 1: Art Teacher Certification, 18 hours of education and 12 hours of visual art studies courses are required. For Option 2: Community-Based Art Education, 30 hours of visual art studies courses are required. Total degree hours is 120.

Art educators believe that art is an essential component of all societies and that an education is not complete without knowledge of art’s history, purpose, function, and techniques. Further, art educators value art as an expressive medium for everyone.

Undergraduate students who pursue the B.F.A. in Visual Art Studies degree prepare to strengthen art education schools and communities through their coursework. Currently, there is a growing need for quality art teachers and programmers in schools and communities throughout the U.S. Preparation of art teachersand programers includes an understanding of art education history, philosophy, student development, teaching strategies, standards, objectives, and evaluation procedures. Field observations and practical classroom teaching are required of all students in our programs.

The purpose of the Visual Arts Studies/Art Education Area is to:

  1. prepare outstanding art teachers for public and private institutions where art is taught,
  2. strengthen the disciplines of art and teaching through scholarly research, and
  3. enhance community artistic experiences through ongoing public service.

To achieve these ends, the B.F.A. Visual Art Studies/All-Level Teacher Certification degree plan is designed to provide strong course content in visual art studies, studio art, art history, natural sciences and liberal arts. Most students in the program plan to teach and seek public school EC-12 art teacher certification; however, students can also work toward other related career options, such as working with or for community-based art education organizations, through completion of the degree.

The Community Art Program Administration (CAPA) option in the B.F.A. Visual Art Studies degree plan is designed to prepare students for teaching and working in art and cultural establishments in communities. The CAPA option is an alternative to the teacher certification degree plan offered in the Visual Art Studies program, and it is designed to furnish students in-depth knowledge in CAPA theory and practice. The coursework entails an exploration of CAPA histories, concepts, theories, studio art production processes, case studies, sites, audiences, and exemplary professional practices.

The CAPA option facilitates expertise on how to conduct meaningful art programming for children and adults within the community. Furthermore, students gain experiential knowledge in the processes and values of service and service-learning within communities. In preparing students for successful careers in v, they are placed in internship programs in well-recognized community art programs, cultural establishments, youth and adult development programs, for-profit and nonprofit art organizations, and local, State, and Federal art agencies. As interns, students acquire fundamental knowledge and skills needed to review and improve existing community art programs and organizations, they of conceiving, developing, and implementing for-profit and nonprofit art/art education initiatives in the community. During their internships, students learn about fundraising and arts management from practicing professionals.

As a result of their experiences in the v option, students develop personal teaching and community service philosophies, which they include in their professional portfolio. In addition, students develop an informed statement about the role of art, artists, and art educators in promoting engaged citizenship and community development. Also, students document their field activities, internship experiences, studio art production, and model CAPA projects.

Additional information on admissions, programs, and curriculum is included in this downloadable PDF document:
Undergraduate Admissions and Program Guide (pdf).

Related Web sites

Austin Area Region XIII Education Service Center (Alternative Certification Program)

College of Education – UT Austin (Educator Certification Information)

Educator Preparation Programs in Texas by Region

National Art Education Association

State Board of Educator Certification

Teacher Certification Offices in the U.S. (Information on teacher certification outside of Texas)

Texas Art Education Association

Texas Education Agency

TExES: Texas Educator Certification/Education Testing Service

Visual Arts Scholastic Event

 

Contacts

PROSPECTIVE FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS:

Prospective applicants should arrange an appointment in advance of visiting the department. Please see Visiting the Department for detailed information.

Shane Sullivan, Senior Program Coordinator
Undergraduate Programs, Recruitment, and Admissions

Email: comebackshane@mail.utexas.edu (Please allow 24 to 48 hour response time.)
Phone: 512-475-7718
Fax: 512-471-7801
Office: ART 3.340
Campus Mail Code: D1300

CURRENT AND FORMER UT AUSTIN STUDENTS;

Current or former UT Austin students should arrange an appointment in advance of visiting the department. Please see Visiting the Department for detailed information.

Ramey Guerra, Academic Advisor I
Art History Advising

Email: rameyguerra@mail.utexas.edu (Please allow 24 to 48 hour response time.)
Phone: 512-475-7718
Fax: 512-471-7801
Office: ART 3.334
Campus Mail Code: D1300

You may also contact the Undergraduate Office by writing to the following address:

Undergraduate Office
Department of Art and Art History
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station D1300
Austin, TX 78712-0337

Information Request Form

Self-Guided Tour Map (pdf)