UD/ART Visual Communications

Visual Communications BFA Degree Program Curriculum

Major Requirements

Suggested Degree Pathway

Previous Degree Requirements

The BFA in Visual Communications degree requires a minimum of 75 credit hours of Art courses (with a maximum of 86 Art credit hours). All grades in all Art courses must be a C or better for credits to count toward the BFA degree. It is important that students pursuing the BFA in Visual Communications degree work closely with an academic advisor throughout their progress toward the degree.

The BFA/VC degree program begins after the successful completion of all Freshman Foundation courses and acceptance of a student’s application.

Freshman Foundation Credits 18
1st Year Requirements (Typically Sophomore Year) 15
Fall Semester  

Art 202 Typography I

 3
Art 206 Form and Communication I 3
Art 204 Media/Design/Culture 3
Spring Semester  
Art 203 Typography II 3
Art 207 Form and Communication II 3
2nd Year Requirements (Typically Junior Year) 12
Fall Semester  
Art 300 Typography III 3
Art 308 Form and Communication III 3
Spring Semester  
Art 301 Graphic Design Studio 3
VC Studio Elective (see below) 3
3rd Year Requirements (Typically Senior Year) 12
Fall Semester  
Art 400 Visual Communications Practicum 3
VC Studio Elective (see below) 3
Spring Semester  
Art 401 Portfolio Preparation 3
VC Studio Elective (see below) 3
Art 417 BFA Exhibition 0
VC Studio Electives 9

A total of 9 credit hours are required from the following list of courses, many of which may be repeated for up to 6 credits. Most VC Studio Electives are only offered once a year and the department is not always able to offer all of these courses - check UDSIS. Many (not all) Visual Communications Electives are open to Visual Communications juniors and seniors, with priority given to seniors.

Fall Semester Electives
Art 307 New Media Design
Art 414 Photographic Design Topics
Art 412 Illustration Topics
Art 422 Advertising Design Topics

Spring Semester Electives
Art 307 New Media Design
Art 310 Photographic Design Methods
Art 322 Advertising Design Methods
Art 312 Illustration Methods
Art 346 Letterpress Printing
Art 406 Artist’s Machine
Art 407 Advanced New Media Design
Art Electives 15
After the required major requirements (including VC Studio Electives) an additional 15 credits must be from Art department courses.
Discovery Learning (Internship) 3
As a requirement of the University, the Discovery Learning Requirement is typically satisfied by Art 408: Visual Communications Internship, however students may elect to fulfill this requirement through other means upon approval of the program coordinator.
Art History Requirement 12
Of the total credits required for the degree, 12 credits must be of Art History,
or 9 credits of Art History and 3 of “Art 315: Issues in Contemporary Art”.
Total BFA/VC minimum degree credits 75
Total credits required to graduate 124

Suggested Degree Pathway

It is important that students plan their college course load carefully so that they are able to focus on their major courses as seniors. To assist in this planning, we suggest the following blueprint of courses. However, each individual student's pathway will be (and should be) unique.

Required Credits:

Total Foundation Credits: 18
Total VC Requirements: 42
Total Art Electives: 15
English (110 + 2nd Writing) 6
College Math 3
Breadth Requirements (Groups): 34
MultiCultural Requirement: 3
Art History: 12

Freshman Foundations:

Required Art Courses: 18
Math Requirement: 3
English 110: 3
Breadth Requirements / Multicultural: 9
Art History: 3

Total Freshman Year Credits 36 (18 per semester)
Total Credits: 36

1st Year VC Requirements (Typically Soph.Year):

Fall Semester (16 cr.):
Art 202 Typography I: 3
Art 206 Form and Communication I: 3
Art 204 Media/Design/Culture: 3
Breadth Requirement (Lab): 4
Art History: 3

Spring Semester (18 cr.):
Art 203 Typography II: 3
Art 207 Form and Communication II: 3
Intro Art Elective: 3
Art History: 3
Breadth Requirement: 6

Total Example Sophomore Year Credits: 34
Total Credits: 70

2nd Year Requirements (Typically Junior Year):

Fall Semester (18 cr.):
Art 300 Typography III: 3
Art 308 Form and Communication III: 3
Intro Art Elective: 3
Art History: 3
Breadth Requirement: 6

Spring Semester (15 cr.):
Art 301 Graphic Design Studio: 3
VC Studio Elective: 3
Art Elective: 3
Breadth Requirement: 3
2nd Writing Requirement: 3

Total Example Junior Year Credits 33
Total Credits: 103

VC Summer Study Abroad Program to London (Art cr.): 6

Total Credits: 109

3rd Year Requirements (Typically Senior Year):

Fall Semester (15 cr.):
Art 400 Visual Communications Practicum: 3
VC Studio Elective: 3
Art Elective: 3
Breadth Requirements: 6

Spring Semester (12 cr.):
Art 401 Portfolio Preparation: 3
VC Studio Elective: 3
VC Internship (Discovery Learning): 3
Art 417 BFA Exhibition: 0
Art Elective: 3

Total Example Senior Year Credits: 27
Total Credits: 136 (only 124 needed)
Total Art Credits: 81 (Max. 86, Min. 75)

Previous Degree Requirements

Students enrolled in the Visual Communications degree program prior to Fall of 2008 have the option to continue with the previous degree requirements. To download these requirements and advising checksheets, select the year that you began FRESHMAN FOUNDATIONS:

Fall 2004 / Fall 2005 / Fall 2006

 
©2008 University of Delaware / Art Department / 302.831.2244