Visual Arts

The University of North Georgia’s Department of Visual Arts offers the following degree programs:

Associate of Arts in Art
Bachelor of Arts in Art with Concentration in Digital Art
Bachelor of Arts in Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
Bachelor of Science in Art Education *
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts

*NOTE: The professional education degree program offered through the Department of Visual Arts is in coordination with and subject to requirements stipulated by the College of Education.
www.ung.edu/visual-arts/index.php

Art (A.A.)

The A.A. in art prepares students for further study in art or a related field within a four-year degree program; it may also stand as an independent, two-year degree. The 60-credit program consists of 42 credits in Areas A-E core curriculum course work, and 18 credits in foundation studio art and art history courses.

Art with Digital Arts Concentration (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Art and a Concentration in Digital Arts prepares students for a career in digital illustration, animation, or related field. The degree allows for exploration of multiple artistic media and disciplines beyond the arts to supplement the digital arts courses. It is a general degree with 48 credits in 2000-4000 level studio art and art history courses. The degree includes an 18- credit hour elective block that can be used to earn either of the following: a minor in Art History, any minor outside the Department of Visual Arts, or elective courses outside the Department of Visual Arts.

Art with Graphic Design Concentration (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Art and a Concentration in Graphic Design prepares students for a career in graphic design or related field. The degree allows for exploration of multiple artistic media and disciplines beyond the arts to supplement the graphic design courses. It is a general degree with 48 credits in 2000-4000 level studio art and art history courses. The degree includes an 18-credit hour elective block that can be used to earn either of the following: a minor in Art History, any minor outside the Department of Visual Arts, or elective courses outside the Department of Visual Arts.

Studio Art (B.A.)

The BA in Studio Art prepares students for a career in visual arts or a related field, allowing exploration of multiple artistic media and disciplines beyond the arts. Students take courses in media including three-dimensional design and fabrication, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textile design, and weaving. The degree includes an 18-credit hour elective block that can be used to earn a minor in Art History, or any minor program outside the Department of Visual Arts, or elective courses (MINIMUM 9 hours 3xxx/4xxx) outside the Department of Visual Arts.

Art Education (B.S.)

The B.S. in Art Education prepares students to teach art in the Georgia School System. This is a comprehensive degree program, offered in coordination with and subject to requirements stipulated by the UNG School of Education, that provides an initial teaching certificate to teach pre-school through twelfth grades. Sixty credits are taken in Areas A-F core curriculum coursework, 33 credits are required in 2000- to 4000-level studio art and art history, and 36 credits are taken in professional education coursework. (A minimum of 39 credits in 3000- and 4000-level studio art, art history, and art education courses are required.)

Art education students must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program before beginning 3000-level ARED and EDUC coursework; to complete the program they must undertake a field internship and student teaching, and post a passing score on the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE).

Visual Arts (B.F.A.)

The Visual Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) is a professional degree with 69 credit hours in studio art and art history courses. Multiple advanced studio art courses equip students with proficiency in an area of focus, preparing them for graduate school admission or for positions within a variety of creative industries that demand advanced artistic expertise. Students culminate their degree with a Capstone Exhibition, which provides an applied learning experience.

Minors

The Department of Visual Arts also offers several minors:

Minor in Art History
Minor in Digital Arts
Minor in Digital Design & Fabrication
Minor in Graphic Design
Minor in Studio Art

The department also provides core curriculum courses in Area C and electives to the student body at large. Upper level visual arts courses are accessible to non-majors with permission of the department head. Any open-option student who is considering a visual arts major should consult an academic advisor in the Department of Visual Arts as soon as possible in order to make informed decisions when planning a course of study. This is especially critical since visual arts majors should begin taking Area F core requirements in the first semester of the freshman year to maintain the appropriate sequence of courses.

Core Curriculum- Area C Fine Arts Requirement

Every undergraduate North Georgia student is required to complete a course in either fine arts, speech or philosophy as a part of the Area C core curriculum requirements. Successful completion of ART 1100 Art Appreciation, ART 2510 Art History I, or ART 2520 Art History II fulfills this requirement for non-visual arts majors; visual arts majors may complete this requirement by successfully completing ART 1100 Art Appreciation.

Visual Arts Program Requirements and Assessment

Visual arts majors and minors must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each Department of Visual Arts course taken to fulfill degree requirements.

All 3-hour art studio courses are activity-based courses in visual arts; these courses normally meet for six hours per week.

All transfer visual arts courses completed at another institution are subject to portfolio or equivalency review by the faculty to determine if transfer credit can be awarded.

Students enrolled in visual arts courses (including Area F courses) may be required to attend art exhibitions, guest lectures, and/or cultural presentations that occur outside the regular class time. This attendance requirement, which will be stated in writing for each visual arts course at the beginning of each term, is considered to be an integral component of the liberal arts education provided by the University of North Georgia.

Each visual arts degree candidate must successfully meet oral and written communication skills requirements and exhibit an understanding of cultural diversity. Further, each degree candidate must demonstrate facility with appropriate current technologies, along with the ability to use critical thinking skills in response to issues, themes and ideas within her or his chosen area of study.

All area F courses (ART 1010, ART 1020, ART 1030, ART 2100, ART 2150, ART 2200, ART 2450, ART 2452, ART 2510, ART 2520, ART 2600, ART 2700, ART 2810) must be completed by visual arts majors with a grade of C or higher prior to taking any 3000- or 4000-level studio art or art history courses.

All Visual Arts students must submit and pass the online Foundations Portfolio Review. Examples of foundation level coursework are submitted for review, ensuring basic art aptitudes are met. Students must successfully complete Foundations Portfolio Review after or concurrently with ART 1010, 1020, and 1030. Foundations Portfolio Review must be completed by the 45 credit hour mark.

Majors may pre-register for upper level studio art or art history courses the semester they are completing Area F coursework. Prior to starting 3000-and 4000-level studio art history courses, Visual Arts advisors will verify their advisees have passed Foundations Portfolio Review and completed their Area F coursework with a grade of C or better.

Each candidate for the BA in Studio Art, BA in Art with Concentration in Digital Arts, and BA in Art with Concentration in Graphic Design degrees, in their last semester of coursework, must take 0-credit course ART 4550 BA Senior Seminar and participate in a capstone group art exhibition consisting of one work by each graduating senior.

Candidates for the B.F.A. in Visual Arts must successfully complete ART 4910 Senior Capstone Exhibition. Students create a body of artwork for exhibition in their area of focus. In preparation, B.F.A. candidates must submit an online Senior Proposal in conjunction with their area advisor.

In addition to these requirements, each candidate for an undergraduate visual arts degree in professional education must be admitted to Teacher Education before taking any 3000- or 4000-level EDUC or ARED courses, successfully complete a teaching internship that is jointly directed by the Department of Visual Arts and the School of Education, and meet all the other requirements stipulated by the Department of Visual Arts and the School of Education.

Visual Arts Scholarships and Awards

A limited number of visual arts scholarships and awards are available to outstanding majors. Scholarships are awarded based on artistic merit, academic achievement, and/or university or community involvement. For basic information, refer to the section on Departmental Awards under Honors and Awards. Detailed information is available at http://ung.edu/visual-arts/scholarships-and-awards.php or from:

Department of Visual Arts
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA 30597

Programs

Associate of Arts

Art (A.A.)

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Visual Arts (B.F.A.)

Bachelor of Science

Art Education (B.S.)

Certificate Programs

Digital Design and Fabrication Certificate

Minor