Studio Art Major

College of Arts and Humanities - Department of Art and Music

Program Accreditation
Framingham State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Application to the Major
All prospective students for the Studio Art major regardless of concentration are required to submit a portfolio, which are reviewed by the faculty. Applicants for admission into the major should submit their portfolio digitally through SlideRoom.

The Portfolio should contain 10-15 examples of the strongest and most recent artwork made by the applicant.

The portfolio should include artworks:

  • Created from direct observation (minimum one self-portrait and one still-life);
  • Using a variety of media, techniques, subject matter, and scale;
  • Work samples that demonstrate dedication, sustained interest, and artistic development over time;
  • Sketchbooks, graphic design work, and experimental pieces are also acceptable.

Application Deadline(s):

  • Fall Semester - November 15th (Early Decision), February 15th, March 15th (Transfers);
  • Spring Semester - December 1st 

*Current FSU Students may apply for the Studio Art major on a rolling basis by submitting their work through SlideRoom.

The General Education Requirement
All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain I-A (Creative Arts) is satisfied through the completion of both Studio Art major and Domain I-B (Humanities) is satisfied through completion of the Art History major.

Course Prerequisites
Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

Course Credit and Competency Based Assessment
Students who enrolled in ARTS 110 Introduction to Drawing (Gen. Ed., Domain I-A) and received a grade of B (3.00) or above, and who have passed the Portfolio Review are given credit for ARTS 200 Drawing Fundamentals.

Arthur B. Mazmanian Gallery
The Mazmanian Gallery, coordinated by members of the Art faculty, is located in the McCarthy Center. The Gallery maintains an active schedule exhibiting the work of faculty, students, and recognized artists from the region. The diversity of exhibitions adds to the enrichment of campus life while also extending the University’s resources to the community.

Studio Art Major Core Requirements:

Ten (10) core requirements consisting of:

Three (3) Art History courses:

  • ARTH 270 History of Art I
  • ARTH 272 History of Art II
  • ARTH 273 Modern Art History

Seven (7) Studio Art courses:

  • ARTS 200 Drawing Fundamentals
  • ARTS 203 Form and Structure
  • ARTS 213 Time and Space
  • ARTS 222 Color and Design
  • ARTS 230 Digital Tools for Art and Design
  • ARTS 254 Painting Methods
  • ARTS 300 Life Drawing
    (ARTS 300 is not required for Concentration in Graphic Design)

 

Studio Art Major Concentrations:

All Studio majors must select a concentration no later than the end of the freshmen year from the following options:

Concentration in Ceramics (UARC)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (7):

Four (4) courses in Studio Art:

  • ARTS 241 Ceramics
  • ARTS 266 Wheelworking
  • ARTS 416 Advanced Ceramics Studio
  • ARTS 487 Senior Studio Art Seminar

One (1) course in Art History:

  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

Choose two (2) Ceramic Electives from the following:

  • ARTS 307 Functional Ceramics
  • ARTS 324 Image and Clay
  • ARTS 360 Ceramics Sculpture

 

Concentration in Graphic Design (UARD)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (8):

Five (5) courses in Studio Art:

  • ARTS 361 Typography
  • ARTS 366 Branding and Identity Design
  • ARTS 431 Advanced Graphic Design
  • ARTS 488 Senior Portfolio: Graphic Design and Illustration
  • ARTS 495 Internship in Studio Art
Choose one (1) course in Art History from the following:
  • ARTH 333 History of Graphic Design
  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

Choose two (2) Electives from the following:

  • ARTS 188 Introduction to Photography: Black and White
  • ARTS 216 Interactive Design
  • ARTS 316 Advanced Interactive Design
  • ARTS 333 Motion Graphics and Animation
  • ARTS 335 Principles of User Experience Design
  • ARTS 344 Digital Painting
  • ARTS 356 Illustration
 

Concentration in Illustration (UARL)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (7):

Four (4) courses in Studio Art:

  • ARTS 356 Illustration
  • ARTS 386 Sequential Illustration: Children’s Books, Comics, and Graphic Novels
  • ARTS 456 Advanced Illustration
  • ARTS 488 Senior Portfolio: Graphic Design and Illustration

One (1) course in Art History:

  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

Choose two (2) Studio Art Electives from the following:

  • ARTS 344 Digital Painting
  • ARTS 351 Watercolor
  • ARTS 354 Painting Composition
  • ARTS 358 Landscape Painting
  • ARTS 361 Typography
  • ARTS 369 Figure Painting
  • ARTS 495 Internship in Studio Art
 

Concentration in Painting (UARA)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (7):

Four (4) courses in Studio Art:

  • ARTS 354 Painting Composition
  • ARTS 419 Advanced Drawing Studio
  • ARTS 478 Advanced Painting
  • ARTS 487 Senior Studio Art Seminar

One (1) course in Art History:

  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

Two (2) Intermediate Painting Electives from the following:

  • ARTS 315 Collage and Mixed Media
  • ARTS 351 Watercolor
  • ARTS 358 Landscape Painting
  • ARTS 369 Figure Painting
  • ARTS 377 Abstract Painting
  • ARTS 394 Encaustic

Concentration in Photography (UARO)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (8):

Concentration Core courses (4):

  • ARTS 188 Introduction to Photography: Black and White
  • ARTS 235 Intermediate Photography: Color
  • ARTS 441 Advanced Photography
  • ARTS 487 Senior Studio Art Seminar

One (1) course in Art History:

  • ARTH 226 History of Photography
  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

Choose Three (3) Electives from the following:

  • ARTS 205 Photography of Architecture
  • ARTS 242 Silkscreen
  • ARTS 261 Printmaking
  • ARTS 315 Collage and Mixed Media
  • ARTS 363 Photojournalism and Digital Narrative
  • ARTS 495 Internship in Studio Art

Concentration in Printmaking (UARP)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (7):

Four (4) courses in Studio Art:

  • ARTS 261 Printmaking
  • ARTS 419 Advanced Drawing Studio
  • ARTS 479 Topics in Advanced Printmaking
  • ARTS 487 Senior Studio Art Seminar

One (1) course in Art History:

  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

Choose two (2) Printmaking Electives from the following:

  • ARTS 242 Silkscreen
  • ARTS 308 Woodcut
  • ARTS 328 Intaglio

Concentration in Sculpture (UARS)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (6):

Three (3) courses in Sculpture:

  • ARTS 313 Sculpture Methods and Materials
  • ARTS 403 Advance Sculpture Studio
  • ARTS 487 Senior Studio Art Seminar

One (1) course in Art History:

  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

Choose two (2) Studio Art Electives from the following:

  • ARTS 241 Ceramics
  • ARTS 315 Collage and Mixed Media
  • ARTS 360 Ceramic Sculpture
  • ARTS ___ Any Printmaking course
  • ARTS 419 Advanced Drawing Studio
  • ARTS 473 Special Topics in Studio Art

Concentration in Studio Art (UARG)

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (7):

Five (5) courses in Studio Art Electives 200-level and above
       Note: no more than three (3) Studio Art Electives may be at the 200-level

One (1) course in Art History:

  • ARTH 383 Contemporary Art History

One (1) Capstone Course:

  • ARTS 487 Senior Studio Art Seminar

 

Concentration in Art Education (UARE)*

Major Core requirements and the following concentration requirements (4):

One (1) of the following printmaking courses:
  • ARTS 261 Printmaking
  • ARTS 308 Woodcut
  • ARTS 328 Intaglio
  • ARTS 338 Lithography

One (1) of the following ceramics or sculpture courses:
  • ARTS 241 Ceramics
  • ARTS 266 Wheelworking
  • ARTS 307 Functional Ceramics
  • ARTS 313 Sculpture Methods and Materials
  • ARTS 403 Advanced Sculpture Studio
  • ARTS 416 Advanced Ceramics Studio

One (1) course in Art History from the following:
  • ARTH 282 American Art
  • ARTH 285 The Art of Asia
  • ARTH 288 Latin American Art
  • ARTH ___ 300- or 400-level Art History Elective
One (1) course in Studio Art:
  • ARTH 419 Advanced Drawing Studio
Note: Students with the Art Education Concentration must declare the appropriate Education Minor to complete the program.
REQUIRED MINOR IN ART EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN THE ART EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
The Education minor shall consist of:
  • EDUC 200 Education in American Society with Field Study I
  • EDUC 246 Sheltered English Immersion in Secondary Education
  • EDIL 302 Secondary Methods with Field Study II: Special Needs and Educational Technology
  • EDIL 328 Secondary Methods with Field Study II: Visual Art PreK-8 & 5-12
  • PSYC 200 Psychology of Development
     
    Students choose either Elementary or Secondary Practicum courses below:
    Elementary Licensure in Art (Pre-K - Grade 8)
  • EDPS 428A Secondary Professional Practicum A: Visual Art Pre-K to Grade 8 (two course-credits)
  • EDPS 428B Secondary Professional Practicum B: Visual Art Pre-K to Grade 8 (two course-credits)
        
    Secondary Licensure in Art (Grades 5 - 12)
  • EDPS 429A Secondary Professional Practicum A: Visual Art Grades 5-12 (two course-credits)
  • EDPS 429B Secondary Professional Practicum B: Visual Art Grades 5 - 12 (two course-credits)
Note: Art Department prerequisites for EDIL 328 Secondary Methods with Field Study II: Visual Art PreK-8 & 5-12 are as follows (prerequisites may be waived at the discretion of the Department Chair):
  • ARTH 270 History of Art I
  • ARTH 272 History of Art I
  • ARTH 273 Modern Art History
  • ARTS 200 Drawing Fundamentals
  • ARTS 203 Three-Dimensional Design I
  • ARTS 222 Color and Design
  • ARTS 254 Painting Methods
  • ARTS 300 Life Drawing
Effective as of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog