TTU Home Official Publications Home

School of Art

(Back to College of Visual and Performing Arts)

Quick Links

Undergraduate ProgramUndergraduate Degrees Graduate Program

Course DescriptionsFaculty

 

About the Program

This school supervises the following degree programs and certificate:

        • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Studies (leading to teacher certification)
        • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design
        • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art
        • Bachelor of Arts in Art History
        • Master of Art Education
        • Master of Fine Arts in Art
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Arts with a major in Art
        •  Graduate Certificate in Art History, Criticism, and Theory

The school’s degree programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Back to Top

 

Undergraduate Program

Mission Statement. The School of Art is committed to providing a stimulating and challenging environment that will develop creative and scholarly potential in students, support faculty members in the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research, serve public and professional constituencies, and promote intercultural understandings through art.

Degree programs engage students in art through an examination of contemporary, historical, and cross-cultural issues, ideas, and actions in relation to multiple, diverse, and global visual cultures. The School of Art emphasizes exhibition opportunities, contemporary technologies, critical discourse, and interdisciplinary opportunities. The school offers students the opportunity to minor in art history, studio art, or fine art photography. Nonmajors who desire experience in the visual arts as part of their liberal education will find a varied selection of course offerings.

Transfer Students. The freshman and sophomore art curriculum is consistent with the art curriculum for higher education approved by the Coordinating Board. The School of Art at Texas Tech therefore respects the standard art core curriculum with regard to transfer credit. In some cases, a portfolio of previous work in art and a transcript of completed courses may be necessary for the purposes of advising and placement in the degree program.

Art Foundations. All students majoring in art are required to take 22 hours of Art Foundations courses in the areas of studio art and art history. These courses consist of the following: ART 1100, Introduction to Art; ART 1303, Drawing I: Introduction; ART 2304, Drawing II: Introduction; ART 1302, Design I: Introduction; ART 2303, Design II: Introduction; ART 1310, Art History Survey I; ART 2311, Art History Survey II; and ART 3312, Art History Survey III.

Advanced Placement. Entering art majors may be considered for advanced placement in the Art Foundations program through the College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or the School of Art Foundations Portfolio Review. Art majors who score a 4 or 5 on the College Board Exams in drawing portfolio, two-dimensional design portfolio, or three-dimensional design portfolio will receive credit for Drawing I, and/or Design I, and/or Design II (3-dimensional design) (ART 1302, 1303, 2303). Students also may be considered for advanced placement by presenting a portfolio of artwork to the School of Art Foundations Portfolio Review Committee to determine if the portfolio merits course credit for Drawing I, Design I, and/or Design II. The Foundations Portfolio exam is a service provided to students who declare a major in art. It is not intended for students minoring in art or seeking to fulfill a fine arts general education requirement. Students who are awarded advanced placement through the College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP) or the School of Art Foundations Portfolio exam may earn 6 hours of college credit. Entering art majors who receive a 4 or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Program in art history will be exempt from taking ART 1310 and 2311. Majors who receive AP art history credit must take three upper-level art history courses.

Individualized Programs. Through a unified foundations program, the School of Art prepares students to develop increasingly specialized and diverse courses of study. No grade below C is accepted for transfer credit in majors, minors, or specializations. Most upper-level art courses are repeatable for credit and allow for individualized instruction.

Studio Art Centers International (SACI). Texas Tech University’s association with SACI offers students the opportunity to study studio art, art history, and the Italian language in the heart of Florence, Italy. Year-long or summer study opportunities take full advantage of the rich past of Florence, its artistic resources, cultural offerings, and SACI’s premier art facility and faculty. SACI is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

School Residency Requirements. Students working toward a B.F.A. degree in visual studies, communication design, or studio art must complete a minimum of 30 hours of art in residence, 24 of which must be upper-division courses. Students working toward a B.A. degree in art history must complete at least 12 hours of upper-division art history courses in residence. At least 6 hours of upper-division art courses must be taken in residence for all minors in this school.

Distance Learning Courses. Major or minor courses may not be taken by distance learning.

Writing Intensive Requirement. Six hours of the major must be in writing intensive courses. Students may satisfy this requirement by completing two of the following courses: ART 3312, 4311, 4335, 4359 and 4365.

Technology and Applied Science Requirement. Consult the School of Art undergraduate advisor.

Art Minors. All art minors must be approved by the school. Declaration of an art minor must be made prior to completion of minor coursework and with the School of Art academic advisor. Students working toward any minor in art must complete a minimum of 18-21 semester hours, which must include 6 hours of junior and senior level courses. Hours applied to the minor area of study may not include courses used to fulfill requirements in the student’s major. These courses, however, may make the student eligible immediately for upper-division courses throughout the 18-21 hours of the art minor. The area of communication design does not offer a minor.

Specific requirements are as follows:

      • Art History Minor. Students working toward an art history minor must complete a minimum of 18 hours and include ART 1310, 2311, and 3312. The remaining 9 hours must be chosen from a menu of courses offered at the 3000 and 4000 level. These courses are ART 3310, 3311, 3313, 3314, 3315, 3316, 3317, 3319, 4310, 4312, 4313, 4314, 4315, and 4318. Students minoring in art history are required to take at least two upper-level courses in art history in residence.
      • Studio Art Minor. Students working toward a minor in studio art must complete a minimum of 18 hours of coursework in the School of Art. Hours applied to the minor area of study may not include courses used to fulfill requirements in the student’s major. A 2-D studio art minor consists of ART 1302, 1303, 2304, and 9 hours in either drawing, painting, or printmaking. A 3-D studio art minor consists of ART 1303, 2303, 2304, and 9 hours in either ceramics, jewelry design and metalsmithing, or sculpture. For both the 2-D and 3-D studio art minors the remaining 9 hours will be determined by the School of Art academic advisor. Six of the 18 required hours must be taken at the junior or senior level in residency.
      • Fine Arts Photography Minor. Students working toward a minor in photography must complete a minimum of 21 hours. The following courses are to be taken in sequence: ART 1302, 1303, 3325, 3329, 3319 (or ART 1309), 3326 (may be repeated). All advanced hours must be taken in residence.

      Back to Top

       

Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Visual Studies Major

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Studies (leading toward art teacher certification) prepares graduates for the realities facing teachers today. The program emphasizes contemporary theories and social issues in art and education, including race, class, and gender inequalities, intercultural concerns, community activisms, critical awareness, antibias methods, and alternative resources. Grounded in social theories, the coursework emphasizes visual cultures and contemporary art. Prior to student teaching, students participate in field practica in public schools and community settings, as well as with alternative populations such as children from low socioeconomic environs and incarcerated youth, children, and adults with differing abilities.

The B.F.A. degree with a visual studies major requires 67 semester hours of studio art and art history, 33-39 semester hours of professional education, and 38-51 semester hours of general requirements as stipulated by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The minimum number of hours required for the visual studies major (leading to teacher certification) is a total of 126 credit hours. A minimum of 40 credit hours of junior- and senior-level courses are required for graduation.

 

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Communication Design Major

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design addresses problem-seeking and problem-solving skills. Importance is placed upon conceptual development and the integration of form and information for the purpose of effective visual communication including current technological advances.

In addition, emphasis is placed on civic responsibility and the role of the graphic designer in the community. A curriculum that is responsive in this way will inevitably empower and foster critical thinking. Students hone not only their artistic and professional skills, but also their understanding of the fundamental issues of today’s society and what they, as professional artists, can do in service to others.

The communication design curriculum consists of 82 semester hours of art and art history courses and 38-51 semester hours of general requirements as stipulated by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The minimum number of hours required for majors in communication design is 120 with a minimum of 40 upper-level credit hours required for graduation.

Admission to Major. Admission to the communication design program is a two-step process: (1) apply to Texas Tech University and (2) apply to the communication design program for acceptance. Admission to Texas Tech University does not guarantee admission to the communication design program.

Majors are selected each year in the spring semester by a selective portfolio review and interview process. Students prepare for the review by enrolling in ART 2388 (Design Process) in the spring of their freshman year. Prerequisites for this course include ART 1303 and 1302. To register for ART 2388, students must be enrolled concurrently in ART 2304 and 2303, if not taken previously. The student presents the work produced in Design Process to the communication design faculty in mid-April.

The communication design area is a limited access program and the process is highly competitive. If a student is not accepted, he or she has the option to reapply the following spring. The program can be completed in four years unless a student is not accepted and opts to reapply, thereby increasing the matriculation time by one year.

The curriculum is based on a series of carefully sequenced classes that must be taken in order. Some courses are offered only in the fall while others are offered only in the spring. If a sequenced course is missed, the student will not be allowed to progress in the emphasis area until that course is taken and completed.

Preportfolio Review. Once accepted, one additional portfolio review occurs prior to enrollment in ART 4382 (Portfolio Development). Students are required to present their work once again to the communications design faculty. Students must successfully pass the review before being granted entrance into the final portfolio class. If a student does not pass the review, prescription courses will be assigned before enrollment is granted.

 

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Studio Art Major

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art offers depth in the studio areas and requires 82 hours of art and art history courses in addition to the 38-51 hours of general requirements as stipulated by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. One-third of the semester hours in studio art above the Art Foundations must be outside the student’s area of emphasis and must be chosen with advisor approval. The minimum number of hours required for majors in studio art is 120. A minimum of 40 credit hours of junior- and senior-level courses are required for graduation. Upon completion of the Studio and Art History Foundations courses, students select an area of emphasis from ceramics, jewelry and metals, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture, with the approval of faculty advisors. Within the studio art major and after approval of an advisor, a student may take a distribution of courses that combine digital media, photography, and printmaking. This combination of courses will enable students to experiment with various media and the technical aspects of digital imagery in creating fine art. Graduating studio art majors are required to participate in a group exhibition during the spring semester of their graduating year.

 

Bachelor of Arts

Art History Major

Students working toward the Bachelor of Arts degree with an art history major must complete 22 hours of Art Foundations courses, 30 hours of upper-level art history courses selected with the written consent of an advisor (at least 12 of which must be taken in residence and include 3 semester hours of senior thesis), and other requirements for the B.A. degree (see below). Prior to the last semester of the senior year, students are required to take 6 hours in a focus area in preparation for the senior thesis (3 credit hours). An art history major may complete either a traditional 18-hour minor or an 18-hour interdisciplinary research minor, subject to approval by the art history area advisor, in a field or fields outside of the School of Art. The minimum number of hours required for majors in art history is 120.

Curriculum Tables

Back to Top

 

Graduate Program

Certificate in Art History, Criticism, and Theory

The Graduate Certificate in Art History, Criticism, and Theory comprises a minimum of 15 semester hours of graduate work that includes 6 semester hours of required courses and 9 semester hours of related courses in art history and criticism chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor for art history. Six semester hours in art history at the undergraduate or graduate level are a prerequisite (recommended) or corequisite for this certificate. Students who have met the minimum entrance requirements of the Graduate School should apply there for entry into the certificate program. The Graduate School will issue the certificate upon completion of the required 15 semester hours of coursework. Courses completed as requirements for another program (e.g., a minor field of study) can be applied toward the certificate.

 

Master of Art Education

The Master of Art Education (M.A.E.) degree program is comprised of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work that includes 12 semester hours of art education core courses; 9-12 semester hours of related art courses; 6-9 semester hours as a minor (taken outside the school or with the option of classes within the School of Art); and a minimum of 6 semester hours of thesis, professional project, or studio problem leading to an art exhibition. The M.A.E. graduate coordinator will evaluate applicants who have met the minimum entrance requirements of the Graduate School. The applicant for the M.A.E. degree may be asked to submit a portfolio and/or slides of his or her art and, if possible, examples of student art to the preview committee. On the basis of these requirements, the preview committee will make recommendations concerning the acceptance of students to the M.A.E. degree program and will determine and prescribe any leveling work to be completed before or after acceptance. Teacher certification is available with an additional 18 hours of coursework and student teaching. Students applying for the Master of Art Education degree program do not need to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination.

 

Master of Fine Arts

The Master of Fine Arts degree (M.F.A.) is the recognized terminal degree in the practice of art. It is offered with a major in art and requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate work.

Specialization is possible in the areas of ceramics, jewelry design and metalsmithing, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. Drawing may be selected as a secondary studio option or studio elective. Admission to the M.F.A. program normally presumes that students hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art. A graduate preview committee, composed of three graduate faculty members in the school, will examine a portfolio of the student’s work and hold a personal interview, if feasible, with each student who meets the minimum entrance requirements of the Graduate School. On the basis of these examinations, the preview committee will make recommendations concerning acceptance to the M.F.A. program and will determine and prescribe any leveling work to be completed before or after acceptance. Students applying for the Master of Fine Arts degree program do not need to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination.

 

Ph.D. in Fine Arts

Within the Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Arts degree, the major in the School of Art (the art major) is titled “Critical Studies and Artistic Practice.” Students in this major examine diverse discourses in the visual arts, exploring their trans-disciplinary margins as well as their disciplinary strengths. In addition to the Fine Arts Core of 15 hours, students enroll in a Critical Studies and Artistic Practice Core of 12 hours, consisting of interdisciplinary topics in the visual arts. Beyond the two groups of core classes, students must complete a minimum of 33 hours of individualized coursework, including 12 hours of dissertation work. Individualized coursework may be chosen, with consent of the advisor, from two of the following fields: history of art, art education, critical studies, museum studies, arts administration, and studio art (if the student holds an appropriate master’s), as well as theatre and music. Additional coursework may be undertaken; however, the State of Texas limits students to 99 hours of doctoral study.

The residence requirement for the fine arts doctoral program is fulfilled by satisfactory completion of 18 semester hours of graduate coursework during one 12-month period. This is usually accomplished with one consecutive fall-spring schedule, or summer sessions I and II consecutive with either a fall or a spring semester.

For acceptance into the doctoral program, we strongly recommend but do not require that the applicant have a master’s degree, or its equivalent, with emphasis in a visual arts area. Every effort is made to select candidates who show strong scholarship and professional competence. Art doctoral faculty will evaluate each applicant’s professional goals and any evidence of progress toward these goals. More specific qualifications will pertain to specific career directions.

For admission into this program, the graduate visual studies and art history-criticism faculty review the applicant’s dossier. A personal interview is recommended. Faculty submit recommendations to a three-member preview committee. If approved, the applicant is recommended by the committee to the college’s Graduate Committee for acceptance into the program. Acceptance is also contingent upon meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate School. After admission, a specific degree plan is determined.Back to Top

 

Course Descriptions

Back to Top

Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Tina Fuentes, M.F.A., Interim Director

Professors: Dingus, Edwards, Fuentes, Glover, Morrow, Tate, Waters, Wink
Associate Professors: W. Cannings, Check, Cortez, Fehr, Flueckiger, D. Fowler, Germany, Granados, Martin, Slagle, Steele, Tedeschi, Venhuizen,
Assistant Professors: Akins-Tillet, Blizard, Chua, Elko, Elliott, Erler, Lindsay, Orfila, Ortega, Tierney, Yoo
Adjunct Faculty: S. Cannings, C. Fowler, Milosevich, B.Wheeler, J. WheelerBack to Top

Catalog Contents