STUDIO ART (B.F.A.)
Your Passion Can Be Your Profession.
You already know that art is more just a hobby.
The time you spend in studio goes beyond satisfying your inner muse—it’s preparing you to excel in a world where creativity, inspiration, dedication, and practical knowledge are key to success.
Whether you work with paint or pastels, graphite or graphic design, the lens of a camera or the many textures of mixed media, Coker’s B.F.A. program in studio art prepares you for a professional, studio-based career.
Check out our campus gallery, the Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery.
Click Here To Audition!
Get The Money You Need For Your Degree
Just because your education is an invaluable investment doesn’t mean some degrees aren’t a better value than others! Affordability is one of the ways Coker University clearly stands out from other schools. We work very hard to keep tuition low and to find scholarship money to help you pay for your degree.
$17,459!
Average amount of scholarship aid* awarded to Coker students last year
*Does not include federal, state, or need-based aid
95%
of Coker undergrads receive some form of financial aid.
Over $10,000,000
Coker grants in student scholarships each year.
$500 – $2,000
ART SCHOLARSHIPS
per semesterPortfolio Submission
(12-15 original works of art in a variety of media) and minimum GPA of a B required for art major scholarships
Contact Us
for art scholarship info
Email: ngulledge@coker.edu
One Degree That Opens All These Doors
$52,910
Craft and Fine Artist
$106,500
Art Director
$51,384
Animator
$44,102
Graphic Designer
$44,102
Art Teacher
$49,429
Curator
$45,047
Photographer
$73,365
User Experience Designer
$48,753
Archivist
$47,473
Illustrator
Note: Salary and job outlook data are based on national averages and may vary by location, experience, education level, and industry.
B.F.A. Application & Review
- B.F.A. application form
- Portfolio of 15 works of art and/or design (documentation/sketchbooks required)
- Statement of intent (1-2 pages)
- Statement of degree/career plan (one page)
Course Requirements
The B.F.A. in studio art requires a total of 78 credits (63 studio credits and 15 credit hours in art history).
Required Core Studio Courses
- ART 101
- ART 102
- ART 105
- ART 109
- ART 130
- ART 205
- ART 220
- ART 250
- ART 260
Required Art History Courses
- ART 280
- ART 281
- ART 384
- ART 387
- ART 388
Other Requirements
- Eight (8) courses within studio art*
- Four (4) or more at 300-level
- 400-level senior studio courses
- 400-level professional practice course
*Includes advanced courses reserved for B.F.A. students only.
Professional Practice Portfolio
B.F.A. students are required to develop and complete:
- An interview with an arts professional
- A research paper on their senior studio work
- An artist’s statement
- A CV
- A cover letter
- A portfolio website
- Mock interviews
Students are encouraged to complete (one or more):
- Proposal submission for an off-campus exhibition
- Job applications relevant to career interests
- Written draft for a business proposal
Senior Studio, Exhibition & Review
Senior Studio
All B.F.A. students in studio art must complete a year-long senior studio course, resulting in a cohesive body of work. Each student will work on this capstone project with a faculty mentor.
Exhibition
B.F.A. students will be responsible for the following aspects of their senior exhibition:
- Installation of body of work
- Exhibition promotion (posters, designed and printed; press release, etc.)
- Gallery talk at exhibition opening
Senior Review
All B.F.A. students will undergo a senior review, consisting of:
- Critique of the body of work and discussion of process
- Discussion of how the student’s work connects to non-art investigation*
- Discussion of expectations for the body of work moving forward
- Discussion of professional goals and/or opportunities within art and design industries
Process Book
The process book is a record of the evolution of ideas throughout a student’s senior studio. This documentation reflects the depth of investigation into research material, artists, designers, photographers, and applicable study outside of art.
*This process keeps in mind that Coker is a liberal arts institution, and that our B.F.A. students should have an awareness of what a liberal arts education encapsulates.
MEET YOUR MENTORS
Nathaniel Gulledge
Associate Professor of Art; Coordinator of the Art Program
For me, coming to Coker University in 2016 was coming home. I received my bachelor’s degree in art with a concentration in Graphic Design from Coker in 2003. I’ve always been grateful for my…