Curriculum

128 Total Credits Required

Liberal Arts Requirements, 42 Credits. Program Requirements, 86 Credits.

The first-year Foundation Program, a focused progression of studio and critical art theory courses, enables students to explore many forms and philosophies of art making, giving them an unusually wide array of skills and visual languages with which to express their ideas. Students develop technical and analytical skills, as well as creative discipline, and a clearer understanding of the relationship between art and society.

Beginning as early as second semester Freshman year and beyond, students begin to take Liberal Arts Core classes and choose studio courses in consultation with an adviser. Students also complete upper level interdisciplinary studio projects and departmental studio and theory based electives. Praxis courses combine critical theory with innovative artistic practices, and classes in experimental forms, such as Autobiography, Art and Activism, Sex and Contemporary Art, and The Artist as Visionary and Saboteur, expand the definitions of art and its audiences. Students may also select a minor from among many of the undergraduate programs at NYU.

Senior Studio is a year-long course that provides a concentrated, non-media-specific forum for students to receive rigorous feedback from faculty, peers, and visiting critics as they develop one or more bodies of work towards a spring semester exhibition. Every senior will receive their own private studio, write their senior thesis, engage in weekly individual and group critiques, and curate a group senior thesis exhibition. Throughout the semester, students are expected to be working extensively in their studios, in conversation and collaboration with their peers and faculty.

Liberal Arts Courses: BFA students are required to complete a significant number of courses in the liberal arts, totaling 40 credits. According to New York State regulations, liberal arts courses “comprise the disciplines of the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences,” and are to be distinguished from courses that emphasize applied knowledge, and/or practical, occupational or professional training.  

Internships provide a valuable opportunity for students to network and gain professional experience within the professional art world. Students may receive a maximum of 6 credits toward graduation in exchange for internship hours as early as Spring Sophomore year. To seek credit for an experience, students must register their internship prior to their start date.