HELP OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25 (Website) College of Fine Arts Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window) Facebook this Page (opens a new window) Tweet this Page (opens a new window)

College of Fine Arts
Jennings House
Phone: 740.593.0587
Fax: 740.593.0570
www.ohio.edu/fine-arts

Matthew R. Shaftel, Dean 
Karla Hackenmiller, Associate Dean
Maureen Wagner, Assistant Dean

The College of Fine Arts includes the School of Art + Design, the School of Dance, the School of Film, the School of Theater, the School of Interdisciplinary Arts; and the School of Music. The College offers a broad cultural education in the fine arts, as well as specialized training in a wide range of career fields.

Mission

The College of Fine Arts celebrates innovative creativity and scholarship; and engages students through a challenging and supportive learning environment. We infuse the arts into the university, the region, and the world, by embracing a broad spectrum of traditions and emerging practices.

Schools and Programs

The School of Art + Design , located in Seigfred Hall, offers degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with majors in both Studio Art and Art History. Also available is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Studio Art with concentrations in Art Therapy, Digital Art + Technology, Ceramics, Painting + Drawing, Photography + Integrated Media, Printmaking, and Sculpture + Expanded Practice; and Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees in Graphic Design and Interior Architecture. A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work through the Honors Tutorial College.

The School of Dance , located in Putnam Hall, offers two major degree options: the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance. A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work in dance through the Honors Tutorial College.

The School of Film , located at 31 S Court St., offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree. A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue an undergraduate major in film through the Honors Tutorial College.

The School of Interdisciplinary Arts , located at 31 S Court St., offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree.

The School of Music , located in Glidden Hall, offers degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) with majors in Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments, Music Composition, Music Education, Music Therapy, Orchestral Instruments, Organ, Piano, Piano Pedagogy, and Voice. It also offers a liberal arts-based degree program leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work in music through the Honors Tutorial College.

The School of Theater , located in Kantner Hall, offers degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with majors in Production Design and Technology, Stage Management, Playwriting, or Theater Performance (Acting or Musical Theater). It also offers a liberal arts-based degree program leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work in theater through the Honors Tutorial College.

Double Majors

Students wishing to pursue two majors within the College of Fine Arts, either simultaneously or successively must be admitted to and complete all requirements for each of the majors. The College of Fine Arts awards a B.A., B.F.A., or B.Mus. only once, regardless of the number of majors completed with that degree designation (e.g., one B.F.A. degree for double majors in playwriting and acting). Consequently, only one diploma is issued per degree.

Second (Dual) Bachelor’s Degree

Students wishing to pursue a second major outside the College of Fine Arts, should apply for admission to the college offering the second major. See “ Earning a Second Degree ” in the Graduation Requirements – University-wide  section of this catalog for specific requirements.

In the case of the dual degree comprising a B.F.A., B.Mus. or B.A. in the College of Fine Arts and a second degree earned in a different college, two degrees are conferred and two diplomas are awarded.

University policy requires the completion of a minimum of 135 semester hours for the second or dual degree(i.e., an additional 15 hours beyond the 120 required for the first degree), including all specific requirements for both degree programs. For the guidelines to earning a second or dual bachelor’s degree, refer to the Graduation Requirements – University-wide  section of this catalog.

Minors & Certificates

Minors are available in the Schools of Art + Design, Dance, Film, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music, and Theater. The minors are designed for students majoring in other fields who wish to pursue study in the arts. Specific requirements for each minor can be found in the program information for that minor.

Students wishing to declare a minor in the College of Fine Arts, should consult with their Student Success Advisor.

Students with a major in the College of Fine Arts wishing to pursue a minor offered by another school or department within the University, consult that school or department’s section of the catalog. Students cannot minor in the same area as your major (i.e., dance major/dance minor). 

Certificate programs are offered in the Schools of Art + Design, Dance, Music and Theater. Students wishing to pursue any of these programs should review the application requirements and contact the certificate director.

Admission Requirements

School of Art + Design

All incoming first year students who wish to pursue a degree in Art + Design are encouraged to submit a portfolio for talent scholarship consideration. Students who wish to pursue a B.F.A. degree in Studio Art, Interior Architecture or Graphic Design should submit a portfolio at the time of application. All students will have the opportunity to submit an updated portfolio for program and concentration application during the fall and spring semesters.

Admission to the B.F.A. in Studio Art (with a concentration in Art Therapy, Digital Art + Technology, Ceramics, Painting + Drawing, Photography + Integrated Media, Printmaking, or Sculpture + Expanded Practice) and B.F.A. in Graphic Design require a successful portfolio review.

School of Dance

An audition is required for entry into all dance degree programs and for talent scholarship consideration. Contact Dance for audition dates.

School of Film

The requirements for admission to the B.F.A. in Film is the submission of a portfolio of creative work containing films/videos, screenplays, or work from another medium. Contact the School of Film for portfolio submission dates.

School of Interdisciplinary Arts

There are no requirements beyond University admission requirements.

School of Music

An audition is required for entry into all music degree programs and for talent scholarship consideration. Contact the School of Music  for audition dates.

School of Theater

All incoming first year students who wish to pursue a degree in Theater are encouraged to submit a portfolio/interview/audition for talent scholarship consideration. Students who wish to pursue a B.F.A. degree in Performance, Playwriting, Production Design and Technology, or Stage Management must submit a portfolio/interview/audition at the time of application. All students will have the opportunity to submit an updated portfolio/interview/audition for program and application during the fall and spring semesters.

Transfer Students

To transfer from another college or university, you are required to audition, submit a portfolio, or meet the requirements specified by each program in the College of Fine Arts in addition to gaining admission to Ohio University. Contact the particular school in which you are interested for detailed admission information.

Ohio University students requesting transfer to degree programs in the College of Fine Arts also are required to meet the above criteria and should consult the appropriate school before applying for transfer.

Scholarships and Awards

A limited number of scholarships and awards of varying amounts are available to students with majors in the College of Fine Arts. Some awards are renewable; others are granted on a one-time basis, renewable at the discretion of the school involved. Awards are based primarily on talent demonstrated through audition, interview, and/or portfolio submission. Contact the appropriate school to arrange an audition or portfolio submission for talent-based awards.

Global Opportunities

Offerings include programs in the United States along with the extensive array of study abroad programs, providing students with a greater variety of opportunities to have unique academic experiences. The College of Fine Arts sponsors a number of these programs with a focus on the arts. Information regarding a specific program can be obtained from the sponsoring school at www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/opportunities-experiences/global-opportunities .

For information about general Ohio University education abroad opportunities, refer to Academic Opportunities - University-wide  section of this catalog.

Advising

The College of Fine Arts maintains a system of academic advising for its students with assigned Student Success Advisors and Faculty Mentors. Students should maintain ongoing contact with their advisors for assistance with concerns related to academic and career planning. Advisors will assist students with an appropriate selection of courses each semester as they prepare course schedules. It is especially important that students work closely with their advisor to maintain the proper sequence of courses in the selected major. Deviations from the normal course requirements, including waivers and/or substitutions, must be approved in writing by a student’s school director, and the dean’s office.

Although advisors will be helpful in assisting with the preparation of a student’s schedule, it is the student’s responsibility to make certain that all graduation requirements are met.

Academic Probation

For the University academic probation policy, refer to Academic Policies  in the Academic Policies & Procedures section of this catalog. Any student who, at the time of review, does not have a 2.0 or higher GPA, will be placed on academic probation and will be required to complete an Academic Success Workshop coordinated by the Allen Advising. 

Degrees and Requirements

Upon completion of a program in the Schools of Art + Design, Dance, Film, Interdisciplinary Arts, and Theater, either a B.A. or a B.F.A. degree is granted.

Upon completion of programs in the School of Music the B.Mus. degree is granted.

All programs of study within the College of Fine Arts are intended to provide students with a strong foundation in the arts and culture as well as an opportunity for specialized professional training. Every effort is made through careful individual academic advising and a flexible curriculum to meet the individual needs of each student. If your qualifications are outstanding, certain courses may be waived from the proposed program of study. You may request a review of qualifications for course waivers through your adviser and school director. Waivers sanctioned at the school level are then submitted to the dean’s office for review. Candidates for degree programs in the College of Fine Arts must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with an accumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0. The minimum number of semester hours and the accumulative GPA for some degree programs are higher.

B.A. Degree and Requirements

General requirements for a B.A. are

1. a minimum of 120 semester hours;
2. 57 hours of coursework above the 1999 level;
3. the equivalent of two years of college-level foreign language;
4. at least 9 hours each of humanities, social sciences, and 6 hours of natural sciences coursework;
5. OHIO BRICKS ; and
6. all requirements stipulated by the school for the chosen major.

Minors are optional.

B.A. Degree Language Options

B.A. students must complete a foreign language to the 2120-level (or its equivalent). Students taking the Spanish, French, or German placement test and who test into 3110 will have fulfilled their foreign language requirement. The placement exam does not count as college credit. Students who test into 3110 are encouraged to take the course they placed into for college credit. These higher-level courses will count as humanities courses (and A&S 2000-level or higher) as well as towards a minor or major in the field.

Students who have prior knowledge of one of the following foreign languages should contact the academic departments listed below for test-out and placement information:

American Sign Language - Hearing, Speech and Language Studies - Grover Center W218 - contact: hsls@ohio.edu - 740.593.1407

French, German, Italian, or Spanish  - Modern Languages - Gordy Hall 283 - contact: modern.languages@ohio.edu - 740.593.2765

Akan, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Indonesian, Swahili, Thai, or Wolof  - Linguistics - Gordy Hall 383 - 740.593.0297

Greek or Latin - Classics and Religious Studies - contact: classics@ohio.edu  - Ellis 210

Students who have prior knowledge of a foreign language not offered at Ohio University can opt to take the NYU Foreign 12-Point exam (approximate cost $350) to complete their foreign language requirement: www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academics/divisions-and-departments/center-for-publishing-and-applied-liberal-arts/proficiency-testing.html .

International Students

For international students whose first or native language is not English, and who completed high school where the first or native language was the one primarily used for instruction, the foreign language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating competence in English. This must be approved by the assistant dean in the College of Fine Arts, and it generally requires the successful completion of at least one or more courses in English as a foreign language.

You may also satisfy the foreign language requirement by taking a foreign language other than your own first language at Ohio University, or by successfully completing the NYU foreign language exam.

Enrollment in the beginning or intermediate level (under 3000) of your own first language(s) will be considered a noncredit course.

Please contact the Fine Arts Undergraduate Student Affairs office at 740.593.0587 for additional information.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements

Humanities Area Requirement *

The humanities requirement may be met by selecting 9 semester hours from the following:

1. African American Studies:  AAS 1060 ,  1100 ,  1500 ,  2100 ,  2110 ,  2500 ,  3100 ,  3170 ,  3500 ,  3520 ,  3530 ,  3550 ,  3560 , 3570
2. Academic and Global Communication:  AGC 1300
3. Art: ART 1100 , 1200 , 1210 , 1220 , 1230 , 1240 , 1600 , 2640 , 3660
4. Art History: AH****
5. Classics and Religious Studies:  except CARS 2010 , 2020 ,  3040 , 3410
6. College of Arts and Sciences: CAS 1110 , 2300
7. Communication Studies:  COMS 3601 ,  3602 ,  3603
8. Dance:  DANC 1010 , 1020 , 1040 , 1050 , 1700 , 2235 , 2550 ,  2700 , 2710 , 3150 , 4550 ,  4710 , 4711 , 4750
9. English:  except ENG D150 ,  1510 , 1510L ,  1610 ,  4510 ,  4520 ,  4911 ,  4912
10. Fine Arts:  FAR 1500
11. Film: FILM 2010 , 2020 , 2030 , 3400 , 3430 , 4440 , 4710 , 4720
12. Foreign language courses other than those used to complete the foreign language requirement and  except FR 1199 ,  FR 2930 ,  FR 4640 , GER 2930 ,  ITAL 2930 ,  JPN 3410 ,  RUS 2930 ,  SPAN 1199 , and  SPAN 2930
13. History:  HIST 1210 ,  1220 ,  2530 ,  2600 , 2755 ,  2950 ,  3111J ,  3140 ,  3141 ,  3144 ,  3146 ,  3147 ,  3148 ,  3224 ,  3290 ,  3291 ,  3292 ,  3293 ,  3390 , 3465 ,  3520 ,  3521 ,  3531 ,  3532 ,  3533 ,  3540 ,  3541 ,  3542 ,  3550 ,  3560 ,  3562 ,  3600 , 3792 ,  3840 ,  3860 ,  3861 ,  3864 ,  3900 ,  4536
14. Humanities: HUM****
15. Interdisciplinary Arts: IART****
16. International Literatures in English, International Literature: Linguistics  andInternational Literature: Modern Languages  except ILL 3890
17. Jewish Studies:  JS 1000 ,  2100 ,  2900
18. Modern Languages:  ML 2300 ,  2950 ,  3210J ,  3270J , 3280J
19. Music/Music Literature: MUS 1220 ,  1240 , 1250 ,  2240 ,  3210 ,  4210 ,  4211 ,  4212 ,  4213 ,  4214 ,  4215 ,  4216 ,  4270
20. Philosophy:  except PHIL 1200
21. Theater: THAR 1710 , 1730 , 2130 , 2390 ,  2710 ,  2711 , 3396 , 3397 , 3398 , 4710
22. University Professor:  UP 1901 , 1901U , 4901U  (class subjects vary; check Course Offerings for more information)
23. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies:  except WGSS 3910

Social Sciences Area Requirement*

The social sciences requirement may be met by a selection of 9 semester hours from the following:

1. African American Studies:  AAS 1010 ,  1900 ,  2020 ,  2200 ,  2250 ,  2540 ,  3400 ,  3410 ,  3450 ,  3460 , 3650 ,  3680 , 3691 ,  4400 ,  4820
2. Academic and Global Communication:  AGC 1300
3. Anthropology:  except ANTH 2010 ,  3460 ,  3550 ,  3600 ,  4470 ,  4480 ,  4740 ,  3960
4. Business Law:  BUSL 2000 ,  2550 ,  3400
5. Classics and Religious Studies: CARS 2010 , 2020 , 3040 , 3410
6. College of Arts and Sciences:  CAS 1120 ,  1415 ,  1425 ,  1605 ,  2300 ,  2350 ,  2411 ,  2600 ,  4410 ,  4911
7. Economics: ECON**** except ECON 2890
8. Environmental and Plant Biology:  PBIO 2170
9. Environmental Studies: ES 3620 , 4500 , 4610 , 4710 , 4720 , 4730 , 4832 , 4910
10. Geography: GEOG  except those listed under Natural Sciences (see below)
11. History: HIST  except those listed under Humanities (see above) and except HIST 2270 , 2540 , 2700
12. International Literature: ILL 3890
13. International Studies: INST****
14. Japanese:  JPN 3410
15. Law, Justice, and Culture:  LJC 2000 ,  3915 ,  4945
16. Linguistics: LING****
17. Modern Languages:  ML 2400
18. Political Science: POLS****
19. Psychology:  except PSY 1110 , 1110L ,  2110 , 2111 ,  2112 ,  2210 ,  3110 ,  3230
20. Social Work: SW****
21. Sociology: SOC**** 
22. University Professor:  UP 1901S ,  4901S  (class subjects vary; check Course Offerings for more information)
23. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: WGSS 2300 ,  3910

Natural Sciences Area Requirement*

The natural sciences requirement may be met by selecting 9 semester hours from the following:

1. Anthropology:  ANTH 2010 ,  3460 ,  3550 ,  3600 ,  4470 ,  4480 ,  4740 ,  3960
2. Astronomy: ASTR****
3. Biological Sciences: BIOL 1010 , BIOS**** except BIOS 1100 , 1500
4. Chemistry:  except CHEM D015 ,  1100 ,  1150 ,  1151 ,  1152 ,  3005 ,  3006
5. College of Arts and Sciences: CAS 1415 , 2000 , 2405 , 2411 , 2600
6. Computer Science:  CS 3000 ,  4160
7. Economics: ECON 2890
8. Environmental and Plant Biology:  except PBIO 2170
9. Environmental Studies: ES 4250 , 4300 , 4500 , 4710 , 4832
10. Geography: GEOG 1100 , 2060 , 2680 , 2710 , 3010 , 3020 , 3031 , 3040 , 3050 , 3150 , 3160 , 3580 , 3650 , 3712 ,  4035 , 4060 , 4070 , 4080 , 4090 , 4110 , 4130 , 4170 , 4660 , 4670 ,  4730 , 4760 , 4770 , 4941 , 4942 , 4943 , 4944
11. Geological Sciences: GEOL****
12. Mathematics:  except MATH D004 ,  D005 ,  1060 ,  1090 ,  1101 ,  1102 ,  1200 ,  1300 ,  1321 ,  1322 ,  1500 , 2120 ,  4100
13. Physical Science: PSC****
14. Physics: PHYS**** except PHYS 1021 , 1022
15. Psychology:  PSY 2110 ,  2111 ,  2112 , 2210 ,  3110 ,  3230
16. University Professor:  UP 1901N ,  4901N  (class subjects vary; check Course Offerings for more information)

* May only count in one area. Additionally, courses from the department of your major cannot be used to meet this requirement.

Note:  Methods  courses are not applicable to area requirements.

*These listings must be used as the official guide for the completion of the Arts and Sciences area (distribution) requirements. Exceptions to the 9-hour Arts and Sciences area distribution will be made only under the most unusual of circumstances and by petition only. Consideration for inclusion of courses not listed is not made on an  ad hoc basis  but requires formal approval of the Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee.

Some courses from these categories may also be applied to the University general education requirements. However, the three Arts and Sciences area categories differ in scope from the five  OHIO BRICKS  groupings. If you wish to select a course that will apply to both the Arts and Sciences and general education requirements, take care to choose a course that has been approved for the desired category in both the College and the University listings. Courses that can fulfill quantitative reasoning and written communication  OHIO BRICKS  requirements and the capstone requirement do not apply to the Arts and Sciences area distribution requirements. Exceptions include  MATH 1350  and  PSY 2110 .

The list of courses appears in the  OHIO BRICKS  section of the catalog.

Level-of-Study Requirement

Hours at the 2000 level or above : Within the total hours applied to the degree, at least 57 semester hours of courses must be above the freshman level (numbered above 1999). These courses are listed earlier in this section under humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and include foreign languages, courses from the department major, and courses taught by faculty in the College of Fine Arts or Arts and Sciences intended to meet the advanced writing or capstone.

Single Application of Credit and Exceptions

Excluding the exceptions listed below, no course may satisfy more than one of the three area distribution requirements in foreign language, humanities, social sciences, or the major requirement. For example, a theater major may not apply any courses in theater toward the humanities area distribution requirement. Courses that fulfill freshman OHIO BRICKS requirements or capstone will not apply to the distribution area requirements.

Exceptions are:

• MATH 1350 and PSY 2110 (will fulfill the quantitative reasoning requirement, as well as the natural science area distribution).
• Advanced writing courses offered by departments within the College of Fine Arts  or the College of Arts and Sciences  apply to the area distribution requirement except when they are required for the major.

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