Studio Art (BFA)

Program Description

The BFA program in Studio Art is designed for students to study forms and ideas together. The interdisciplinary curriculum includes painting, drawing, sculpture and installation, photography, video art, digital art, performance, metals, ceramics, design, and praxis courses. Students in the program meld art history and theory, the humanities and sciences, and combine it with the high energy of New York City. The first–year Foundation Program is 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.

Students are encouraged in their junior year to enroll for one semester in a study-abroad site sponsored by New York University. Senior students enroll in Senior Studio, a year-long course designed to further young artists’ studio practice, preparing them to be exhibiting artists. Students participate in individual and group critiques where they meet with senior mentors, full-time faculty, visiting artists, and curators and develop a cohesive body of work supported by a written thesis outlining the ideas and contexts that drive his or her creative process.

In addition, all seniors can apply for the Senior Honors program where they will work closely with a professional guest curator to discuss selected students’ work and ideas to present a group exhibition. 

Accreditation (NASAD)

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply. 

Program Requirements

¹

Students complete 6 credits per semester for 2 semesters.

²

Students register for this 1-credit course for two semesters.

³

Students can enroll only during junior and senior year. Must receive an internship offer and approval from major advisor to register.

Sample Plan of Study

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will:

1. Demonstrate initiative and creativity in developing and executing action plans for research and artistic experimentation.
2. Exhibit technical expertise that enhances the conceptual and artistic direction of their work, supported by research and critical theory.
3. Critique and contextualize their own and others’ artworks using theoretical models and an understanding of global and contemporary art practices.
4. Collaborate effectively with peers and work independently, contributing to meaningful artistic conversations and projects.
5. Embrace risk-taking, experimentation, and openness to critique, while continuously expanding the scope of their artistic practice.

Policies

Department Policies

Add/Drop 

Registration changes, including credit changes, must be completed before the end of the add/drop period. Add/drop dates may be found on NYU's academic calendar. After the end of the add/drop period, students may not drop a course and must instead withdraw. Withdrawing from a course is indicated by a “W” on a student’s transcript. In exceptional circumstances beyond the student’s control (such as those resulting from administrative or advising errors), advisors may request that a late schedule change be reviewed by the Academic Operations team.  

If enrolling in a variable credit course, students should consult with their advisor regarding the number of credits that they register for. When necessary, advisors will confer with the instructor of the course or program faculty to confirm the requested number of credits. Once confirmed, the student’s advisor must request approval and grant it to the student directly before the student may move forward with registration. After the add/drop period, students may not change the number of credits for which they are registered in a variable credit course. 

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for departmental courses. All students are expected to attend class regularly and to actively participate in class activities. Students who enroll in the course within the add/drop period are excused for the class sessions missed prior to enrollment. Students who must miss class for reasons other than late enrollment are required to notify the instructor in advance via email. All students who miss a class for any reason are responsible for all material covered during the missed class meeting(s).

The Department of Art and Art Professions does not permit students to Zoom into in-person courses if they are ill. If a student is unwell and unable to attend class, they will be marked as absent and are responsible for missed course material.

Religious observance, illness, and family emergencies are grounds for excused absences. If a student cannot attend class for any of the above reasons, they must email the instructor in advance, and all assignments must still be submitted within 24 hours of the due date. If the nature of the absence prevents a student from sending advance notice, they must communicate via email with the instructor as soon as possible for the absence to be excused.   

Auditing

The Department of Art and Art Professions does not permit students to audit courses. Students must be registered for the course in order to be able to attend the course. See Auditing Classes for more information.

Change of Major

1. Any students who are interested in applying for a change of major must contact the program advisor for the program to which they plan to apply. They should also be in contact with their current advisor to indicate their intention to apply for a change of major. 
2. Interested students may apply for a Fall or Spring change of major.   
3. Students may not apply for a change of major before their second semester of study, unless allowed by the Steinhardt host department.
4. At latest, students may begin study in a new NYU school/program as a first-semester junior.
5. Please see the Studio Art BFA website for the most up-to-date change of major application deadlines. 

Double Majors and/or Steinhardt Non-Primary Majors

Students pursuing a double major must follow the Steinhardt Non-Primary (Double) Major Policy and complete Steinhardt’s Non-Primary (Double) Major Declaration form. Students who wish to declare a Double Major in Studio Art must meet with the BFA Studio Art program advisor and the advisor for their primary major to discuss possible course schedule options. 

​Please note:

1. You must declare a non-primary major during or prior to the spring term of your junior year and before you complete 80 credits towards your degree.
2. You must declare a non-primary major in a field of study different from your primary major.
3. If you are pursuing a non-primary major, you may need to earn units in excess of your degree requirements.  
4. Please note that adding a non-primary major does not mean that you will receive two degrees. You will receive only one diploma printed with the school name and the academic department name of the primary major, not the name of the major itself.  
5. Primary majors, non-primary majors, and minors will all appear on your transcript.

Departmental Criteria for Good Academic Standing

Good Academic Standing (GAS)

To remain in Good Academic Standing (GAS), students are required to maintain both term and cumulative GPAs of 2.0 each semester.

GPA Criteria for Academic Standing

Recommendations for each academic standing status follow the Steinhardt process for Notice of Academic Alert, Notice of Academic Concern, and Academic Dismissal:

• Good Academic Standing: Both term and cumulative GPA above a 2.0.
• Notice of Academic Alert: Term or cumulative GPA below a 2.0.
• Notice of Academic Concern: Term or cumulative GPA below a 2.0 for a second consecutive semester.
• Notice of Continued Academic Concern: Following a probationary semester either the term or cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 but the other is above.
• Academic Dismissal: Following a semester on Notice of Academic Concern, if a student does not meet the criteria for GAS or Notice of Continued Academic Concern, they will be recommended for dismissal to COSP.

Incomplete Grades

Please review Steinhardt’s Incomplete Grade Policy for information on Incomplete Grades.

Independent Study

An independent study is designed by the student and sponsoring faculty to investigate an area or field of specialization not normally offered in scheduled course offerings. It is an opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member to complete directed reading, a creative project and/or supervised research. Students must consult with their advisors before undertaking an independent study to understand program-specific requirements and policies.

Please note:

• Only full-time faculty may sponsor an independent study.
• Only matriculated students are eligible to complete an independent Study. Independent studies carry 1 to 3 units. The number of units will be determined by the work to be completed and should be comparable in rigor to that of a classroom course.
• Minimum hours required per unit: 45 hours of work per credit per term
• Maximum credits allowed: For undergraduate students, a maximum of 6 credits of independent study over the course of the undergraduate career will be allowed.
• Registering for an Independent Study: Students first meet with the academic advisors to determine if the student should undertake an independent study; they then meet with the sponsoring faculty to complete the NYU Steinhardt Independent Study form, which requires signatures from the sponsoring faculty member and the student’s advisor. Students should then self-enroll in the course via Albert. 
• Independent Study Title and Description: The title of an independent study will appear on the student transcript prefaced by the term “Independent Study." The description of the independent study should include its theme (which may be stated as a research question, an issue to be explored, or a creative technique to be examined) and its type and scope (e.g. paper, special project). Students should use the Independent Study form to ensure the correct title is listed on their academic transcript.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

The Department of Art and Art Professions follows NYU Steinhardt’s policy on pass/fail grading. Undergraduate students in the Department are permitted to request pass/fail grades for courses satisfying their CORE liberal arts requirements (with the exception of Expository Writing courses) so long as they meet the other requirements noted in Steinhardt’s policy. Students who have questions about pass/fail course eligibility must speak with their academic advisor and consult their program handbook for more information on program-specific policies.

Study Away

Studio Art majors who are interested in studying abroad may find more information here. NYU NYU’s Global Programs Office maintains a calendar of important dates for study abroad opportunities. Students seeking study away opportunities may refer to NYU’s study away policies and procedures, and should also consult with their academic advisor for program-specific policies.

Program Policies

Grade Minimums

Students must obtain a D or better in an ART-UE course for it to count toward their degree progress. These courses can be attempted a maximum of two times. Sophomore Studios are not repeatable for credit and may be taken only once. Projects courses are repeatable for credit for a maximum of two enrollments.

Students who obtain a D or lower in ART-UE classes will be reviewed by the Committee on Student Progress for Notice of Academic Alert or Notice of Academic Concern. Students who are not able to complete and pass ART-UE classes with a D or better after two attempts will be reviewed by the Committee on Student Progress for Notice of Academic Concern or dismissal.

Internship for Credit

As a major in our 4-year BFA program in Studio Art, you may elect to enroll in an internship to extend your experiential learning outside the studio and classroom through the course ART-UE 1010 Internship in Studio Art. Participating in an internship is an optional part of your program. Undergraduate majors in Studio Art are eligible for internships from the second semester of their sophomore year through the end of their senior year. Students must complete an active internship before beginning another.

Internship hours must align with the number of credits the student is enrolled in. Hourly commitments are estimated given a standard 14-week semester:

• 1 credit: 45 hours of fieldwork (~4 hours/week)
• 2 credits: 90 hours of fieldwork (~7 hours/week)
• 3 credits: 135 hours of fieldwork (~10 hours/ week)

In order to receive work authorization and especially to receive any form of payment (including hourly wage, travel reimbursement, and stipends), international students must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) via NYU’s Office of Global Services (OGS).

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.