Students graduating from the School of Human Sciences and Humanities Applied Design and Visual Arts program in December will be the first in UHCL’s history to be awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the change from the Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Design and Visual Art to a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

“A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is the higher level baccalaureate degree that indicates a student has taken more discipline-specific courses,” said Stuart Larson, associate professor and convener of applied design and visual arts.

Larson also explained that students who graduate from this program often go on to graduate programs in art history, studio art and graphic design. The more specialty study areas include: graphic design, art education, art history, ceramic arts, crafts, drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture.

The program that was in place was already on the track of becoming a higher level baccalaureate degree, so only minimal changes had to be made in terms of accreditation for this degree.

“The main difference for students is an additional 24 to 30 hours,” said Nick DeVries, professor of arts.

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts will have a distinct advantage. Larson explained that those students who will begin their professional career after graduation will be much more competitive in the workplace, particularly those with goals of working in the visual design field. The degree will also offer students stronger visual and cognitive problem-solving skills and a strongerportfolio.

    “For students going on to graduate school, a Bachelor of Fine Arts will give them an advantage on their transcripts,” Larson said. “The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a tangible benefit for both our current and future applied design and visual arts students.”

For more information on the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, visit the Applied Design and Visual Arts link on the Human Sciences and Humanities programs Web site.

In addition to the new degree, the School of Human Sciences and Humanities and the School of Education are working together to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Design and Visual Arts with EC-12 Art certificate. This all-level certificate will provide students with the opportunity to become a certified art teacher. To get more information on this program, contact an adviser at the School of Education office, B1231, or an adviser at the School of Human Sciences and Humanities office, B1539.