DECLARING THE MAJOR

Process for students to declare and major in Art Studio:

Students may declare the Art Studio major anytime from spring semester of the sophomore year until mid-senior year through their WesPortal. At the time of declaration, students are expected to have completed:

  • ARST131Drawing I (ARST131)
  • Another ARST course.
  • One Art History course
  • At the time of declaration, prospective majors must have a B+ average in the department and a B average overall. All Art Studio and Art History courses must be taken for a grade to count toward the major.

*Students may be currently enrolled in one of the courses at the time of major declaration.

Once the major is declared, students will be assigned an Art Studio academic advisor, who is a member of the full-time Art Studio faculty. Majors will meet with their advisor before pre-registration to answer questions, review a major’s academic history, and identify any outstanding requirements to complete the major and General Education expectations. Majors should discuss their plans for off campus studies and get information about upcoming professors' sabbaticals. Students and advisors should review their academic plans using these tools: Art Studio and Art History projections and ARHA designations for ARST Major requirements .

In the spring semester of junior year, Art Studio majors will choose between honors thesis and capstone portfolio pathways:

  • First week of February – Look for an email from the Art Studio Program with instructions for selecting your pathway.
  • Second week of February – Decide which pathway you want to pursue. Be sure to discuss your choice with your advisor!
  • If choosing the honors thesis pathway: Speak with up to three professors about the possibility of serving as your thesis advisor.
  • By the third Friday in February – Submit the names of up to three Art Studio faculty who have indicated a preliminary willingness and availability to serve as potential thesis advisors. Students are expected to have taken at least one course with any requested thesis advisor. Please send the ranked list to the Art Studio Program’s Administrative Assistant via email.
  • Last Tuesday of February – Art Studio faculty will meet to review submissions and approve which students will proceed in the Honors Thesis pathway, with an assigned advisor.
  • During spring break – The Art Studio Program will notify students via email regarding approval to proceed in the Honors Thesis pathway and the name of their assigned thesis advisor.

Honors Pathway: requirements and honors thesis

  • Drawing 1 (ARST 131)
  • Minimum 4 other ARST courses (including one 3-D course)
  • 3 Art History courses in 3 different geographical regions
  • Senior Seminar (ARST 350)
  • 2 semesters Senior Thesis Tutorial (ARST 409/410)
    = 11 courses

    *Must be GenEd compliant
    *Eligible for honors
    *Students pursuing the honors thesis pathway must secure the agreement of a thesis advisor.

Non – Honors Pathway: requirements and capstone portfolio

  • Drawing I (ARST 131)
  • 6 ARST courses (including one 3-D course, and 3 x 300-level or higher)
  • 3 Art History courses in different geographical regions
  • 1 Elective (ARST or ARHA course of choice, any level)
  • 1 capstone portfolio working with advisor spring senior year (not a credit, but a requirement)
    =11 courses

*1 Individual ARST Tutorial may be counted toward 6 ARST courses
*Must be GenEd compliant 
*Not honors eligible


Please contact Rhonda York at x2688 with any questions.