Designing the Baccalaureate Program - Art and Design

Art and Design at Lesley University offers several Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree options; and additionally a double major in Illustration/Animation, a BA in Art, and a fully online BS in Design for User Experience. Each of our majors aims for the high professional standard that its designation implies. First, we expect our students to receive a well-rounded, high quality education that prepares them for life-long learning and for the many creative art-making challenges they will face. Second, we expect them to become experts in their chosen area of professional practice: to achieve a level of professional mastery in some area of their major or in related interdisciplinary activities. Third, we expect students to foster a critical and historical perspective on their work and to develop writing and speaking skills that allow them to clearly communicate that perspective. Fourth, we expect them to learn about business and professional practices in their major area of interest through course work, internships, and other professional contacts and experiences. Finally, we expect students to synthesize their studio and general education experiences as the capstone to their studies. This is accomplished through the presentation of a portfolio or exhibition evaluated by outside professionals and faculty.       

All Art and Design BFA majors incorporate 18 credits of studio foundation requirements, 15 credits of art history/theory requirements, 48 credits of studio requirements dedicated to the major, 27 credits of general education (CommonLynx) requirements, with 12 remaining credits of free electives for a total of 120 credits.  Roughly 2/3 of  the BFA 120 credits are completed through studio based art and design classes, and professional development coursework appropriate to the specific program of study. University-wide General Education Standards are designed to expand students' knowledge and experiences, not only through classroom learning, but through external experiences and interdisciplinary opportunities as well. This credit structure was recently reimagined and redesigned by faculty and administration, and meets the NASAD accreditation standards and guidelines. Each undergraduate program at Lesley University, including the studio BFA programs, strives to meet those standards with specific competencies through a combination of student experiences. Our General Education and Liberal Arts components are offered and taught by Lesley University faculty.