The Bachelor of Arts degree offers students a studio art experience to complement a broad exposure to the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. Bachelor of Arts (Art) students have two course tracks to choose from: Studio Arts and Community Arts.
The Community Arts track is geared towards students interested in social engagement, environmental issues, community building, public art, and placemaking. Community Arts courses highlight art practices that integrate collaborative processes, social cooperation and service-learning experiences. They will be prepared to work as artists in grassroots organizations, community institutions, non-profit arts organizations, and educational institutions.
Students in the Community Arts track augment their studio research by completing the Cultures and Communities Certificate. As their capstone work, Community Arts BA students develop and execute a self-directed BA Project which is the culmination of their Community Arts research.
The courses required and recommended for this track are listed on the "Requirements" tab. The “Plan of Study” tab suggests course sequencing across all four years so students can meet the degree requirements.
Requirements
Laptop Requirement
Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.
Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all undergraduates. However, it’s required for the programs below. For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page.
- Art & Design (BA and BFA Programs)
- Dance (BA and BFA Programs)
- Film, Video, Animation & New Genres (BA and BFA Programs)
- Music (Composition & Technology Program)
- Theatre (BFA Production and BA Theatre Education Programs)
Credit Overview
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | 45 | |
| First Year Program | 15 | |
| BA Degree Requirements | 9 | |
| Major Requirements | 51 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
University Core
The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Arts is 120; the minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 123. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, and foreign language may need additional credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | ||
| Compentencies 1 | ||
| English Parts A & B 2 | ||
| Math Parts A & B 2 | ||
| Foreign Language 2 | ||
| Distribution Requirements 1 | ||
| ARTHIST 101 | Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture (counts as Humanities GER) | 3 |
| ARTHIST 102 | Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture (counts as Humanities GER) | 3 |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Natural Science (1 course with lab) | 6 | |
| Cultural Diversity 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| General Electives outside PSOA | 9 | |
| Art & Design History | ||
| ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Design Survey | ||
| Photography Survey | ||
Advanced Art History Course 3 | ||
| Select 3 areas in PSOA outside Art & Design 4 | 9 | |
| Art in PSOA | ||
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: | 3 |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
Learn more about the General Education Requirements.
- 2
Credit may be utilized in required curriculum areas.
- 3
Any Art History course above ARTHIST 102
- 4
In 3 different Art areas: Dance, Film, Music, Theatre
First Year Program
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 cumulative GPA required: | ||
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 106 | Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context | 3 |
| ART 108 | 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | 3 |
| ART 109 | 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique | 3 |
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BA Capstone | ||
| ART 501 | Studio Research, Practice, and Portfolio | 3 |
| ART 505 | BA Project | 3 |
| ART 604 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Major Requirements
Students in the Community Arts track are required to complete the 15-credit Cultures and Communities certificate program. Those credits can be counted as part of the University Core or as BA Directed Electives as desired in consultation with advising.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Studios | ||
| Select 9 credits of the following: | 9 | |
| Drawing II | ||
| Creative Technologies | ||
| Moving Images and Sound in Art & Design | ||
| Introduction to Design | ||
| Introduction to Typography | ||
| Introduction to Fibers | ||
| Introduction to Painting | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Sculpture | ||
| Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing | ||
| Design for Digital Fabrication | ||
| Introduction to Industrial Craft | ||
| Introduction to Ceramics | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking & Book Arts (subtitle) | ||
| Introduction to Art Education | ||
| Community Arts Core | ||
| ART 306 | Introduction to Community Art 1 | 3 |
| ART 406 | Community Arts II | 3 |
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: | 3 |
| or ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | |
| Studio Focus | ||
| Students must select 2 studio courses (6 credits) at the 300-level or above. Be aware of prerequisites, and choose Introductory Studios with prerequisite requirements in mind. | 6 | |
| Directed Electives | ||
| Select 27 credits from Peck School of the Arts or the University 2 | 27 | |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
- 1
Course number 150 Multicultural America (any discipline) is a prerequisite to ART 306, and can be taken as a Directed Elective or as a University Core class in the fall semester of the sophomore year.
- 2
Choose courses from Peck School of the Arts or the University. At least 15 credits must be at the 200 level or above. BA Community Arts students are required to complete the Cultures and Communities Certificate (15 credits total). Courses in Directed Electives should be chosen to count towards this certificate. Students should select their Cultures and Communities Certificate courses to include some classes above the 100-level. Some Art and Design courses in Community Arts program will also count towards the certificate.
Sophomore Proficiency Review (between 30-60 earned credits)
All sophomores are required to participate in the Sophomore Review. The review is designed to serve as an advisement opportunity to provide students direction as to how they might proceed through the program. Upon completing the review, students will plan their coursework within their studio pathway.
Plan of Study
Recommended Four-Year Sequence in Community Arts
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| (Includes OWC-A and QL-A Requirements) Students must be aware of the prerequisites for the 200-level course they wish to take in the second semester of the First Year and enroll in the appropriate First Year Program courses in fall. | ||
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 106 | Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context | 3 |
| ART 108 | 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | 3 |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 109 | 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique | 3 |
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Students are reminded that all First Year Program courses must be completed in the first 45 credits (usually in Fall semester of sophomore year). | ||
| 200-level studio in Art | 3 | |
| 200-level studio in Art | 3 | |
| ARTHIST 101 | Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture 3 | 3 |
| 150 Multicultural America (any discipline) 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Sophomore Proficiency Review: All sophomores are required to participate in the Sophomore Scholarship Competition. Students will be assigned a minimum of two faculty members to meet with to review their submitted artwork. The review is designed to give students critical feedback over their artwork and to serve as an advisement opportunity to provide students direction as to how they might proceed through the program. Upon completing the review, students may declare their focus. | ||
| 200-level Studio in Art | 3 | |
| ART 306 | Introduction to Community Art 4 | 3 |
| ARTHIST 102 | Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture 3 | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| 300-level and above Studio Concentration | 3 | |
| ART 406 | Community Arts II 4 | 3 |
| Art & Design History Choice: | 3 | |
| Design Survey | ||
| Photography Survey | ||
or any Art History above ARTHIST 102 | ||
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| 300-level and above Studio Concentration | 3 | |
| ART 309 or ART 509 | Issues in Contemporary Art: or Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 501 | Studio Research, Practice, and Portfolio | 3 |
| ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 505 | BA Project | 3 |
| ART 604 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Consult your academic advisor in the Peck School of the Arts Student Services Office for requirements in the Core Curriculum. PSOA Arts Distribution Requirement is part of the 45-credit Core: 9 credits outside of Art & Design, in 3 of the 4 other departments in PSOA: Dance, Music, Theatre, or Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres.
- 2
The 30 credits Directed Electives can be courses in Art & Design and/or other disciplines to be chosen in conjunction with Art & Design Undergraduate advisor, followed by faculty in the areas of interest. Courses required to satisfy the Cultures and Communities Certificate can be part of the Directed Electives or University Core. 150 Multicultural America is a prerequisite for ART 306, and is recommended as a Directed Elective.
- 3
Six credits (ARTHIST 101 and ARTHIST 102) count as Humanities GER.
- 4
ART 306 and ART 406 are stacked courses - one must be taken in a Spring semester and the other in a Fall semester in order to avoid repeated assignments.
Art & Design Undergraduate Admission Requirements
To be admitted in good standing, applicants (incoming freshmen and transfer students) must meet general University requirements. After being admitted to UWM and indicating Art as your chosen major, no further steps are required for acceptance into the Department of Art & Design.
Scholarships
Declared majors in Art & Design should fill out the general scholarship application and department application (if applicable) by logging in to the Panther Scholarship Portal.
In addition, incoming undergraduate students should visit the Peck School of the Arts scholarship page for details on portfolio submissions.
Advancement to Major
Students accepted into the Art & Design program receive priority registration over non-art majors. To advance to the Art & Design major, students must complete the requirements outlined below:
- Complete First Year Program courses (15 credits; see course list below).
- Oral and Written Communications Competency Part A (OWC-A).
- Quantitative Literacy Competency Part A (QL-A).
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Students pursuing the Design and Visual Communication BFA have additional requirements: complete ART 124, ART 221, and ART 223 with a B- or better; and pass the Design and Visual Communication Portfolio review.
- Students should complete the above to advance to major within the first 45 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 106 | Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context | 3 |
| ART 108 | 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | 3 |
| ART 109 | 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique | 3 |
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Appeal Process
An appeal process is established for students who do not meet the department's criteria for classification, GPA, and area of concentration enrollment management requirements. The appeal process will provide an opportunity for individual students to request advancement to the art major or enrollment into courses as exceptions to the department's enrollment policies based on defined, pre-determined conditions. All appeals are to be directed to the Undergraduate Advisor or PSOA advisor, who will forward the appeals to the department chair or appropriate appeals committee. The department chair or appeals committee will consult with the First Year Program Director, area head, faculty, advisors, and student if necessary before making a decision.
Art BA: Community Arts Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the BA in Community Arts from the Art & Design Program will be able to:
- Identify and describe artistic practices and artists across cultures.
- Apply technical proficiency in a range of art disciplines, with fluency in at least one medium.
- Implement art practices that integrate collaborative processes and social cooperation.
- Participate in service-learning experiences that involve extensively working directly in the Milwaukee community, and work as artists within grassroots organizations, community institutions, non-profit arts organizations, and educational institutions.
- Design and enact projects which emphasize social engagement, environmental issues, community building, public art, and murals.
Advising
Location: Theatre 120
Hours: M–Th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Fri. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed on university holidays)
Contact: 414-229-4763 | Contact Form
Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. At the Peck School of the Arts, we offer professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music and theatre.
Our advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist them in areas such as: degree requirements, major options, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and procedures, and more.
For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts advising and student services page.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.
College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.