Degree Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art degree from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and school degree requirements. The Art Degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
A portfolio review is required prior to acceptance as an Art major.
Course List
Code | Title | Hours |
| 24 |
| 33 |
| 61 |
| 10-11 |
DLG 120 | UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar (Required of new freshmen only) a | 1 |
Total Hours | 129 |
First Year Program
Students are required to take ART 101 and choose five 100-level, studio-based courses from the six that are offered for a total of 24 hours.
Course List
Code | Title | Hours |
ART 101 | Signifying Practices: Art and Visual Culture | 4 |
| 20 |
| Introduction to Drawing | |
| Introduction to Painting + Color | |
| Introduction to Sculpture | |
| Introduction to New Media Arts | |
| Introduction to Digital Photography | |
| Introduction to Filmmaking | |
Total Hours | 24 |
General Education and Foundation Courses
Course List
Code | Title | Hours |
ENGL 160 | Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts | 3 |
ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
a | 3 |
a | 3 |
a,b | 4 |
a | 3 |
a | 3 |
AH 110 | World History of Art and the Built Environment I c | 4 |
AH 111 | World History of Art and the Built Environment II c | 4 |
AH 160 | Trends in International Contemporary Art Since 1960 c | 3 |
Total Hours | 33 |
Art Major Requirements
Students must consult with faculty advisors for approval of concentration and elective courses each semester.
Course List
Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| 24 |
ART 401 | Senior Projects: Critique | 6 |
ART 402 | Senior Projects: Thesis | 6 |
AH 201 | Reading and Writing Art Criticism | 3 |
| 6 |
Total Hours | 61 |
Electives outside the Department of Art
Course List
Code | Title | Hours |
a | 10-11 |
Total Hours | 10-11 |
UIC First Year Dialogue Seminar
Course List
Code | Title | Hours |
DLG 120 | UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar | 1 |
Total Hours | 1 |
Sample Course Schedule
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year |
Fall Semester |
ENGL 160 |
Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts |
3 |
ART 112 |
Introduction to Drawing |
4 |
ART 170 |
Introduction to Filmmaking |
4 |
ART 101 |
Signifying Practices: Art and Visual Culture |
4 |
| Hours | 15 |
Spring Semester |
ENGL 161 |
Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research |
3 |
DLG 120 |
UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar (Required of new freshmen only) |
1 |
ART 160 |
Introduction to Digital Photography |
4 |
ART 130 |
Introduction to Painting + Color |
4 |
ART 150 |
Introduction to New Media Arts |
4 |
| Hours | 15-16 |
Sophomore Year |
Fall Semester |
AH 110 |
World History of Art and the Built Environment I |
4 |
Concentration Course |
4 |
Concentration Course |
4 |
Understanding U.S. Society course |
3 |
Exploring World Cultures course |
3 |
| Hours | 18 |
Spring Semester |
AH 111 |
World History of Art and the Built Environment II |
4 |
Art Elective |
4 |
Concentration Course |
4 |
Understanding the Individual and Society course |
3 |
Understanding the Past course |
3 |
| Hours | 18 |
Junior Year |
Fall Semester |
AH 160 |
Trends in International Contemporary Art Since 1960 |
3 |
Concentration Course |
4 |
Art Elective |
4 |
General Elective |
3 |
General Elective |
3 |
| Hours | 17 |
Spring Semester |
AH 201 |
Reading and Writing Art Criticism |
3 |
Art Elective |
4 |
Art Elective |
4 |
Analyzing Natural World course |
4 |
| Hours | 15 |
Senior Year |
Fall Semester |
ART 401 |
Senior Projects: Critique |
6 |
AH Elective |
3 |
General Elective |
3 |
General Elective |
2 |
| Hours | 14 |
Spring Semester |
ART 402 |
Senior Projects: Thesis |
6 |
AH Elective |
3 |
Art Elective |
4 |
Art Elective |
4 |
| Hours | 17 |
| Total Hours | 129 |