The LSU School of Art seeks motivated, enthusiastic students regardless of previous background in the visual arts.The school offers students seven distinct artistic disciplines leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): ceramics, digital art, graphic design, painting & drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.(The art history program at LSU is interdepartmental: the undergraduate program in liberal arts lives within theCollege of Humanities & Social Sciences.)
Admission into the program for the Bachelor of Fine Arts is a selective, two-phase process.When students are accepted to LSU and indicate a preference for art as a major, they enter a first year of study composed of preliminary foundations courses in art and design.At the conclusion of the first year, students create aFoundations Portfolioand a discipline specific portfolio, the requirements of which are determined by the faculty of each individual studio area within the School of Art.Students apply to their chosen discipline through the process known asselective admissions.
The primary tool for identifying candidates to enter the first year at the School of Art is a review of high school academic GPA and ACT or SAT scores.However, students who think they would be better represented by a personal interview to show an existing portfolio should contact a counselor inStudent Servicesto schedule an on-campus meeting.Students who are approved for admission into the first year of study in the School of Art will be notified in writing.Students who are not approved may choose to pursue a minor in fine arts.
First Year of Study
The first year of study within the School of Art comprises a total of six studio art courses (18 credit hours) supplemented by courses in art history and general education.During the first semester, three core foundations courses are required for all students in the School of Art:
ART 1011 Two-Dimensional Design
ART 1012 Three-Dimensional Design
ART 1847 Drawing and Composition
Second-semester art courses should be selected based on the student's intended concentration.Students are encouraged to meet with a college counselor inStudent Servicesto determine the best path toward their degrees.Visit theFoundations Portfolio,Selective Admissions, andCurriculapages on this website for more information about portfolio requirements and required courses for each concentration area.
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other LSU programs and from other universities will be considered on a space-available basis.Transfer students are strongly encouraged to apply for admission by February 15 for entry in the fall semester.
Substitution credit for art courses taken elsewhere will be considered if they are equivalent to courses required for the curriculum.Consideration will also be given to courses taken through an art program accredited by NASAD.Transfer students are expected to submit a portfolio of work completed in relevant courses for evaluation by faculty within the chosen concentration.