Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in studio arts offers an academically well-rounded approach to a visual arts education. As a liberal arts program, it is especially suited to the art student who has diverse interests in areas other than visual art. Although the emphasis remains on studio art practice, students in the BA program also have the opportunity to pursue a variety of elective courses, minors, or even other majors outside of the USC Roski School of Fine Arts, in areas as wide-ranging as business, communications, psychology, creative writing, music, or neuroscience. (Depending on the complexity of a second major or minor, time to graduation may be extended.)
Approximately eleven courses in studio art are required for the BA, including three required one-semester foundational courses in drawing, two-dimensional design, and sculpture (or three-dimensional design). All art majors are also required to take two art history courses and three art theory and criticism courses. University requirements include six general education courses, three courses in a foreign language (foreign language can be waived with a test), two writing courses, and one diversity course. There is no math requirement for a degree in studio art. A grade of C or higher is required in all major courses.
The BA program allows for about four or five elective courses, which can be taken in any area in the university outside of art.