Art (Painting, Drawing and Printmaking), BFA
Gain hands-on experience in painting and drawing and explore a variety of materials, techniques and subjects. You have unparalleled opportunities to study art, enabling you to reach the highest level of research, learning, production and critical thinking.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Any math course that meets the MATH designation.
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
This program's name has changed effective Fall 2026. The previous name was Art (Painting and Drawing).
Degree description
Art (Painting, Drawing and Printmaking) degree description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts program in art with a concentration in painting, drawing and printmaking provides you with a foundation of skills and knowledge that draws connections between traditional methods and emerging art practices. You develop the ability to think critically and communicate through your art. You gain proficiency in a wide spectrum of approaches, including watercolor, oil painting, figure drawing and mural painting, to advance ideas and discourses.
The curriculum emphasizes conceptual and material knowledge, interdisciplinary research and professional mentorship. Distinguished faculty provide expertise across an array of distinct areas within the field of contemporary art, including abstraction, realism, figuration and installation art. Capstone research courses guide you through the process of developing a portfolio of completed works and provide practical experience for presenting art in a variety of professional contexts.
In addition to learning in the classroom, the program is enriched by arts organizations and cultural institutions that provide you with the opportunity to build your professional network through fellowships, internships and residencies. The program is further augmented by public events supported by the School of Art galleries, the ASU Art Museum, the Ceramics Research Center and Archive, and Pyracantha Press.
You should visit the painting, drawing and printmaking areas of study page to learn more about the program. To engage the school's creative community, you can subscribe to the School of Art newsletters and follow the school on social media.
Why specialize in painting, drawing and printmaking at ASU?
This painting, drawing and printmaking concentration integrates three disciplines often taught separately at other universities. You develop technical depth across painting, drawing and the full range of printmaking processes within a single BFA program, reflecting the plurality of contemporary art making.
At Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, you work with faculty whose expertise spans abstraction, realism, figuration and installation art. Visiting artists of national stature provide lectures and individual critiques each year, connecting you to current scholarship and professional practice.
You have access to Pyracantha Press, a resource found at virtually no other undergraduate concentration in the country. You can study in six dedicated painting and drawing studios and a full suite of printmaking facilities with direct access to the largest type collection in North American higher education and an 1834 Columbian press. In addition, the Phoenix Valley exhibition and internship ecosystem gives you opportunities to build your professional network and present your work in public settings throughout the metropolitan area.
Additional details
You can join A Bunch of Book Artists, an interdisciplinary student organization focused on making, exhibiting and promoting contemporary artist books. The club welcomes undergraduates, graduate students and independent artists of all experience levels who are interested in the book as an art form.
You can also collaborate with peers from all School of Art concentrations, with cross-disciplinary work actively encouraged alongside photography, ceramics, expanded arts and sculpture students.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| ARS 201 Art of Asia |
| ARA 396 Professional Practices for Design and the Arts |
| ARA 240 Encounters with Contemporary Art |
| ART 108 Digital Literacy for the Arts |
| ART 111 Foundation Drawing |
| ART 113 Pictorial Investigations and Color Theory |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Create artwork for exhibitions in galleries, museums and other venues demonstrating technical artistic abilities and conceptual development.
- Demonstrate professional preparedness by developing a comprehensive toolkit for self-promotion that will position them for success in the field of art and design.
- Create a cohesive body of artwork organized and shared in a professional digital portfolio.
Create artwork for exhibitions in galleries, museums and other venues demonstrating technical artistic abilities and conceptual development.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Global Education programs provide an opportunity for students to explore their creative side through an intercultural lens, deepen their understanding of the world and gain valuable career-building experiences. Study abroad can be a vital accompaniment to any art concentration, allowing for broad historical and archaeological explorations. Students develop insight into the cultures and minds of some of the world's most notable artists when they experience the places that gave rise to specific artistic styles.
With more than 300 options available, Global Education programs give students a breadth of knowledge in arts and culture distinctly different from their own. Study abroad encourages students to broaden their intercultural sensitivity, communication skills, and leadership ability, and develop their personal and professional self-confidence. Students who participate in global education programs learn to adapt and persevere, and grow along the way.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animator | -0.3% | $102,030 | Learn more |
| Art Professor | 2.2% | $78,620 | Learn more |
| Craft Artist | 2.0% | $46,080 | Learn more |
| Fine Artist | -2.9% | $55,490 | Learn more |
| Graphic Designer | -1.7% | $62,960 | Learn more |
| High School Teacher | -0.2% | $72,040 | Learn more |
| Performance Artist | 2.0% | $71,240 | Learn more |
| Talent Agent | 9.7% | $82,890 | Learn more |
| Video Game Designer | 6.0% | $104,000 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this painting, drawing and printmaking concentration prepares you for
An art degree offers graduates a pathway to creative careers as artists, scholars and educators in the public and private spheres. Artists find employment as practitioners in the field through commercial galleries, public art commissions, private collectors and cultural institutions. Possible positions include museum or gallery professional, art dealer, art director, private art instructor, studio artist and community-based artist. Possible venues include health care settings, nonprofit agencies, and local and national public arts organizations. Other options for graduates include working at arts agencies and public art programs, gaining admission to prestigious graduate programs, and setting up their own art businesses. The skills acquired to produce art also have a wide variety of applications beyond the arts.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Art
|
ART 102
herbergeradvising@asu.edu
480-965-8521
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
