Microsoft Word MU 2009-2010.doc - Methodist University

Evidence of these characteristics and potential for their continuing development is essential for theawarding of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Studio experiences are of prime importance in thepreparation of the student for a professional career in art or design and are emphasized with projectcritiques and discussion throughout all of the studio courses.Laptop Requirements (Hardware and Software)Graphic Design integrates computers in virtually every step of the design process from ideation todistribution and in a wide range of media from print to screen.The B.F.A. in Graphic Design degree program will require each student in his/her sophomore year topurchase an Apple laptop computer (the industry standard computing platform for graphic design) and therecommended Adobe and Apple resource software. Each sophomore graphic design student entering thefall semester must plan his or her purchases to ensure delivery of the hardware and software prior to thefirst day of class. It is highly recommended that prior to any purchase, students consult with the graphicdesign faculty.Adobe and Apple—the sources for most requirements—routinely release updated and new products.This can and most likely will occur close to the beginning of school or at the time of purchase. Pleasereview delivery dates on anything you plan to purchase. New products may have a delivery date well pastthe beginning of the semester. This would leave a student without a computer and/or software in requiredcourses.ADMISSION TO THE B.F.A. IN GRAPHIC DESIGN PROGRAMRationaleThe B.F.A. degree program is a highly selective and intense program specifically developed forstudents seeking a professional career as a visual artist. To begin to identify candidates for this program, theart department has developed an admission procedure that allows review of important information about anapplicant through quantitative measures, such as, class ranking, high school grades, and SAT scores, whilealso supplementing these measures heavily through the student’s creative work.This review allows the B.F.A. in Graphic Design Review Committee (to consist of art faculty andfaculty from other institutions and/or graphic artists within the field) to more directly understand thestudent’s creative and/or problem-solving processes, ways in which candidates observe and describe theworld visually through a variety of media, ways in which candidates show independent thinking, andinitiative.APPLICATION PROCESSEligibility1. Candidate must first officially declare an Art Major and be accepted into the B.A. (Bachelor of Artdegree program).• Must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA or above in all required art courses.• The following courses must be completed with a grade of ‘B’ or above: ARH 151: Language of Art;ART 101: Foundations I Design; ART 102: Foundations II Design; AGD 203: Foundations III 3-DDesign; ART 203: Foundations IV Drawing I; and AGD 200 Graphic Design Studio I.2. Candidate must be enrolled in AGD 301: B.F.A. Portfolio Review (1 s.h.) in the same semester as thefirst 300 level course. This class will help students create a portfolio packet for submission to theB.F.A. degree program which is an entirely separate degree from the B.A. in Art.3. Students passing AGD 301: B.F.A. Portfolio Review will need to complete a Change of Major Formto officially change the program of study from the B.A. degree to the B.F.A. degree.Those denied may apply again. A second denial means that the candidate must continue with the B.A.program.Transfer Students are eligible to apply for the B.F.A. in Graphic Design program provided they fulfilladmissions standards for the B.A. degree program in Art and those for the B.F.A. degree program. Thisincludes a review of a completed transfer course evaluation by the B.F.A. Program Review Committee.67