University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, named after former University President and United States Senator J. William Fulbright, offers premier programs in the liberal arts at the University of Arkansas.

The College has adopted as its mission the following statement from Fulbright’s writings:

... the highest function of higher education is the teaching of things in perspective, toward the purposes of enriching the life of the individual, cultivating the free and inquiring mind, and advancing the effort to bring reason, justice, and humanity into the relations of men and nations.

Consisting of 19 academic departments, the College offers degrees in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Several departments and the Dean's Office are in Old Main, home to Fulbright College and for many, the most beloved symbol of higher education in Arkansas.

The art education program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with K-12 Arkansas state teacher certification and is accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

bachelor of fine arts (bfa)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts program is for those students who are looking for pre-professional training in the field of visual art. Students must have a 3.00 or higher grade point average in art courses and at least a 2.00 GPA overall before making application to the BFA program. In addition, you must complete the following foundation core classes: Drawing I, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts program is designed to offer students a more specialized program of study. Because there is a greater emphasis on art courses than in the BA program, the student graduates with a more intensive studio background. The BFA program allows students to work closely with instructors resulting in greater attention and advancement in the student's work. Depending on availability and seniority, there is some studio space available to upper level BFA students.

BFA students are required to participate in an individual critique of their work every semester. Each student puts up recent work for critique by faculty and other students. In addition, the BFA students are required to go on the annual trip to an urban art center. BFA trips in recent years have visited Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans, and Kansas City. There is also an annual exhibition of work by students in the BFA program, usually held late in the Spring semester.

The Studio Art MFA program at the University of Arkansas provides an intensive studio environment for committed individuals planning careers as practicing artists. Students enter the program in one of 7 media areas (Drawing, Design, Ceramics, Painting, Photography, Printmaking or Sculpture) but are encouraged to explore other media and work across disciplines.

The MFA in Studio Art is a three-year, full time, 60 credit hour program. While the individual program of study will vary, the emphasis is on studio work, supplemented by graduate studio seminars and coursework in art history.

by Jason Barnes

The objectives of the MFA program are:

• Professional achievement of high order
• A knowledge of art history and criticism
• Development of a fundamental understanding of the professional field of art and its relationship to supporting fields of knowledge.

The entire faculty is involved in the MFA program and participate in formal reviews. The faculty numbers approximately 15 full time and 6 part time and represent a variety of approaches to art-making.

Please note: While design is listed as a concentration, the MFA degree at the University of Arkansas is not well-suited to the graphic designer with a focus on commercial work. The work of all students will rely on personal expression and individually determined research to create a coherent body of artwork, not corporate-style work. Please see the theMFA General Guidelines page to understand more about the degree program.

The University of Arkansas Community Music School envisions a community of individuals enriched, educated, and inspired by lifelong musical opportunities.  Students of all ages, through their creative expression, will contribute to the musical life in the community.  By advocating lifelong learning in the arts, the Community Music School helps to regenerate the community's musical legacy, fosters an appreciation for the arts, and sets the stage for each future generation.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Music Major

Bachelor of Music - Music Education Degree, Choral Emphasis, Piano Major

Bachelor of Music - Music Education Degree, Choral Emphasis, Voice Major

Bachelor of Music - Music Education Degree, Instrumental, String Major

Bachelor of Music - Music Education Degree, Instrumental, WW / Brass / Percussion Major

Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition

Bachelor of Music Degree in Guitar Performance

Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance

Bachelor of Music Degree in String Performance

Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Theory

Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance

Bachelor of Music Degree in Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion Performance

Bachelor of Music Degree with Elective Studies in Business

Graduate Degree Programs

 Master of Music in Composition

Master of Music in Choral Conducting

Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting

Master of Music in Vocal Performance

Master of Music in Instrumental Performance

Master of Music in Keyboard Performance

Master of Music in Music Education

Master of Music in Music History

Master of Music in Music Theory