Studio Art, B.A.

Saint Louis University's studio art program provides students with experience and guidance in creating art. Students explore their individual artistic abilities while learning to understand and appreciate art in a global context. Connections across disciplines and cultural differences help students to gain a conceptual and intellectual framework for their art. Students leave with a portfolio of work and an appreciation of the development of their own values and creative skills as well as an understanding of the artistic processes, expressions and values of others.

Studio art at Saint Louis University provides an opportunity to gain artistic skill and knowledge in a wide variety of artistic media within the rigorous and supporting framework of a Catholic, Jesuit University.

All courses offered in the studio art program are taught by student-focused faculty, not graduate assistants. That means all majors and minors in studio art will study and interact directly with faculty, who are active and professional members of their artistic field.

Saint Louis University houses two nationally recognized art museums: the Saint Louis University Museum of Art (SLUMA) and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA). SLU students, faculty and visiting artists display work in the McNamee Art Gallery, located on the ground floor of historic Cupples House. SLU is near the Grand Center Arts district where the Contemporary Art Museum and the Pulitzer are located. The Saint Louis Art Museum, located in Forest Park less than two miles from campus, is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums.

Curriculum Overview

Courses are offered in ceramics, computer art, drawing, fibers, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Studio art majors can concentrate in these emphasis areas: ceramics, sculpture, social practice, computer art, drawing, graphic design, painting and printmaking.

Through hands-on experience, students develop observational skills and expand their understanding of artmaking. The process of making art fosters an investigation of personal beliefs and spiritual reflection. Artistic growth is celebrated through student art exhibits and documented in student portfolios.

SLU's B.A. in Studio Art requires 36 credits in foundational courses, an emphasis area with upper-division studios, studio art electives, studio seminars, portfolio reviews and art history classes.

Studio art majors will choose from one of seven emphases:

• Ceramics
• Sculpture
• Computer Art
• Drawing
• Graphic Design
• Painting
• Printmaking

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Students may take advantage of opportunities for real-world art experience through internships at graphic design agencies, museums, galleries, magazines, newspapers and other companies. Internships may be done solely for a student’s own experience or for academic credit.

Careers

Graduates with a B.A. in Studio Art may work in galleries or museums, as designers, consultants, professional artists or art educators. They may also pursue further studies in Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts programs.

Admission Requirements

Freshman

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.

Begin Your Application

Transfer

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.

International Applicants

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Portfolios

Admission as a studio art major requires a successful portfolio review. Applicants register and submit their portfolio on SlideRoom. Portfolios should have 12 to 15 examples of artwork representing a range of interests and skills, including observation-based drawing. SlideRoom charges applicants a $10 transaction fee to submit a portfolio.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

Accreditation

The Studio Art program has been continuously accredited since 2011 by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

1. Graduates will be able to produce work that is substantial and well developed in a chosen medium.
2. Graduates will be able to compose in two and three dimensions.
3. Graduates will be able to utilize drawing as a means for conceptual development.
4. Graduates will be able to create work with awareness and application of the creative process.
5. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to create artwork independently.

 Studio Art students must complete a minimum of 36 credits for the major.

Ceramics Emphasis

Computer Art Emphasis

Drawing Emphasis

Graphic Design Emphasis

Painting Emphasis

Printmaking Emphasis

Sculpture Emphasis

Non-Course Requirements

All Studio Art majors must submit a portfolio of artwork for faculty review as part of Studio Sophomore Seminar which should be taken sophomore year (or, in extenuating cases, the first semester of junior status with faculty mentor approval).

After successfully passing the Studio Sophomore Seminar, majors choose an emphasis area and enroll in 3000-level classes. The Studio Emphasis areas are Drawing, Painting, Ceramics/Sculpture, Printmaking, Computer Art, and Graphic Design.

Community Participation

Studio Art majors are expected to actively participate in the SLU art community by submitting work to all student art exhibitions and helping to host these exhibitions.

Continuation Standards

• Studio Sophomore Seminar must be passed in order to continue in the Studio Art Major.
• A student must maintain a 2.00 GPA in major coursework.

Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses [numbered below 1000]).
• Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
• Complete Major Requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or elective credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Nation, Identity and Literature (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses.
  
  In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
• Complete department/program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes