Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 Downtown Campus Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Downtown Campus Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

BA versus BFA degree table


The College of Arts & Media offers bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degrees in the areas of fine arts and theatre, film and television. Students wishing to pursue a major in fine arts or theatre, film and television must choose between a BA and BFA. This table explains the difference between a BA and BFA degree and is designed to assist students in selecting the best degree for their vocational goals. Please visit the departmental sections of this catalog for curricular information.
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Program Type Liberal Arts: Students have opportunities to combine their artistic interests with other areas offered in the university such as science and writing. The course work completed in the arts gives an excellent technical, conceptual, creative and aesthetic foundation that, when combined with other academic disciplines in the university, helps students develop into well-rounded artists and scholars. Professional: General education courses provide a well-rounded education, preparing students with a solid foundation. The major foundation courses provide the base from which students select an emphasis and complete rigorous and in-depth course work, providing students the opportunity to discover their own artistic voice and graduate with a greater level of artistic development.
General Requirements 120 total credits, of which 45 credits must be taken at the upper-division (3000/4000) level. 120 total credits, of which 45 credits must be taken at the upper-division (3000/4000) level.
General Education 34 credits of general education credits are required. 34 credits of general education credits are required; some courses may be specified by major.
Foreign Language Through second year in high school or second semester at the college level with sufficient grades. Through second year in high school or second semester at the college level with sufficient grades.
Major Credits 45-48 major credits required as specified by emphasis. 73 major credits required as specified by emphasis.
General Electives General elective credits are required. Theatre, film and television students are required to complete 9 “other arts” credits as part of their general elective credits. See advising sheets for specific credit requirements. None required.
Minor Requirement Minors are not required for any program. Minors are not required for any program.
Emphases

Visual art majors must choose an emphasis:

• Art history
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Sculpture

Theatre, film and television

majors do not select a

specified emphasis.

Visual art majors must choose an emphasis:

• 3-D animation1
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Multimedia
• Sculpture

Theatre, film and television majors must choose an emphasis:

• Performance
• Design
• Production, development and direction
• Writing/directing2
• Cinematography2
• Postproduction2

Capstone Experience A senior-level capstone experience pulls together acquired knowledge in projects and/or portfolios that exhibit their strengths and specialization, preparing them for the next phase of their academic and professional careers. Students complete the same capstone experiences as noted in the BA with additional requirements:
Visual arts: exhibit in the BFA thesis exhibit
Theatre, film and TV: produce digital portfolio
Prepares Students To pursue graduate-level degrees (MA and PhD) in academic and studio fields and to work in arts and non-arts related fields. To pursue MFA and PhD degrees and to work as a professional artist, commercial artist and non-arts related fields.
Timeline Degrees are designed to be completed in four years for students beginning as freshmen. Students may be able to complete the degree requirements in as few as two years depending on emphasis, transfer credits and summer school. Degrees are designed to be completed in four years for students beginning as freshmen. Regardless of summer school or transfer credits, students should expect to complete courses over a three- to four-year period, depending on major and emphasis, due to course sequencing.
1 Tuition for emphasis courses exceeds main campus tuition; contact CAMadvising@ucdenver.edu for specifics.
2 May require students to begin their studies at the Community College of Aurora. See the departmental section of this catalog for information.