BFA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art – Studio

A Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in Art Studio is a professional degree program for artists seriously interested in the evolution of their artistic expression. This program will require you to contend with yourself as an artist by fostering your dedication, the definition of your point of view, your ideas, and the quality of your ways of expression.

Fall 2025 Deadlines

First-Time in College Students seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio must submit a portfolio for review. Portfolios are submitted electronically through Slideroom (fiuart.slideroom.com).

Fall 2025 Portfolio Submissions open September 2. The final portfolio deadline is February 25 and the final decisions will be released no later than March 31.

Freshmen Students

FIU Application and BFA Portfolio Deadlines

  • Deadline 1: November 1st | Decision Date: December 11th
  • Deadline 2: December 3rd | Decision Date: January 22nd
  • Deadline 3: February 25th | Decision Date: March 31st

FIU’s Art + Art History Department is a member of the National Portfolio Day Association. Students wishing to learn how to create their best portfolio may find more information Click Here

Transfer and Current FIU Students (Fall Only)

FIU Application and BFA Portfolio Deadline

  • Deadline 3 – February 25th | Decision Date: March 31st

Transfer applicants and current FIU students applying to change majors submit portfolios to SlideRoom here: fiuart.slideroom.com

Degree Program Hours: 120

Artist: Monia Meluzi Title: Flag Year: 2022 Medium: Cardboard, steel, thread, paint
Monia Meluzi - Flag , 2022

Cardboard, steel, thread, paint

SlideRoom Portfolio Submissions: fiuart.slideroom.com

Portfolio submission fee $30 charged by SlideRoom

20 Artworks uploaded to SlideRoom

  • Images must be .jpg at the highest available quality (must be under 8MB each)
  • Videos: excerpts or preferably complete works (max. 3 minutes total runtime). Videos hosted on YouTube or Vimeo can be shared through url link.
  • Audio: excerpts or preferably complete works submitted as .mp3 (max. 3 minutes total runtime). Each individual file should be less than 30 MB. Audio files hosted on SoundCloud can be shared via url link.
  • The following label information must be entered in SlideRoom for each artwork uploaded.
    • Title
    • Dimensions / Duration (video/audio files)
    • Medium
    • Date Produced
    • Additional notes in the “Description” textbox.

Artist’s Statement

Your statement should be approximately 500 words maximum. Write with attention to grammar, spelling, and clarity.

Your statement should tell us about the work you have submitted. Why did you make it and what inspired you? How and with what? Describe your artistic process. Share why you’ve chosen to work using certain materials and processes. Have you participated in exhibitions or other art-related events? How have specific experiences contributed to the way you make art?

Transfer Applicants & Current FIU Students: Upload Unofficial Transcripts

Transfer applicants and current FIU Students are required to upload a copy of their unofficial transcripts. The Department will review the unofficial transcripts to confirm if the degree prerequisites have been completed. Eligibility for consideration to the BFA program is contingent on having the degree prerequisite courses – emphasis on the four foundation courses: ART 1201C, ART 1203C, ART 2300C, and ART 2330C.

New incoming Transfer applicants without these foundation courses, including those who completed the four courses but failed to meet the Academic Standard of 2.75 GPA may be considered ineligible for the BFA.

Portfolios are reviewed by a committee of faculty members. Decision notifications are generally sent out within a month of each deadline closing.

Important information: Eligibility for submitting BFA Portfolio

Current FIU Students interested in switching over into one of the BFA degree options must be below 75 credits earned and must have already completed the four foundations course requirements. The four foundations courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.75 as per the BFA Academic Standards.

  • ART 1201C 2D Design
  • ART 1203C 3D Design
  • ART 2300C Beginning Drawing
  • ART 2330C Beginning Figure Drawing

Academic Standards

To progress into upper-division BFA courses, students must complete the four lower division foundation courses (12 credits) with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or greater in two attempts or fewer.

These courses include:

  • ART 1201C 2D Design
  • ART 1203C 3D Design
  • ART 2300C Beginning Drawing
  • ART 2330C Beginning Figure Drawing

Drops after the add/drop period, which result in a DR grade are considered an attempt in the course and count as an unsuccessful enrollment. Students who do not satisfy this requirement will be advised to change major to other degrees such as BA in Art History or BA in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Common Prerequisite Courses and Equivalencies

FIU Course(s)Equivalent Course(s)
ARH 2050ARHX0507
ARH 2051ARHX051(3, 7)
ART 1201CARTX201 or ARTXXXX1
ART 1203CARTX202 or ARTX203 or ARTXXXX2
ART 2300CARTX300
ART 2330CARTX301 or ARTX3303 or ARTX2054 or ARTX3105 or ARTX3056
ART 2XXXARTXXXX
ART 2XXXARTXXXX
  1. 2D
  2. Design II, 3D
  3. Figure drawing
  4. Color, color composition
  5. Intermediate drawing
  6. Observational
  7. All courses except ARHX050 and ARHX051 require a “C” or higher.

Courses which form part of the statewide articulation between the State University System and the Florida College System will fulfill the Lower Division Common Prerequisites. Please visit https://cpm.flvc.org for a current list of state-approved common prerequisites.

Lower Division Requirements24 Credits
ARH 2050 Art History Survey I3
ARH 2051 Art History Survey II3
ART 1201C 2-D Design3
ART 1203C 3-D Design3
ART 2300C Beginning Drawing3
ART 2330C Beginning Figure Drawing3
Studio Electives6

Upper Division Requirements60 Credits
ARH 4450 Modern Art3
ARH 4470 Contemporary Art – GL3
Art History Electives6
ART 3820 Research & Development – GL3
ART 3822 Creative Practice3
ART 4952C Thesis I3
ART 4953C Thesis II3
Studio Electives27
Advisor Approved Electives9

* Indicates courses common across tracks within BFA Digital Arts degree.

FIU is committed to excellence in student success, research and teaching, regardless of the challenges.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Art + Art History

Department of Art + Art History
Florida International University
VH 216, Modesto A. Maidique Campus – Miami, Florida 33199
Tel: (305)-348-2897

Christopher Barake

Christopher Rodriguez Barake
Sr. Coordinator of Academic Support Services
Department of Art + Art History
Office: 305-348-6648 Email: crodri@fiu.edu

Maida Purdy

Maida Purdy
Academic Advisor III
Department of Art + Art History
Office: 305-348-7500 Email: mapurd@fiu.edu

Lauren Gentile

Lauren Gentile
Academic Advisor II
Department of Art + Art History
Office: 305-348-7500 Email: lgentile@fiu.edu

University Graduate School
Modesto A. Maidique Campus, MARC 240
11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami, FL 33199
Phone: (305) 348-2455 | Fax: (305) 348-3433
Email: ugs@fiu.edu Website: https://admissions.fiu.edu/how-to-apply/graduate-applicant/index.html