Curriculum

Studio Coursework

Artists working in today's world understand that their vision may take many forms: object-making, animation, film, or any combination of mediums they can imagine. The SMFA at Tufts' unique interdisciplinary, all-elective studio art curriculum is designed to help students embrace this approach. As you develop your artistic voice, your course of study will grow with you. Our approach involves unusual responsibility, challenging students to take charge of the process, push their limits, accept critiques, and seek help when it's needed. This freedom aids in the making of self-confident artists with unique sets of skills, supported by the kind of fearless curiosity that fosters groundbreaking art.

BFA students may take studio courses across the following areas of study: animation, ceramics, digital art, drawing, film, graphic arts, metals, painting, papermaking, performance, photography, printmaking, sculpture, sound, and video. The majority of BFA courses, including all studio and select liberal arts classes, are offered at the SMFA at Tufts Fenway campus.

Distribution Requirements

We believe that non-studio courses are equally important in shaping the path of an artist: they allow students to develop unique interests, root their art in research, and take advantage of Tufts' wide range of course offerings in the Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Writing Requirement

The development of written communication skills is fundamental to an undergraduate arts education. All BFA students are required to take two semesters of college writing in order to graduate. Most students complete this requirement by taking English 1 or English 3 in the first semester and English 2 or Philosophy 1 in the second semester.

History of Art

All BFA students are required to take 5 courses in the history of art as part of their academic requirements. In their first semester, first-time BFA students take Introduction to Visual and Critical Studies. The other 4 courses in the History of Art requirement can be satisfied by completing any courses in the Visual and Critical Studies department based on the Fenway campus or in the Art History department based on the Medford/Somerville campus. This allows students to choose art history courses from across disciplines and eras that support individual interests.

Language/Culture

There are a variety of ways the Language/Culture requirement can be satisfied including foreign language study or the study of a specific culture through courses taught in English.

Science/Technology

The BFA Science/Technology requirement can be satisfied by any course that meets the Mathematics or Natural Science requirement for Liberal Arts students.

In addition to the above distribution requirements, students must also complete 1 course in the Social Sciences and Humanities as well as 3 Liberal Arts elective courses, which can be any academic course offered on either the Fenway or Medford/Somerville campus. One Liberal Arts elective requirement can be satisfied by an art history course either through the Visual and Critical Studies department on the SMFA campus or the Art History department on the Medford/Somerville campus.

BFA Degree Requirements:

*One course is typically 2-4 semester hour units