Bachelor of Arts Art with a Major in Visual Studies (BA)

The BA degree with a major in Visual Studies cultivates the exploration of human experience through the visual arts by encouraging students to engage with the histories of art making, materials and vehicles of expression, design principles, and best practices in business administration and communication. The BA in Visual Studies major offers students a broad, yet comprehensive education in art practice, history, theory, administration, and business. This degree teaches students a broad collection of skills applicable to diverse fields or professions in the arts. Although the curriculum for the Visual Studies major is centered on the arts, these are transferrable to any profession. The degree supports the College of Art & Letters mission to: 1) introduce students to the full range of human experience through the study of cultural heritage, forms of artistic expression, and methods of critical inquiry; and 2) prepare students for rigorous, intellectual, and creative inquiry leading to their full development as human beings and to their responsible engagement with society.

Requirements

Lower-Division General Education

Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring a major in visual studies.

Language and Culture: Proficiency through 202 level in French, German, Italian, Latin or Spanish; note that proficiency is not met by completion of an associate degree.

 Neither ARTH 121A nor ARTS 122A may be used to satisfy the Human Creativity requirement.

The Impact of Technology requirement may be fulfilled in the major with ARTH 435W.

Upper-Division General Education (minimum 6 credit hours)

• Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 credit hours; also second degree or second major
• Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 credit hours (3 credit hours may be in the major area of study)
• Option C. An approved certification program, such as teaching licensure (hours vary)
• Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses (6 credit hours) from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Social Science Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major. 

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for graduation include the following:

• Minimum of 120 credit hours.
• Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
• Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
• Completion of Senior Assessment.

Visual Studies Major

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 C or better required.

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These courses may not be used to meet the upper-division general education requirement, and they do not count towards the major GPA.

Completion of requirements for lower-division general education, upper-division general education and the major would entail 89 to 104 credits toward the 120 credits required for graduation. The remaining credit hours may be met with any university course the student is qualified to take, including additional courses in art.

Additional Requirements and Information

Transfer Requirements

For the BA degree in visual studies, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Old Dominion University.  These 30 credits must include a minimum of 21 studio credit hours that include 12 credit hours at the 300/400 levels. 

For the BA degree in art history, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Old Dominion University, which must include a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 300/400 levels.

A minimum of 36 credit hours in studio art (with 12 minimum at the 300/400 levels) from Old Dominion University is required for all BFA majors except art education.

For the BFA with majors in art education, 33 credit hours in studio art and 12 credits hours in art history are required along with 15 credit hours in art education.  The 15 credit hour core curriculum in art education must be completed at ODU, unless transferred from a CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) and approved by the program director. Art history and 200-level studio credits may be transferable, with approval from the Art Department chief departmental advisor. Transferable course requirements pertaining to licensure that come from the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies professional education coursework must be approved through the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies if they do not meet the already pre-approved transferable courses.

For a minor in either art history, studio arts or studio art photography, transfer students must complete two elective courses in art history at the 300/400 level at Old Dominion University.

Before registering for classes, transfer students who enroll in the BFA (all majors) or the BA in visual studies must submit a portfolio of work for review by the Art Department chief departmental advisor who will determine which transferable courses will meet equivalent requirements in the major.  Transfer students for the BFA with majors in art education must also be approved by the art education program director who will determine which transferable art education and professional courses will meet equivalent requirements in the major and those that must still be completed for licensure. Appointments for transfer portfolio evaluations must be made prior to registration for classes.

Degree Program Guide

The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years.  It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor.  Additional information can also be found in Degree Works. 

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Grade of C or better required

Linked Bachelor's in Art, Visual Studies and Fine Arts and MA in Humanities

The linked bachelor's programs in art history, visual studies and fine arts and the MA in humanities make it possible for exceptional students to count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both an undergraduate and graduate degree.  Students must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).  Please refer to the Humanities section of this Catalog for additional information on the linked programs.

BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program

The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study.  The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree.  Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree.  Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).  Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study.  Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.

BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program

The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student.  The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree.  The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major.  Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year.  Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).

Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog.  For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.