Art + Design Undergraduate Programs
Art + Design Undergraduate Programs
Choosing the right college and creative environment to pursue a visual arts education is a difficult task.
We are excited that as a creative and motivated person you have decided to attend Central Washington University and join us in the Department of Art + Design. During your time at Central you will work with faculty members who are professional artists and designs as well as scholars in their field. The Art + Design faculty are recognized for their work regionally, nationally and internationally. We are successful practicing artists and designers and are passionate about interacting with creative students such as you. Schedule a tour of the department to see what we are all about.
Art + Design Degrees Offered
Our studio areas include: Ceramics, Drawing, Graphic Design, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Wood Design.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (with a Graphic Design or Studio Art specialization)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a professional degree that focuses on intensive work in art + design supported by the university’s General Education program. The BFA Degree requires 110 credits in art + design coursework and provides a more in-depth program of study in the graphic design or studio art concentration while also allowing for some experimentation in several arts media.
Bachelor of Arts in Art
The Bachelor of Arts in Art (BA) is a liberal arts degree that focuses on the study of art, design, and art history supported by the university’s General Education program. The BA in Art degree requires 75 credits in art + design coursework and allows more easily the combination of a second major, a minor or just a selection of various courses from a range of departments at CWU.
Bachelor of Arts in Art Education
The Bachelor of Arts in Art Education satisfies the endorsement for visual arts. It is a comprehensive K-12 visual art program that qualifies students to teach art at both the elementary and secondary levels. The program adheres to the guidelines for endorsement compliance by the national Art Education Association Standards for Art Teacher preparation and is an approved endorsement by the Professional Educator Standards Board for Washington. Students taking this major are required to apply to the Teacher Certification Program and complete the Secondary Education program offered through the Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Department.
Admission Requirements
All new Art and Design majors can select from any of the degree programs, BA in Art, BA in Art Education, BFA Studio Art or BFA Graphic Design.To continue in the BFA degree programs (Graphic Design or Studio Art) students must:
- Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all Art and Design classes.
- Present to the faculty a portfolio of work during a Junior year review.
CWU News
CWU ceramics graduate discovers her true self through art
June 18, 2024 by Rune Torgersen
CWU faculty member awarded Fulbright post-doctoral scholarship
February 23, 2026 by David Leder