Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Art > Program Requirements

Fine Art
(Bachelor of Arts Degree)

The Department of Art believes that in the rapidly evolving world of the creative arts, those students who have mastered basic technical skills and analytical theories are the ones best prepared to succeed in the creative arts. The fine art major therefore requires students have a broad foundational experience in the visual arts prior to providing students with the opportunity for in-depth experience necessary for graduate study or employment in arts related fields.

A student who graduates from Thiel with a major in fine arts will:
• have a comprehensive foundational experience in the visual arts.
• possess an aesthetic value system and critical skills necessary in creating and evaluating fine art.
• possess a basic knowledge of the history of art and the role of the arts in contemporary society.
• possess basic art making skills necessary for post-baccalaureate graduate study or employment in arts-related fields.

All fine art majors must participate in a “Sophomore Portfolio” review process where declared majors meet with the art faculty to evaluate their progress and establish goals/ expectations for their future studies. The Senior Seminar serves as a “capstone” course for all fine art majors. Students will focus on creating work for the senior exhibition as well as generating a thesis statement summarizing their experience at Thiel. A senior exhibition of art work is a graduation requirement for all fine art majors.

Fine Art Major Requirements
Candidates for the fine art major will be expected to complete the six prescribed foundational drawing, painting and sculpture classes by the second semester of their junior year, and are encouraged to complete the 100- and 200-level art history requirements by that time as well.

ART 110	Drawing I	4 CH
ART 210	Drawing II	4 CH
ART 120	Painting I	4 CH
ART 220	Painting II	4 CH
ART 130	Sculpture I	4 CH
ART 230	Sculpture II	4 CH
Art Elective	200 or 300 level	4 CH
Art History	100 level	3 CH
Art History	200 level	3 CH
Art History	300 level	3 CH
ART 401	Senior Seminar	4 CH
	TOTAL 41 CH

BA Fine Art Major Recommended 4-year schedule
• Items in boldface type are strongly recommended to be taken during prescribed semester. Items in italics with ** may have more flexibility regarding scheduling.
• Students should complete Drawing I and II by the end of their freshman year. Painting I, Sculpture I and Art History I and II are to be completed by the end of the students sophomore year.
• Sophomore Review to be taken during the student’s fourth semester.
• Senior Seminar to be taken spring semester of senior year. Students graduating in December must take the seminar the spring semester prior to graduation.

First year, first semster		First year, second semester
Drawing I FYS College Algebra Western Humanities I Oral & Written Expression I		Drawing II Sculpture I Oral & Written Expression II Western Humanities II
Second year, third semester		Second year, fourth semester
Painting I Art History I Science & Our Global Heritage I Foreign Language I		Painting II and/or Sculpture II** Art History II Foreign Language II Scriptures (WIC) or Lab Science** Sophomore Review
Third year, fifth semester		Third year, sixth semester
Drawing III (300 level elective)** 19th Century Art History (WIC) Art elective** (Printmaking or Intro. to Graphic Design) Group IV elective (WIC)		Painting II or III** OR: Sculpture II or III (or a combination)** American Art History (WIC) Group IV elective (WIC) Scriptures (WIC) or Lab Science**
Fourth year, seventh semester		Fourth year, eighth semester
Art elective** (Printmaking or Intro. to Graphic Design) Group IV elective (WIC) Taking Care of Your Health Physical Education class		Senior Seminar Painting III, Sculpture III, or Drawing III** Physical Education class Electives

Fine Arts Minor Requirements
The fine art minor is a focused course of study with course requirements appropriate to the minor level of study. The fine art minor establishes an appropriately broad yet flexible foundation which best suits the needs of students who are pursuing art in conjunction with another major or simply as a secondary interest. The Senior Seminar serves as a “capstone” course for all art majors and minors. Students will focus on creating work for the senior exhibition as well as generating a thesis statement summarizing their
experience at Thiel. A senior exhibition of art work is a graduation requirement for all fine art minors.

ART 110	Drawing I	4 CH
ART 210	Drawing II	4 CH
ART 120	Painting I	4 CH
ART 130	Sculpture I	4 CH
Art Elective	200 or 300 level	4 CH
Art History	100 level	3 CH
Art History	200 level	3 CH
ART 401	Senior Seminar	4 CH
	TOTAL 30 CH

Commercial Art
(Bachelor of Arts Degree)
The commercial art major builds on Thiel College’s long-standing relationship with the Art Institute of Pittsburgh (AIP) and requires that students complete the equivalent of one year’s academic study at AIP, usually in the junior year. The commercial art major represents a more focused course of study with logical and appropriate course offerings that establish a broad but flexible foundation necessary for students in preparation for careers in the commercial arts.

A student who graduates from Thiel College with a major in commercial art will:
• have a foundational experience in the visual arts.
• possess basic art making skills and related technology necessary for post baccalaureate/graduate study or employment in arts-related fields.
• possess an aesthetic value system and critical thinking skills necessary in creating and evaluating commercial art.
• possess a basic knowledge of the history of art and the role of the arts in contemporary society.

All commercial art majors must participate in a “Sophomore Portfolio” review process where declared majors meet with the art faculty to evaluate their progress and establish goals/expectations for their future studies at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The Senior Seminar serves as a “capstone” course creating work for the senior exhibition as well as generating a thesis statement summarizing their experience at Thiel. A senior exhibition of art work/project presentations is a graduation requirement for all commercial art
majors.

BA Commercial Art Major Recommended 4-year schedule
• Items in boldface type are strongly recommended to be taken during prescribed semester. Items in italics with ** may have more flexibility regarding scheduling.
• Students should complete Drawing I and II by the end of their freshman year. Intro. to Graphic Design, Painting I, Sculpture I and Art History II are to be completed by the end of the students sophomore year.
• Sophomore Review to be taken during the student’s fourth semester.
• Senior Seminar to be taken spring semester of senior year. Students graduating in December must take the seminar the spring semester prior to graduation.