Choose Your Art Path at UTampa
The Department of Art and Design offers two dynamic degrees: the BFA in Art and the B.A. in Visual Arts. The art program is built to strengthen your technical foundations, elevate your visual literacy and support the development of a thoughtful, cohesive artistic practice. Learn about both options below and discover the right direction for your creative journey.
Why Study Art?
At the University of Tampa, art is a challenging course of study and a process of discovery. You’ll strengthen your technical skills, advance your visual literacy and deepen your ability to think critically and conceptually. You’ll explore how artistic practice can shape culture, inspire reflection and communicate ideas through a mature, cohesive body of work.
You’ll study in collaborative, studio-based classes led by faculty who are active professional artists—practitioners who bring current studio methods and real-world insight into the classroom. Here, you’ll engage in hands-on projects that encourage experimentation, foster intellectual curiosity and support the development of your own creative voice.
Two Degree Paths. One Creative Vision.
- BFA in Art
- B.A. in Visual Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
BFA in Art
The BFA is a professional degree designed for students who want to immerse themselves in advanced studio practice.
You’ll take purposefully sequenced upper-level courses that deepen your technical skills, expand your visual literacy and support the development of a mature, cohesive body of work. Along the way, you’ll engage in intensive studio exploration that strengthens your aesthetic conceptualization and prepares you for professional opportunities.
Students in the BFA track complete a junior portfolio review in ART 299 and finish their studies with a senior exhibition, gaining the experience and confidence needed to pursue competitive art careers or continue on to MFA programs.
Perfect for you if:
You’re passionate about becoming a professional artist and want rigorous, hands-on studio experience.
Bachelor of Arts
B.A. in Visual Arts
The BA offers a broader and more flexible approach to studying the visual arts. It provides a strong foundation in artistic principles while giving you the freedom to explore additional interests such as art history, design, digital media, education or other liberal-arts fields.
You’ll build visual literacy, strengthen creative problem-solving and develop essential studio skills while crafting a degree path tailored to your long-term goals in the arts.
Perfect for you if:
You’re interested in art but also want the flexibility to explore multiple disciplines or pair visual arts with another major or minor.
Sample Courses From Art Therapy Curriculum
What You Might Study
ART 261
Sculpture Mold-Making and Casting I
This course introduces the aesthetic, technical and historical aspects of the casting process as it relates to sculpture. Students learn basic skills in methods of mold making to include plaster, vacuum form and flexible rubber molds.
ART 252
Experimental Painting
An inquiry-based studio course that questions the limits and boundaries of painting as a creative medium, stressing the investigation in both media and technique. Experimentation with non-traditional materials and processes are emphasized, as well as original research in concept and media.
ART 208
Darkroom Photography
A studio/performance-oriented course offering an introduction to black and white photography. Emphasis will be focused on darkroom techniques and developing one's own photographic style with a fine art approach to photography.
ART 235
Screenprinting
A studio/performance-oriented course that combines hand-cut stencils, digital tools and photographic processes to create fine art prints, installation and books. Using tools such as Photoshop, scanners, large format printers, vinyl-cutters and primarily materials specific to creating hand printed screenprints.
