Admissions

To apply to the Department of Visual Arts, download the Portfolio Guidelines.

A separate UMBC Undergraduate Admissions Application must also be completed and submitted to the UMBC Office of Admissions.

To declare the visual arts major, students must apply and be admitted through the portfolio application process. Full directions and portfolio review dates are included in the Visual Arts Portfolio Guidelines.

New first-year and transfer students must submit the separate UMBC Undergraduate Admission Application at least two weeks before the selected portfolio review date. UMBC Applicants do not need to wait for an Admissions decision before submitting a portfolio application to the department.

B.F.A. Program

What is the difference between the B.A. and the B.F.A. programs?

The BFA Degree requires 72 credit hours in visual arts coursework and provides a more in-depth program of study in a chosen concentration while also creating the opportunity for interdisciplinary experimentation in other visual arts media. Students who intend to pursue graduate studies in art should consider choosing this degree.

The BA degree requires 60 visual arts credits and lends more easily to the combination of multiple majors, minors and/or certificate programs and for the selection of coursework from the broad range of disciplines available in a liberal arts setting.

According to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the professional degree (BFA) focuses on intensive work in the visual arts supported by a program of general studies, whereas the liberal arts degree (BA) focuses on art and design in the context of a broad program of general studies.

Visit the Department
Tours are held regularly; to arrange a visit, please call the Visual Arts Office (410) 455-2150. An interactive map of the campus and surrounding area, with driving directions is available at the UMBC Campus Map.

Address
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Visual Arts Department
Fine Arts 111A
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, Maryland USA 21250

Click here for directions

tel: 1(410)455-2150
fax: 1(410)455-1053
email: visart@umbc.edu