At the Carnegie Mellon School of Art, we believe that your curiosity, artistic vision, and creativity can help shape a new and better world. Art, unlike any other academic pursuit, challenges you to re-examine deeply-held beliefs, find uncertainty amidst rigid rules, and see the world in completely new ways. We are committed to helping you find your voice through a strong foundation in critical studies and media exploration, peer and faculty review, and independent 24-hour studios in your junior and senior years to support your dedicated art practice.
| TWO ART DEGREE PATHS |
| BFA: Designing Your Own Roadmap | BXA: Combining Art with Other Disciplines |
| Our Bachelor of Fine Arts program offers maximum flexibility to develop your unique practice. You’ll explore interdisciplinary, conceptual art-making combined with any academic courses that you’re interested in. | Exclusive to CMU, the BXA Intercollege Degree Program integrates studio art with other academic Colleges within the University, perfect for students with a clear idea of how they want to combine art with another discipline. |
| Art Studios: 60% (no majors) | Art Studios: 30% |
| Academics: 30% (no concentrations) | Academics: 40% (declared concentration based on BXA academic choice) |
| Electives: 10% | BXA Seminars: 30% |
| SEE BELOW FOR MORE | LEARN MORE HERE |
BFA Degree Program
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts program integrates highly conceptual and theoretical study with hands-on studio courses, in order to answer not just the “how,” but the “why” behind your work. The program is grounded in a specially designed first-year Foundations curriculum, spanning 2D, 3D, and 4D art-making forms — from Drawing, Sculpture, and Installation to experimental Digital Media, like Animation, Games, XR, and Creative Coding. With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll join a vibrant, interconnected community with small class sizes and personalized instruction where your ideas can flourish.
All students have access to a wealth of cutting-edge facilities and emerging technologies, and all juniors and seniors also have 24-hour access to independent student studios.
Studies Beyond the School of Art
We believe that your interests outside of art are essential for your artistic practice. Art studio courses make up over 60% of your study, rounded out by academic courses. As a leading research university, Carnegie Mellon offers courses across many academic disciplines. Whether you are interested in gender theory, robotics, scientific research, sustainable design, business, creative writing, or virtually any other area, you will find a class at CMU that will inform and transform your art.
First-Year Foundations
From your very first course in the School of Art, expect to be challenged by new materials and new ideas, and to allow yourself to explore the boundaries of art-making. As a first-year student, a suite of Foundations classes will give you a strong basis in technical skill and conceptual thought in order to prepare you for self-driven intermediate and advanced electives.
Throughout this critical year, the cost of required tools and materials are completely covered for first-year students.
Advanced Study
Beginning your sophomore year, our curriculum gives you the freedom to choose a concentration or to forge your own hybrid path. We offer a wide range of advanced courses in the following areas:
- Drawing, Painting, Print Media & Photography
- Sculpture, Installation & Site-Work
- Electronic & Time-Based Media
- Social Practice
- Critical Studies
- Professional Development
Senior Year
During your senior year, you will create an ambitious project culminating in a professional Senior Exhibition and a printed catalog.
Student Resources & Opportunities
To further complement your BFA study and explore your interests, the School of Art, College of Fine Arts, and wider university provide additional opportunities such as dedicated spaces to collaborate with students in other schools, academic minors focused on marketable career skills, project funding and grants, affinity groups, visiting contemporary artists, and more. Learn more about student resources.
Career Services
School of Art alumni go on to have successful careers as studio artists, as well as careers in animation, gaming, media, emerging technology, and other creative fields. Whichever path you choose, the School of Art provides support through professional development courses, career panels and networking, and individual mentorship. In addition, the university’s Career & Professional Development Center offers a wealth of resources to help students find and land prestigious internships and jobs.
School Community
At CMU, you will join a diverse and tight-knit community of 200 undergraduates from across the United States and around the world. With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, each of our students receives one-on-one mentorship from our faculty, comprised of nationally and internationally accomplished artists. Outside the classroom, join our campus community with hundreds of student organizations and activities, or connect with the city of Pittsburgh, named in the Top 20 Most Vibrant Arts Communities in America.