College of Fine Arts

Mark W. Shanda, M.F.A., is Dean of the College of Fine Arts.

The College of Fine Arts was established in September 1976 and includes the Department of Theatre and Dance, the School of Art and Visual Studies, the School of Music, the Department of Arts Administration, the UK Art Museum, and the Otis A. Singletary Center for the Arts.

Undergraduate Programs in Fine Arts

The University of Kentucky grants the following degrees in the College of Fine Arts:

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Design

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts may select from these majors: art education, art history and visual studies, art studio, arts administration, dance, music (successful audition required), or theatre.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts select art studio. A portfolio review process is required.

Students pursuing a music degree select the Bachelor of Music with a major in music performance or the Bachelor of Music in Music Education. A successful audition is required.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Design must submit an application. See details under Requirements for the B.S. with a major in Digital Media Design.

The college also offers several graduate programs, which are described in The Graduate School Bulletin.

Departmental Minors

Students from any college may choose to have an interdisciplinary minor in the arts, or to minor in art history, art studio, dance, digital media design, music (music theory and history or performance), photography, theatre, and visual studies. Requirements for these minors may be found under the departmental listings.

Undergraduate Certificates in Fine Arts

The University of Kentucky grants the following undergraduate certificates in the College of Fine Arts:

Baroque Trumpet
Digital Media Design for Educators
Filmmaking: Production and Dramatic Writing
Musical Theatre for Dance Majors
Musical Theatre for Theatre Majors
Musical Theatre for Voice Majors

Financial Aid

School of Art and Visual Studies

A significant number of scholarships are available from the School of Art and Visual Studies. For further information visit: https://finearts.uky.edu/savs/undergraduate-scholarships-financial-aid.

School of Music

A significant number of scholarships are available from the School of Music. For further information visit: finearts.uky.edu/music/scholarshipsfinancial-aid.

Department of Theatre and Dance

A significant number of scholarships are available from the Department of Theatre and Dance. For further information and to apply online, visit the scholarships page on our website at: finearts.uky.edu/theatre.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree within the College of Fine Arts must fulfill the following requirements:

University Requirements

All students must fulfill UK Core requirements.

Students should work closely with advisors in selecting courses in each area.

College Requirements

Students must complete at least 120 hours of course work or its equivalent with a grade-point average of at least 2.0. Of these hours, 39 must be at or above the 300 level.
Students in music and students in the art history option of the art history & visual studies major must 1) satisfy a four-semester sequence in one language by passing the fourth semester or by demonstrating equivalent competence, or 2) pass the third semester course in one language and the second semester course in a second language or demonstrate equivalent competence.
Students must complete a major program.

Requirements for a Major

The major - selected from art education, art history and visual studies, art studio, arts administration, dance, digital media and design, music, or theatre - must include at least 45 credit hours.

Among these 45 hours students must include the following:

At least 6 hours of premajor work.
At least 18 hours at or above the 200 level in a departmental or school program.
At least 9 hours in work related to but outside the major department.

In addition, students must complete the departmental or school requirements that have been established. Specific major requirements are outlined in detail under the appropriate department and school sections which follow.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

The University and College requirements for the B.F.A. are the same as the B.A. requirements outlined above. The major requirements are outlined with other program requirements under the School of Art and Visual Studies.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Design

The University and College requirements for the B.S. are the same as the B.A. requirements outlined above. The major requirements are outlined with other program requirements under the School of Art and Visual Studies.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and in Music Education

These requirements are outlined with other program requirements under the School of Music.

Academic Advising

Advising is conducted through formal meetings with each student every semester to review individual curricular plans and progress towards degree. Advising is conducted by professional advisors in the Office of Student Affairs, locations per CFA website.