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Studio Art B.F.A.
Honors Tutorial College Program
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Studio Art Major

The Honors Tutorial College Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Studio Art offers highly motivated students an intensive, individualized education in contemporary and traditional art practices. Students work closely with faculty in one-on-one tutorials while engaging in rigorous studio coursework, art history, and professional practice. The program balances breadth and specialization, emphasizing technical skill, conceptual development, and critical thinking. Students graduate with a well-rounded portfolio and strong preparation for graduate study, professional practice, or careers in the arts.

Curriculum

Students must complete at least 136 credit hours, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, and fulfill all university and Honors Tutorial College requirements.

The curriculum includes:

  • Eight studio art tutorials completed across four years, including two senior-level thesis tutorials
  • Foundation courses in studio art: Description, Function, Image, and Structure
  • Concentration-specific upper-division studio courses in ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture
  • Art history courses and scholarly research in art theory and criticism
  • Practicum courses and senior thesis exhibition
  • University writing, quantitative reasoning, and Honors Tutorial College seminar requirements

View Full Curriculum in the Academic Catalog

Honors Tutorials and Thesis

Students complete eight tutorials, including two senior-level tutorials devoted to the thesis exhibition and paper. Tutorials meet weekly in a one-on-one or small-group format and emphasize studio practice, advanced reading, research, writing, and independent creative inquiry.

Early tutorials focus on foundational skills and studio exploration, while upper-level tutorials allow students to pursue specialized topics within their area of concentration. The senior thesis culminates in a public exhibition and a written thesis based on original research or creative practice, approved by the faculty advisor, Director of Studies, and Dean of the Honors Tutorial College.

Admissions Requirements

This is a selective admission program. Students must demonstrate:

  • Exceptional academic performance
  • Strong potential for independent study and research
  • Submission of additional essays and high school teacher recommendations
  • An interview with the director of studies
  • A portfolio consisting of documentation of 15-20 works that ideally represent an area of focus as well as exmaples of broad-based talent.
    • Applicants may submit their portfolios to Slideroom. Doing so will offer the student eligibility not only for admission consideration to HTC Studio Art but also for talent-based scholarships offered by the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts. Portfolios should include 10 images that document the student's best original works of art in any media. Video/audio clips are also acceptable.


First-year, transfer, and external applicants are held to the same high standards. More details can be found on the HTC Application Page.

  • Tuition & Fees

    OHIO is committed to your lifelong success through our Guarantee+, which offers fixed tuition and fees, a graduation plan and lifelong benefits to our students. We're continuously striving to make college more affordable and accessible, while maintaining the high quality and value of an OHIO education.

    Tuition & Fees

  • Financial Aid & Scholarships

    All first-year Honors Tutorial College students admitted for fall semester earn the OHIO Premier Scholarship, valued at full in-state tuition and renewable for four years. Out-of-state HTC students may also earn the OHIO Trustee Award, valued at up to $7,000 annually.
     
     
    Our Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships also provides services to students and parents both in-person and remotely.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the HTC Studio Art B.F.A. program are well prepared for graduate study in M.F.A. or Ph.D. programs, as well as professional careers in visual arts, design, gallery and museum work, arts education, and other creative industries. Alumni have pursued successful careers as practicing artists, curators, art educators, and arts administrators.

Director of Studies

Melissa Haviland, B.F.A., M.F.A., is a professor of printmaking and papermaking and serves as the Director of Studies for the HTC Studio Art program. Her work explores relationships between objects, culture, and socio-political history. She received her B.F.A. from Illinois State University and her M.F.A. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Melissa Haviland
Director of Studies, Studio Art Program of Study
Seigfred Hall 528
haviland@ohio.edu 

Haviland headshot

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