Application Information

Applying to the Department of Art and Design

The School of the Arts at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ offers high caliber programs designed to expand students’ potential in the arts and beyond. 

There are two steps for students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree at the School of the Arts:

  1. Submit your application, transcript, and recommendation through ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s undergraduate application portal. If you wish to pursue a BA program in the Arts, you can indicate your interest at this stage. This does not commit you to a specific BA program, and is not required: you can always make the decision to pursue a BA program in the Arts at a later date, once you are already a student. 
  2. The BFA is a pre-professional program, which requires a commitment and portfolio. If you wish to pursue a BFA at the School of the Arts, you must submit a portfolio. No portfolio is required for our BA programs. For BA programs, you can indicate your interest in your application. There are also many opportunities in the arts for majors and non-majors alike at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.

How is a BA different from a BFA?

A BA in the School of the Arts at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ requires fewer credits in arts courses (48-56) than does a BFA. This generally makes it easier to double major, or to merge the arts with liberal arts or sciences. 

A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a pre-professional degree with intense focus on studio arts for students who wish to pursue art as their career. Students graduate with the exhibition and professional portfolio, and are prepared for careers in creative industries, fine arts, or pursuit of a graduate degree. The degree requires 74 credits, and students can choose to major in Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture

Note: You will need to be accepted to both ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ and also the Art and Design program of your choice in order to pursue a BFA in Art & Design at Binghamton. Our BA Programs, by contrast, do not require auditions; you need only apply to ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ and then declare the major once a student.

Portfolios

A portfolio is required to enroll in the BFA track in the Department of Art and Design. Portfolios are reviewed by a faculty committee that evaluates the artistic proficiency and creative promise of the work.

A complete portfolio includes:

  1. 10-15 examples that demonstrate the depth and diversity of your creative practice. Please upload documentation of creative work as a single PDF file, which may include web links to time-based media.
  2. Statement of interest 
  3. Resume (optional)
  4. Letter of reference (optional)

For more information

For more information about applying, contact admit@binghamton.edu, and for more information about Art & Design at Binghamton, contact hgindles@binghamton.edu.