ALL PROGRAMS | College of the Arts Programs
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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

120 semester hours of undergraduate coursework must be completed.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Timeline View Admissions Requirements

Georgia State’s priority deadline for undergraduate degrees is March 1. 

Prospective B.F.A. students enter the Art & Design School as a general major and apply for a concentration sophomore year with a portfolio.

Interior Design, B.F.A.

The Georgia State B.F.A. in Interior Design program prepares students for successful careers in the rapidly growing and changing field of interior design. It strives to reflect the values of contemporary interior design practice as it prepares graduates for careers as licensed professional interior designers who are adept at providing provocative aesthetic solutions to client needs while managing program, schedules and budgets.

The Interior Design program is highly competitive and requires the submission of a portfolio for admission into the concentration. Following a year of required fine arts foundations coursework, Interior Design applicants take three introductory classes in the fall of their sophomore year to qualify to submit B.F.A. application portfolios for admission into the concentration. The initial 3000-level courses:

  • are open to potential Interior Design majors who have completed the first-year Art & Design foundations course sequence;
  • introduce varied practical aspects of contemporary interior design practice;
  • introduce critical analysis and evaluation methods applied to current and historical architecture and interior spaces; and
  • introduce basic architectural drawing (drafting) and communication skills required of successful Interior Design majors.
Program Highlights

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design features an internationally active faculty and a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for professional careers in art and design. The programs foster critical thinking and dynamic artistic production in an interdisciplinary environment. The school offers a B.A. in Art History, a B.F.A. in Art Education, a B.A. in Studio Art and a B.F.A. in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Drawing, Painting & Printmaking, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Sculpture and Textiles.

  • B.F.A. degree that is NASAD accredited.
  • Area-specific, merit scholarship opportunities.
  • Year-round exhibitions in the Welch School Galleries & student-run galleries.
  • The Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series, bringing in speakers around the country and world.
  • 24-hour studio and building access.
Program Details

Applying to a B.F.A

Students who wish to pursue a bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree must first enter as a B.A. in studio and take Foundations courses. They then can apply and be accepted into either a B.F.A. in studio or art education. This is when they chose their concentration.  Acceptance to a concentration is determined by application and portfolio review following completion of the art core curriculum. The studio program requires a concentration in one of the following areas: drawing and painting, or printmaking, graphic design, interior design, photography, textiles or three-dimensional studies (ceramics or sculpture). Students should consult with the undergraduate area coordinator in their area of interest for details. Portfolios and applications are reviewed fall and spring semesters on Portfolio Review Day, which is set by each area.

Admission to Studio B.F.A.

Upon completion of the 18 semester hours required in Area F and prior to completion of 15 additional semester hours, each student who wishes to seek a B.F.A. in Studio must submit an application and pass a portfolio review for acceptance into a major concentration. Applications to concentrate in a discipline are available online. Students should meet with the area coordinator in the concentration they are considering one semester before they apply for the concentration. If a student is not accepted into the concentration, the student should see their assigned adviser to explore other options.

All Art Studio B.A. and B.F.A. majors

12 credits foundation studios

6 credits Art History surveys

B.F.A. Interior Design

9 credits Intro/History ID courses to apply

36 credits ID courses

15 credits Art History/Studio/Electives

Visit the catalog for curriculum details.

More information on Georgia State’s undergraduate tuition can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

Once in the program, Ernest G. Welch students are eligible for merit-based scholarships, nominated by the faculty. New area awards and scholarships are announced every Spring semester.

Goals and outcomes
  • Ensuring comprehensive exposure to an array of perspectives as represented by the various faculty approaches to media, content, imagery, and teaching styles.
  • Exploring the continuing traditions of art-making in pursuit of new forms and with contemporary concepts and issues.
  • Encouraging multidisciplinary approaches with other studio areas.
  • Preparing students for a professional arts career or secondary degree through development in workshops, exhibitions, internships, marketing and art handling, design, collaboration with peers, critique and artistic discourse, etc.

Description

Careers

The undergraduate programs at the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design prepare students for competitive careers in contemporary art, art education, design and art entrepreneurship. Highlights include one-on-one mentorship with an internationally acclaimed faculty, access to art institutions and creative publications, networking with high-profile artists, scholars and businesses, participation in conferences and internships.

The program leads students to career paths such as graphic, interior and Web designers, multimedia artists, curators, gallery directors, museum and non-profit arts managers, art administrators, kindergarten through 12th grade art teachers, art educators, art historians and writers, creative directors at advertising and marketing firms, props and set design fabricators, and art appraisers, among others.

Contacts

Undergraduate Coordinator
Tim Flowers
[email protected]

Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design
10 Peachtree Center Avenue SE
117 Art & Humanities Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30303

College of the Arts Logo35 Broad St., 4th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.