About the Department
The Department of Art offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with majors in Fine Arts,Graphic Design, and Digital Arts, and the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with majors in Art Education and Art History. In addition, students may minor in Art History, Fine Arts, Digital Arts and Photography. Courses in art foundation studies and the liberal arts are integral parts of the curriculum. The Art Department is committed to providing programs of study which develop a high level of conceptual and technical ability, resources beyond the studio for a broader education in the arts, exposure to and understanding of electronic media and methods of communication, and a balance between a demanding course of professional study and a liberal arts education.
The art facility features traditional studios as well as state-of-the-art computing and electronic media labs. The faculty of the Art Department consists of scholars, exhibiting artists, and active professionals; it is augmented by guest lecturers and adjunct professors who are practicing professionals in the New York-Philadelphia corridor. The department enjoys an enviable placement record in terms of graduate study and employment, and graduates of the program have attained positions of leadership in their respective fields. The College of New Jersey is located near the major art and design centers of New York and Philadelphia and students are encouraged and often required to visit museums, galleries, design studios, production houses, and other art facilities in these areas.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance to the studio majors (Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Digital Arts, and Art Education) offered by the Department of Art requires portfolio acceptance as well as admission by the College. After the department has received a copy of the student's application from the Office of Admissions, it will review slide portfolios.
The deadline for submitting slide portfolios for January admission candidates and early-decision candidates is November 30, 2004. The deadline for slide portfolios for regular September admission candidates is March 1, 2005. The materials for both deadlines must be received by this date. Early submissions for both deadlines are highly recommended.
Acceptance to the College of New Jersey and permission of the Art Department chair are required for admission to the Art History major.
The portfolio should consist of
a) slides or a CD,
b) a numbered slide list indicating the title, materials and dimensions of the work and
c) a one-page personal essay
.
Slides or CD
Include 12 slides or images on a CD of original works, demonstrating the applicant's drawing and technical skills, creativity, and aesthetic ability. A substantial part of the portfolio should feature drawings (still life, figure, self-portrait, and assorted sketches). All work must be original. Copies of other artists' work should not be included in the portfolio. In addition, the slides may document work in other media (painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, mixed-media, digital media, and video). If possible, please also include at least one slide from a sketchbook.
Professional presentation of the work is important. Please present documentation that is in-focus, well lit and shows your best work. Send numbered slides in a 8.5" x 11" clear slide sheet, indicating the front of the slide. A large dot should be placed in the lower left corner of the slide telling us which direction is up.
If images are saved on a CD, please follow these guidelines.
1. Format CD as MAC or cross platform.
2. Save all images as .tiff, .jpeg or .gif files.
3. Save each file with a name, lowercase and with no spaces. Do not begin a name with a number. Example: image_01.
Include a numbered slide list along with your submitted work. Indicate your name, date of completion, materials, and dimensions of the individual pieces.
Please include a one-page, single-spaced statement that includes a brief description of who you are, and your experience in art and life. Your essay should include your major artistic and academic goals, and your reasons for wanting to specialize in the visual arts.
Enrollment in Department of Art Courses
Except for art courses which have specific non-art major sections and art history courses, all art courses are restricted to art majors and minors. A non-major student who wishes to enroll in major courses must obtain permission from the chair of the department. Art minors must report to the department chair for advisement and registration of art courses.Studio Art Major General Requirements
All studio art majors are required to take AAH 105 and/or 106, 145, and 250; AFA 111, 112, 113, ;and ADA 180. While the department supplies many materials, students are required to purchase materials in most studio courses. Art History and studio courses may require field trips at students' expense. Students who receive a C- or lower grade in a major required course are required to repeat the course. Midway through one's tenure at TCNJ, each student must undergo a faculty review of work completed thus far at TCNJ, please follow this link to Read Sophmore Review Requirements
Program Entrance, Retention, and Exit Standards
Every major program at the College has set standards for allowing students to remain in that program, to transfer within the College from one program to another, and to graduate from a program. The following are the standards for art programs. Minimum grades are noted in parentheses:
* Retention in the art studio majors (Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Digital Arts, and Art Education) is based on the following performance standards in these "critical content courses": AFA 111 (B), AFA 112 (B), and AFA 113 (B).
* Transfer into the art studio majors from another program within The College is based upon the following performance standards in this "foundation course": AFA 111 (Drawing for non-Art majors) (B).
* Retention in the Art History major is based on the following performance standards in these "critical content courses": AAH 106 (B), 106 (B), and 145 (B).
* Transfer into the Art History major from another program within The College is based upon the following performance standards in these "foundation courses": AAH 105 (B) and AAH 106 (B).
* Graduation requires a GPA of 2.0 in courses for the program and earning a minimum grade of C- in the following courses: all Art major courses.
Attendance Requirements
Participation and attendance are considered essential to the learning process. More than two unexcused absences will be considered detrimental to the student's final grade.
Transfer Students
Transfer students into studio art majors are required to take a minimum of 12 courses in TCNJ's Department of Art. The 12 course minimum cannot include credit by examination, student teaching, or internships. Portfolio admission requirements are explained under the admission requirements section noted on this page. Transfer students should include a copy of their transcript(s) with their portfolio.
Transfer students into the Art History major are required to take a minimum of 6 courses in TCNJ's Department of Art. The 6 course minimum cannot include credit by examination or internships.
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