Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for VISUAL ARTS

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement

• By meeting the following criteria, you are eligible for admission. Separate admission to the Studio Art program is not required:

• Earn a transfer associate degree

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 for your associate degree

• Earn grades of "C" or higher in all community college courses

• Please create an account through the www.TransferVirginia.org portal to indicate your intent to use this guarantee for admission to UMW

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Register Intent to Transfer: After the first 15 credits, complete this form and submit to admit@umw.edu to receive application fee waiver: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/adult/our-commitment/guaranteed-admission...

• Admission Application: Apply by October 15 for spring admission, March 1 for summer admission, and April 1 for fall admission. Additional details and a transfer checklist are available at https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Financial Aid: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Apply by April 1 to ensure you receive the maximum aid for which you are eligible. FAFSA’s will still be accepted after the April 1 deadline. The required forms are found at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Most ARTS courses have prerequisite courses required for enrollment. Be sure to check the prerequisites as you plan your schedule: https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/coursedescriptions/arts/

• Be sure to take at least one 300 or 400 level ARTS course before your senior year to ensure your ability to enroll in ARTS 474: Professional Practices, which is only offered during fall semesters

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org

• UMW requires proficiency in a second language as part of the general education requirements. This can be satisfied in a number of ways including completing four years of language in high school, transferring credits from a community college, or completing a sequence of language courses through the 201 level at UMW. American Sign Language is accepted for transfer as a second language. All of the options for satisfying this requirement are found in the UMW Catalog: https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/general-education/general-educatio...

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and UMW within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The Studio Art major at UMW offers an energetic and positive atmosphere that encourages growth, exploration and risk taking within a supportive and open environment

• Our program allows Studio Art majors to "customize" their degree by giving them options with the courses they select to fulfill the degree requirements. Students can pursue one medium in depth, explore a broad array of mediums, or land somewhere in between

• UMW’s location between Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia provides students with ample resources to experience top quality artwork in person, and to undertake optional internships and apprenticeships in the field

• Find out more about our courses, faculty and programs here: https://cas.umw.edu/art/

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Transfer students with a VCCS transferable associate degree have completed the UMW general education requirements except second language competency, digital intensive, diverse and global perspectives, after Mary Washington, and beyond the classroom general education requirements. UMW does allow students to satisfy these requirements through qualifying transfer coursework

• Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Students participating in dual enrollment programs are considered as freshman applicants. Dual enrollment courses taken at the high school are treated identically with the same course when taken on a college campus; dual enrollment status does not affect the transferability of the course

• Credit for Prior Learning: UMW accepts credit for AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and other qualifying previous coursework. Equivalencies are provided here: https://academics.umw.edu/registrar/transfer-information/resources-and-p...

• Virginia Community College System courses which receive guaranteed equivalent credit are provided here: https://academics.umw.edu/registrar/transfer-information/resources-andpu...

• Catalog Year: Students must complete general education requirements associated with the academic year that they enroll at UMW. Students complete major requirements associated with the academic year in which they declare their major

Is This College Right For Me?

• UMW is a small university located in suburban Fredericksburg, VA. We offer small class sizes and courses are taught by faculty committed to student learning and success

• Home is precisely what UMW will come to feel like. Our campus is gorgeous, green, and full of opportunity. Join a club sports team. Audition for a musical. Lead the way in Student Government Association. See a performance or an exhibition. Or sit back, relax, and take it all in from the cozy comfort of Ball Circle

• UMW offers high impact experiences beyond the classroom. Faculty are committed to collaborating with students on research projects and outreach experiences

• UMW is located between Washington DC and Richmond, VA, both of which boast significant visual art resources. UMW students enjoy a multitude of internship opportunities where they can apply their academic knowledge while gaining professional experience. UMW students receive support with resumes and job searches through the department and University resources and can earn academic credit for qualifying internship experiences

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

• UMW requires proficiency in a second language as part of the general education requirements. This can be satisfied in a number of ways including completing four years of language in high school, transferring credits from a community college, or completing a sequence of language courses through the 201 level at UMW. All of the options for satisfying this requirement are found in the UMW Catalog: https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/generaleducation/general-education...

Did You Know That…

• UMW has a co-enrollment agreement with Germanna Community College, which allows Germanna students to take up to five courses at UMW to transfer back to their Germanna associate degree program. This allows students to receive UMW course experiences at Germanna tuition rates. Students must submit a letter of intent after completing 15 credits at Germanna: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/adult/our-commitment/

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor’s degree.

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at UMW.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Graduates from the studio art program have gone on to do great things in fine art, commercial art, education, business, and more. Find profiles of some of our alumni here: https://cas.umw.edu/art/studio-art/alumni/

• We teach students how to think creatively and to tackle problems with innovative solutions. Thus, Studio Art majors have many career options. Find a few ideas here: https://cas.umw.edu/art/studio-art/future-students/

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org

Program Successes & Highlights

• UMW Studio Art majors are regularly admitted to top graduate programs, artist residencies and art exhibitions

• UMW’s location between Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia provides students with ample resources to experience top quality artwork in person, and to undertake optional internships and apprenticeships in the field

• The UMW Galleries bring exciting exhibitions and events to campus while advancing the educational goals of the University through the collection, exhibition, and interpretation of works of art

• Visiting artist lectures and field trips support our commitment to visual and cultural literacy and our faculty members work closely with students to better understand the impact of art and technology in the professional world

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• With an associate’s degree and a 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA, you may qualify for UMW’s Guaranteed Admissions Agreement with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Richard Bland College. Additional details are available here: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/adult/our-commitment/guaranteed-admission...

• Each fall, UMW enrolls approximately 300 students from the Virginia Community College System and other schools inside and outside of Virginia

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org

Do More With Your Degree!

• Our department sponsors an annual bus trip to Washington D.C. or Richmond, VA that brings students and faculty together to see world-class art in person

• Our students have an active student group that organizes activities, workshops and a student art sale each semester. Find out more by looking up "UMW Student Art Association" on Facebook

• Many students take advantage of on-campus internships and employment opportunities within our department and with UMW Galleries

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• The course of study culminates in a student-organized senior exhibition (or exit portfolio) that highlights the work of our majors while adding to the cultural life of the university and the greater Fredericksburg community