The B.A. program in Visual Art Studies, or VAST, at Penn State Altoona constitutes a distinct approach to Art in the context of a Liberal Arts education. It recombines innovative and traditional approaches to provide students with opportunities for understanding art and art making. The degree can prepare students for immediate employment in creative fields or the individual research of graduate studies. The Visual Art Studies program seeks to provide the conceptual, technical, and professional frameworks needed to nurture productive confident artists.
Among the features of this degree are its unique coursework and a professional capstone experience. Candidates will enter the Visual Art Studies major as pre-major students of the Altoona College, Division of Arts and Humanities (ALHSS) whereupon they will begin the Fundamental Concepts Block of studio courses that emphasize creative thinking skills and visual literacy, as well as lecture classes that provide an overview of creative history and process. Additionally, a required course in digital visualization will complete their first year experience. Upon completion of the pre-major, each prospective Visual Art Studies major will undergo an Art faculty evaluation of abilities, interests and goals. Approval may then be given for entrance to the major and the second year. The Fundamental Concepts Block continues into the second year as students investigate the topics of color and light. In the third year, students are encouraged to explore creative work on a more personal and individualized level through a sequential Themes and Issues Block. Rotational elective offerings from areas of faculty expertise will supplement the Themes and Issues Block while students begin building their individual working portfolios. The fourth year of the program contains the capstone structure designed to address creative possibilities, and professional skills needed beyond graduation. Capstone requirements, via the Individual Approaches Block include completing a portfolio and accomplishing a one-person exhibition.
For the B.A. degree in Visual Arts Studies, a minimum of 121 credits is required.
Scheduling Recommendation by Semester standing given like (Sem: 1-2)
GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(6 of these credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
FIRST YEAR SEMINAR: 1 credit
INTERNATIONAL CULTURES: (included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)
UNITED STATES CULTURES: (included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)
WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM: (Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
ELECTIVES: 6-12 credits
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 24 credits
(0-12 credits are included in ELECTIVES if foreign language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.)
(See description of Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements in front of Bulletin.)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 45 credits [1]
PRESCRIBED COURSES: 42 credits
ART H 111 GA; IL(3), ART H 112 GA; IL(3) (Sem: 1-2) (6 of these credits may also be counted toward the General Education Arts requirement)
ART 165(3), 166(3), 168(3), 265(3), 266(3), 269(3) (Sem: 1-4)
ART 468(3) (Sem:4-8)
ART 365(3), 366(3), 465(3), 466W(6), and 469(3) (Sem:5-8)
ADDITIONAL COURSES: 3 credits
Select 3 credits of 400-level ART H (Sem: 7-8)
[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
