Program Overview:
The Department of Art at The College of Saint Rose prepares men and women for careers in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Art Education. The Faculty of professional artists, designers, educators, and scholars is dedicated to the development of each student’s informed creative voice. The carefully developed sequence of studio courses advances each student from a strong foundation to a focus on conceptual and expressive inventiveness. Art students benefit from the rare combination of a rigorous curriculum enhanced by a strong liberal arts commitment and sound critical thinking.
The Art Department’s intention is not only to foster strong artists, designers, and teachers, but to have students become leaders in their fields and communities. The Art Department believe that individual attention, a strong curriculum, the expectation of disciplined work, and the encouragement of leadership offers the best environment for learning, achieving success, and having a lasting impact on the world.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs are for those whose aim is a professional career in art and graphic design. The BFA provides a concentration of study in one specific studio area.
Program Contacts:
To email the Department Chair,
Paul Mauren, Art Department
Program Webpage:
Graphic Design, BFA
Program Requirements:
BFA in Graphic Design (92 credits)
Major Requirements
Required Art History Courses:
Choose one of the following ten: (4)
Choose one of the following eight: (4)
Transfer students who plan to enter into this program must complete the entire sequence of graphic design courses at Saint Rose which may require either six full- or part-time semesters. Students must receive a C+ or better in all required Graphic Design courses in order to meet the prerequisite for the next level and to advance in the program. At the end of the sophomore year, all Graphic Design majors must be approved by the area faculty to advance in the program.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Internship Experiences
One or more professional internships at a variety of local, regional and national placements will provide students with a competitive edge. The extensive internship opportunities offered every semester, including summers, may lead to full or part-time employment. Internship placements have included top ad and graphic design agencies and television stations, including:
DDB Advertising Worldwide, Chicago, IL
Milton Glaser, Inc., NY, NY
Pentagram, NY, NY
MTV Networks, NY, NY
ESPN Productions, Bristol, CT
Required Courses
| ART 392 | Internship Preparation 1 | 0 |
| ART 393 | Internship Preparation 2 | 0 |
| ART 493 | Internship in Graphic Design | 3 or6 |
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Course
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org
The Department of Art and Design at The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
Careers in Graphic Design
Almost 100% of our graphic design graduates achieve full employment in their field within one year of graduation. We bring prospective employers to meet you and view your portfolio right here at The College of Saint Rose, and arrange for our senior students to attend national job fairs and portfolio reviews, including an open portfolio night on campus. We are very proud to have alumni living and working in 33 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Bermuda and Japan.
The broad employment opportunities available to graphic design graduates from The College of Saint Rose include:
DDB Advertising Worldwide, Chicago, IL
Hallmark, Inc., Kansas City, MO
McCann Erickson Worldwide, NY, NY
Washington Times, Washington, DC
BBC America, NY, NY
Milton Glaser/Walter Bernard Inc., NY, NY
The New York Times, NY, NY
MTV Networks, NY, NY
Ralph Lauren Polo, NY, NY
Preparation for Graduate Studies
The professional preparation of the BFA degree in graphic design a The College of Saint Rose allows students to find rewarding employment in this field without the need for advanced study. However, if students choose to pursue a graduate career, they will be well prepared to succeed. Our graduates have been accepted by some of the most prominent design programs in the country including:
Kent State University, Kent, OH
Minneapolis College of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Portfolio Center, Atlanta, GA
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
The School of Visual Arts, NY, NY
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
The Tyler School of Art of Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Minor(s):
Complete minors listing
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Additional Art Admissions Information:
The Portfolio Review
In addition to The College of Saint Rose academic admissions requirements, all applicants to programs offered by the Art Department are required to submit a portfolio as part of the admission materials. All art applicants (Art Education, Graphic Design or Studio Art) should follow the same format when preparing their portfolio.
The portfolio should consist of 15 to 20 works. Approximately half of the portfolio should represent drawing from direct observation. Self-portrait, still life, interior space and figure drawing can all be presented. Three-dimensional work may be presented as photo or CD. All the work submitted should have been completed within the past two years. Edit the portfolio since the most recent work will best represent your abilities and interests.
The Art Department prefers to review the actual art, but CD portfolio submissions are also acceptable (jpg format, no longer than 1000 pixels on the largest side). Please include a separate numerical inventory listing the size, media and date completed for each of the works submitted.
For purposes of evaluation and placement, transfer students who wish to receive credit for a studio course should include additional work to represent the content covered in each class transferred.
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