Fine Arts, BFA

For nearly 100 years, the University of Pennsylvania has partnered with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to pursue their artistic passions and intellectual pursuits in the Ivy League.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts offers self-motivated and committed students the chance to design a curriculum at the intersection of your interests. As a Penn BFA student, you have access to a broad range of more than 500 courses taught throughout the School of Arts and Sciences and more than 300 courses within the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, in more than 50 areas of study. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program prioritizes the power of personal connection—between students, teachers, and program staff.

For more information: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/lps/undergraduate/bfa

Curriculum

As a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) student, you’ll have access to a broad range of courses taught within the College of Liberal and Professional Studies and have choices from throughout the School of Arts and Sciences. Upon acceptance into the program, you will be assigned an advisor who will help you choose your coursework.

To earn the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Penn, you must complete the 90-credit, three-year program at PAFA, as well as a minimum of 16 course units (CU)1 at Penn.

Curriculum requirements at Penn include the completion of four course units chosen from within the History of Art Department and 12 free electives chosen from throughout the School of Arts and Sciences. 

Participation in the joint Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program is a unique opportunity designed with specific curricular goals. As a result, some types of courses cannot be counted toward your degree. These include:

  • Other Penn courses outside the School of Arts & Sciences (the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Wharton School of Business, the School of Nursing, etc.)
  • Studio-based courses offered by or cross-listed with the Fine Arts department at Penn
  • Courses from any other educational institution

Minors

As a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree student, you may wish to complete a minor chosen from within the School of Arts and Sciences offerings. The number of courses required to complete a minor varies between departments but is usually between six and eight courses. If you would like to explore the possibility of minoring, please be sure to consult with your academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and an advisor in your minor department of interest. Once you have declared a minor, you will have a minor advisor assigned to you, who will provide guidance with appropriate course selection to meet requirements.

 

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.