DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING PRIOR TO FALL 2022

Candidates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree are expected to complete 130 credits within eight semesters of study and within the following disciplinary credit distribution.

Courses	Credits
Required Foundation Courses
Basic Drawing (Analytical and Descriptive)	61
2-Dimensional Design	61
3-Dimensional Design	61
4-Dimensional Design	31
Color	21
Introduction to Techniques	11
Foundation Project	11
Required Art History Courses
Modern to Contemporary: An Introduction to Art History	41
Art History Electives	10*
*Including 2 credits in prehistory through 17th century art and 2 credits in global perspectives on art
Required General Academic Studies
Freshman Seminar	31
Texts and Contexts: Old Worlds and New	31
The Making of Modern Society	32
The Modern Context: Figures and Topics	32
Science	3
General Academic Studies Electives
To be elected from Art History3, Foreign Language4, History of Architecture, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences	12
Prerequisite and Advanced Studio Courses
To be elected from any studio discipline	54
Required Senior Presentation	0
Free Electives
To be elected from courses in any discipline at Cooper Union or at other institutions approved by the dean of the School of Art	10
Total Credit Requirements for the B.F.A. Degree	130

¹ First-year requirement for all students
² Second-year requirement for all students
³ Maximum of three credits
⁴ With preapproval of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING AFTER FALL 2022

Candidates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree are expected to complete 125 credits within eight semesters of study and within the following disciplinary credit distribution.

Courses	Credits
Required Foundation Courses
Basic Drawing (Analytical and Descriptive)	31
2-Dimensional Design	31
3-Dimensional Design	31
4-Dimensional Design	21
Color	21
Introduction to Techniques I & II	11
Foundation Orientation	.51
Foundation Project	.51
Foundation Studio	31
Required Art History Courses
Modern to Contemporary: An Introduction to Art History	61
Art History Electives	10*+
*Including 2 credits in prehistory through 17th century art and 2 credits in global perspectives on art for students who entered in Fall 2022 +Including 2 credits in prehistory through 17th century art for students entering Fall 2023 and later
Required General Academic Studies
Freshman Seminar	31
Texts and Contexts: Old Worlds and New	31
The Making of Modern Society	32
The Modern Context: Figures and Topics	32
Science	3
General Academic Studies Electives
To be elected from Art History3, Foreign Language4, History of Architecture, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences	12
Prerequisite and Advanced Studio Courses
To be elected from any studio discipline	54
Required Senior Presentation	0
Free Electives
To be elected from courses in any discipline at Cooper Union or at other institutions approved by the dean of the School of Art	10
Total Credit Requirements for the B.F.A. Degree	125

¹ First-year requirement for all students
² Second-year requirement for all students
³ Maximum of three credits
⁴ With preapproval of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS

Prerequisite and Advanced Studio Courses

The student’s choice of studio courses is based on individual interest in various disciplines, on prerequisite courses for advanced areas of study and on the student’s interest in working with particular instructors. Students are required to complete 54 credits.

There are limitations on the number of credits a student may take each semester in any one area of study, depending upon the student’s progress in the program (number of credits completed toward the degree). The number of credits allowed is determined as listed below:

Credits Completed	Maximum Credits per Semester per Area of Study*
30-32 (Sophomore)	6
60-64 (Junior)	9
90-96 (Senior)	no limit

* Includes related techniques courses

Art History

The Art History requirements include two introductory courses and five elective courses under the HTA (History and Theory of Art) prefix. Contemporary Art Issues (SE 401) may also be counted toward the art history elective requirement up to two times. All students are required to complete an HTA course designated as prehistory through 17th century art. Students entering prior to Fall 2023 must also complete a HTA course designated as a global perspective. 

General Academic Studies Requirements

The general academic studies requirements of the BFA degree include four core courses in the humanities and social sciences (HSS 1-4) and a natural science course (three credits).

General Academic Studies Electives  

In addition to the art history and general academic studies required courses, students must fulfill 12 credits of general academic studies electives. Students choose a combination of courses from the categories of the humanities (HUM), the social sciences (SS), the history and theory of art (HTA, three credits maximum), the history of architecture, and the natural sciences. Students should note that some courses in these areas are two credits while others are three credits. Depending on the courses selected, some students may need to complete more than four courses to earn the required 12 credits.

During Foundation year, BFA candidates take two core courses in the humanities and social sciences and two required courses in art history.

During sophomore year, BFA candidates take two further core courses in the humanities and social sciences and either two art history electives or one art history elective and a science course.

Throughout the last two years, students complete their remaining general academic studies requirements, art history electives, and general academic studies electives.

Foreign language coursework at the intermediate or advanced level, taught by language instructors with appropriate academic credentials, may be presented to the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences for possible general academic studies elective credit. A maximum of four credits of language study may be approved in this category. Intermediate or advanced foreign language studies beyond four credits may be presented to the dean of the School of Art for possible free elective credit.

Minors

School of Art students may apply to earn a minor through the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (FHSS). See the FHSS minor’s section for a list of available minors and other details.

Free Electives

Any Cooper Union course not being counted toward another requirement may be counted toward the free elective requirement. Students frequently take TE (techniques) courses toward the free elective requirement. It should be noted that students may take only one TE course per semester, unless granted an exception through the Office of Academic Advising & Off-Campus Programs.

Students can also use the 10 credits required under free electives towards fulfilling a FHSS minor. Electives chosen towards the fulfillment of a minor must satisfy the conditions of the minor’s guidelines.

Senior Presentation Requirement

A public presentation of each senior student’s work, normally in the student’s final semester, is a requirement for graduation. Each student may satisfy this requirement with an exhibition or, where appropriate, a screening, performance, or publication. No student will be permitted to receive a degree unless this requirement is completed to the satisfaction of the faculty and the dean of the School of Art at a mutually agreed upon time and venue. Completion of the requirement will be reflected on the student’s transcript. The 41 Cooper Gallery will be reserved for senior student exhibitions during much of the spring semester; other appropriate exhibition spaces will also be made available.

Progress Toward the Degree

Students are expected to maintain normal progress toward their degrees.

Normal progress in the Foundation year is defined as completing all courses in the Foundation curriculum.

Normal progress in any semester after the Foundation year, and for transfer students, is defined as completing an appropriate balance of fine arts, general academic studies requirements, general academic studies electives, and free elective courses such that the student can finish all degree requirements in the number of semesters allotted.

Students should use online resources and consult with the Office of Academic Advising & Off-Campus Programs in order to assess their progress towards the degree.

Exchange Program

The School of Art offers a number of exchange programs with schools abroad. They currently include opportunities for a junior-year semester of study in the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, or Sweden. Students should consult the Office of Academic Advising & Off-Campus Programs as early as possible for information about these exchange opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements for the Exchange Program

Students who have completed at least 64 credits toward the BFA degree, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and have no outstanding first- and second-year requirements, may apply for one semester of exchange. The student must maintain good academic standing in the semester prior to departure, otherwise permission to participate may be revoked.

Transfer students must have completed at least 32 credits in residence at The Cooper Union before applying for exchange and must have an additional 32 credits to complete in residence upon their return. Transfer students must also have met all first- and second-year requirements and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Students applying for exchange must be in residence during the semester when they are completing the application process.

Students may earn a maximum of 12 credits in studio courses for one semester of study on exchange. A maximum of 6 credits may be awarded by any one faculty member for work done while on exchange. Typically, students do not take courses toward their requirements in the humanities, social sciences, or sciences while on exchange. Students must therefore complete additional coursework in these areas in the semesters before and after exchange.

Since foreign schools may have academic calendars at variance with that of The Cooper Union, students studying on exchange who cannot return in time for the start of the next semester at the School of Art must request a discretionary leave of absence for that semester.

Students may participate in exchange only once during their stay at The Cooper Union.

Students from other institutions who are enrolled at the School of Art as exchange students may not apply to transfer to The Cooper Union School of Art while in residence at The Cooper Union.