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BFA Program Offerings

Design your own inter-disciplinary art school experience.

At AAC, we believe that you don’t need to know exactly what you want to do – or who you are – on your first day of school. We’re excited to help you through that process. We’ve started by curating programs we’d love to take. Try just one or two, or tackle them all: It’s your choice.

Undergrad program by year

1

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE

:

2

MAJOR COURSES

:

1

FOURTH YEAR

1:2:1

Curriculum Overview

The AAC maintains a unique 1:2:1 curriculum that optimizes our carefully curated enrollment size to offer the greatest possibility of breadth, depth, collaboration, and personal engagement in art and design throughout the four-year program. Each first year BFA student begins with the First Year Experience (FYE), second and third years provide in-depth learning within a specific discipline accompanied by a wide range of Studio Arts and Liberal Arts electives, then fourth year students from all majors come together in the Senior Pathways Studio experiences to focus on the work that defines them as artists, designers, and writers.

The Senior Thesis is comprised of three essential components:

1.) A comprehensive written statement articulating pertinent issues and concerns in the culminating body of work

2.) Formal Capstone Project

3.) A Culminating Capstone Review

BFA Curriculum Overview

The Art Academy of Cincinnati grants the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with majors in Creative Writing, Design, Illustration, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Print Media, and Sculpture upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements. The AAC maintains a unique 1:2:1 curriculum that optimizes our carefully curated enrollment size to offer the greatest possibility of breadth, depth, collaboration, and personal engagement in art and design throughout the four-year program. Each firstyear BFA student begins with the First Year Experience (FYE), which consists of two semesters of courses in Art History, English, and Studio Arts. The Studio Arts component of the FYE provides sufficient breadth to allow students opportunities to investigate various media and personal expression while providing depth as they prepare for their chosen majors.

The second and third years provide in-depth learning within a specific discipline accompanied by a wide range of Studio Arts and Liberal Arts electives. Professional Practice coursework at both the Sophomore and Junior levels are hallmarks of the second and third years of the program.

In the fourth year, students from all majors come together in the Senior Pathways Studio experiences to focus on the work that defines them as artists, designers, and writers. Faculty from the major disciplines work with all the students in a collaborative and trans-disciplinary environment. Each student is required to successfully complete the Senior Capstone Experience in order to demonstrate achievement of the AAC Educational Goal, the AAC Educational Objectives, and the Educational Outcomes for the chosen major. The Senior Thesis is comprised of three essential components: 1.) a comprehensive written statement articulating pertinent issues and concerns in the culminating body of work; 2.) Formal Capstone Project, and 3.) a Culminating Capstone Review.

Exclusive BFA Minors

All other majors can be taken as a minor, but these two are exclusive as minors. 

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Other Programs

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Associate of Science
in Graphic Design

Go from zero to ready for anything.

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Master of Arts
in Art Education

Focus on yourself, for your students.

Need help selecting the perfect programs for you? No problem.

Want to try everything? Have no idea where to start? As the newest member of our community, we’re here to help you. We’ve got years of expertise, and we’ve got your back. Reach out, and our team of experienced mentors will help you design the best academic track possible.
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Due To Inclement Weather

Classes are cancelled

January 25th, 2023

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