Arts | College of the

Established in 1925, the College of the Arts offers fully accredited schools of Art and Art History, Music, and Theatre and Dance, as well as the Center for Arts in Medicine and the Digital Worlds Institute.

Contact

101 Fine Arts Building A
1389 Stadium Road
P.O. Box 115800
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-1930

352.392.0207

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Established

1925 through the School of Architecture. Became its own college in 1975.

Accredited

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), and National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)

Programs

Baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degree programs

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in History of Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Divisions

Related Partnerships

Visual Resources Center

More than 200,000 slides, photographs, and study prints are available for college and university faculty and students to use for presentations or lectures.

Libraries

In addition to the main university library, there is also a library for Architecture and Fine Arts.

Helpful Links

Admission Requirements

Students planning to major in any program in the arts should contact the College of the Arts as soon as possible. Because of limitations in faculty and space, the college cannot accept all eligible applicants; admission, therefore, is selective.
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Auditions are required for admission to all music programs and to the BFA programs in theatre and dance. Refer to the appropriate school for audition information. A student’s entire record, including educational objective, pattern of courses completed, quality of academic record, successful audition or portfolio review, and test data will be considered.

Native Freshmen and Sophomores

Because the College of the Arts offers professional degrees (BFA and BMus) and a limited access BA program in digital arts and sciences, the admissions process often occurs in two phases.

  1. Conditional admission as a freshman to the college and a program of choice in the School of Theatre and Dance (BA only), the School of Art + Art History or the UF Digital Worlds Institute. There is no conditional admission for music students; they must audition for direct admission to music programs before registering for classes.
  2. Direct or confirmed admission into a specific program of choice occurs in different stages of the academic career for different programs.

Art

Students desiring to change from another major within the university must submit a portfolio for conditional admission. All art students must pass a portfolio review at the end of their sophomore year before direct admission to a specific program.

Digital Arts and Sciences

Students must submit a portfolio of original student work, demonstrating competency in digital design, time-based media, and interactive media/programming, by March 15 of the sophomore year for approval to begin upper division coursework the following Fall.

Music

All students must audition for admission to a music major.

Theatre and Dance

Students must audition for direct admission to BFA programs.

Students, even those in the conditional phase of their program, maintain the College of the Arts (FA) classification as long as they meet the standards set by the college and UF for admission and universal tracking.

Transfer Students

To be eligible for admission to the college, a transfer student must satisfy the minimum requirements for UF admission.

The primary criterion for any art, dance, digital arts and sciences, music, or theatre program is proficiency in the discipline. All students, except for BA in theatre or dance, must present an audition, portfolio, or other required support material for review.

The majority of 3000/4000-level professional courses required for the major in the junior and senior years generally cannot be taken at other schools. Students attending four-year colleges should take courses similar to the first two years’ preparatory courses for their intended major.

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is recommended for students transferring from a Florida public college; the degree should be posted on the student’s transcript before admission.

Transfer students are advised to plan their studies as outlined below for each department or school. Transfer students, even with completed AA degrees, will usually be required to take additional preprofessional, lower-division (2000 level) courses beyond the minimum courses, required for entry into a specific program.

Art

Art and Graphic Design applicants must also pass a portfolio review to gain admission. Portfolio admissions processes and deadlines can be found on the School of Art  + Art History admissions webpages. Please note: the UF Office of Admissions deadlines vary by program and semester.  Consult the UF Office of Admissions website for deadline information.

Please see the website for up-to-date prerequisite information and application instructions.
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All majors within the School of Art + Art History require a portfolio review, except art history, which does require a letter of intent outlining the applicant’s goals as related to that major. Refer to the School of Art + Art History website for further clarification.
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Dance

Students are admitted to the BFA program following completion of the following:

  • A satisfactory in-person or videotaped audition
  • A résumé
  • Acceptable proficiency in dance technique

The state college program should include:

  • Two years of dance technique, including ballet, modern, and jazz
  • One year of dance composition

Digital Arts and Sciences

Students are admitted to the program following completion of the following:

  • Satisfactory submission of the portfolio of original student work, demonstrating competency in digital design, time-based media, and interactive media/programming.
  • Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA:
    ARH 2000Art Appreciation: American Diversity and Global Arts3
    ARH 2050Introduction to the Principles and History of Art 13
    ARH 2051Introduction to the Principles and History of Art 23
    MAC 1140Precalculus Algebra (or higher)3
    At least one course in Studio Art or Computer Programming.

The state college program should include work required to earn the AA degree and the type of General Education and recommended electives found in the degree description. Applicants should note that the UF Office of Admissions deadline for Fall is March 1, and the submission deadline for the portfolio is March 15. Refer to the Digital Worlds Institute website for instructions on submitting the portfolio.
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Music

Upper-division professional students have an AA or at least 60 credits at the time of matriculation, and have  completed the coursework required for admission at the professional level (listed below). Transfer students who do not meet the criteria for admission at the professional level may be admitted as provisional. If a student does not have an AA degree or at least 60 credits, they should refer to the lower division information above. All transfer students with an Associate of Arts degree or with 60 credits accumulated must be accepted into a specific college when they apply to the University of Florida.

Upper-division provisional students have an AA or at least 60 credits at the time of matriculation, but have not completed the coursework required for admission at the professional level (listed below). This includes students who have transferred from community colleges that do not offer music programs, students who have not successfully completed the theory requirements, etc. Community college students, with or without an AA degree, who have not completed the required preprofessional coursework will audition at the "preprofessional level." All students auditioning at the "preprofessional level" will take a theory exam for placement within the theory program and must then successfully pass the final Comprehensive Musicianship Exam upon completion of the theory coursework assigned for remediation.

Requirements for admission at the Professional level:

Courses

  • Four semesters of applied studio (8 credits)
  • Four semesters of ensemble (4 credits)
  • Four semesters of recital attendance
  • Four semesters of theory (12 credits)
  • Four semesters of secondary piano (4 credits)

Competency Requirements

  • 3000 level Preprofessional Jury
  • Comprehensive Musicianship Examination (CME)

Grade Point Average Minimums

  • 2.5 for Music Education
  • 2.0 for all other degree tracks

Theatre

 Students are admitted to the program following completion of a satisfactory audition in performance or a portfolio review in production.

The state college program should include:

  • One course in acting
  • Introduction to theatre
  • Costume and stage make-up
  • Stagecraft

Timely Graduation

The College of the Arts expects full-time enrollment for students enrolled in bachelor’s level degree programs. COTA majors are expected to graduate within the following timeframes: eight full-time Fall/Spring semesters for students admitted as freshmen, and six Fall/Spring semesters for students admitted as junior transfers. Full-term withdrawals, full-term semesters of overseas study, or full-term semesters of internship away from UF are not included in this count, although students should be mindful of potential excess hours implications of extending their time at UF.  

Students who cannot meet their degree requirements within the eight full-time semesters (six for transfer students) are expected to enroll in summer terms to complete their degree requirements.

Due to the sequencing of course requirements, some AA and upper-division transfer students may be unable to complete their degree requirements in the six allotted semesters. Students should see their respective advisor to determine an appropriate academic plan to complete their degrees.

Request for Additional Semesters Guidelines

COTA recognizes that unexpected life events, individual circumstances, or complex educational goals may necessitate additional time to complete degree requirements. Additional time to degree is permitted with the approval of the College Petitions Committee, and may be limited to fulfillment of unmet degree requirements only.

COTA generally approves graduation extensions for the following reasons:

  • Series of approved medical drops, medical withdrawals, or approved reduced course load lower than 12 credits for full-time status via the DRC
  • Personal/financial hardship necessitating the student cease enrollment or enroll at less than full time for one or more semesters

COTA does not approve graduation extensions for students on academic probation nor for students seeking to finish requirements for minors or certificates, or prerequisites for graduate study.

Dual Degrees | Double Majors | Combination Degrees

The college recognizes and commends the many COTA students with ambitious educational goals involving the pursuit of dual-degree, double major, or combination degree plans. COTA expects these students to utilize robust Fall/Spring course loads (i.e., more than 12 credits in Fall/Spring terms) and Summer term enrollment to complete all degree requirements as expeditiously as possible. 

  • Students who plan to pursue a dual-degree or double major should work with their advisor to create a reasonable semester plan that achieves degree completion as soon as possible. COTA generally permits a maximum of one additional year (two full-time semesters with some additional Summer coursework) for students pursuing dual-degree/double majors.
  • COTA approves additional semesters for dual degrees with majors that already require more than eight full-time semesters for degree completion (e.g., Mechanical Engineering).

Change of Major


COTA recognizes that the major selected when a student starts at UF is not always the right major. Students wishing to change majors into a COTA major should work with the respective advisor to determine the feasibility of timely graduation in the new major.

  • COTA expects these students to utilize robust Fall/Spring course loads (i.e., more than 12 credits in Fall/Spring terms) and Summer term enrollment to catch up and complete all degree requirements as expeditiously as possible. 
  • COTA generally permits a maximum of one additional year (two full-time semesters with some additional Summer coursework) for students who have changed majors into a COTA major and are unable to complete degree requirements in the standard eight-semester timeframe.
  • Due to state of Florida excess hours legislation, it is critical to consult with your COTA advisor to explore the options available so as to graduate as soon as possible but also incur the least amount of excess hours. Many students find pursuing the BA degree options enable timely graduation with a more reasonable number of credits.

PROCEDURES

1.  Students should meet with their undergraduate advisor for guidance regarding their academic goals and graduation timeline

2. If graduation timeline exceeds the allotted four-year timeframe, submit a Graduation Extension Petition

3. The undergraduate advisor will review the petition in consultation with the COTA Petitions Committee and notify the student of the status (approved, denied, or additional information requested)

Students should discuss their excess hours standing with their advisor as they are making their plan. In addition, students should discuss their financial aid/scholarship situation with Student Financial Affairs in 107 Criser Hall or Veterans Services in 222 Criser Hall.

College Requirements

Student Responsibility

Students are responsible for staying on track, for registering for the proper courses, and for fulfilling all requirements for their degrees.

While the college has academic advisors in each unit to assist, the student is responsible for meeting all degree requirements. Students should read their degree audits each term and meet with an advisor to review progress toward the degree.

Students may be required to take additional courses to remove skill deficiencies when deemed necessary by proficiency exams.

Course Load

The college expects all students to be enrolled as full-time students (a minimum of 12 credits per semester). The college strongly encourages students to take 15 credits per semester to successfully meet degree requirements as soon as possible. A student who wishes to carry more than 18 credits must get approval at the time of registration from a college academic advisor.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students maintain satisfactory academic progress by earning a minimum 2.0 (C) GPA for all work attempted while classified in the college (2.5, C+ average in music education and a 3.0 (B) average for all School of Art + Art History majors).

Students must take courses as outlined in the semester plan for each major. Students should see an advisor for more information. Students are required to take courses in sequence. Students may be excluded from a program of study in the college if they fail or refuse to maintain normal academic progress.

School of Art + Art History majors must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress within their program in order to be approved to pursue minors, certificates, dual degrees, double majors, internships for credit, and study abroad.

College Probation and Dismissal

Students should see an advisor in their department for information about department-level probation. Students should review the University of Florida's probation and dismissal policies.
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Adding/Dropping/Withdrawing

Refer to the policy for dropping courses.
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Petitions

Any student who feels that college regulations created a particular hardship or injustice may petition for a waiver of the regulation. Information on procedures is available in the advisor’s office. Anyone who believes that they have been discriminated against should contact their advisor or the associate dean for academic and student affairs.

Helpful Links

To be eligible for graduation, the student must earn a minimum 2.0 (C) GPA for all work attempted in the appropriate curriculum while classified in the college (2.5 for music education, art). Specific grade requirements for various curricula are available from the school or dean’s office.

GRADUATING WITH HONORS

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Residence Requirement

The last 30 semester credits applied toward a degree must be completed in residence in the college. This requirement may be waived only in special cases and must be approved in advance.

Student Work

The college reserves the right to retain student work for the purpose of record, exhibition, or instruction.

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MAJORS

MINORS

CERTIFICATES

Admission and Satisfactory Progress

Art

Admission Requirements for UF freshmen and Sophomores not Currently Majoring in Art

Freshmen and sophomores who would like to change their majors to an art studio major must submit a conditional portfolio of no more than ten pieces of artwork. An art faculty committee will review these portfolios and accept or deny conditional admission into an art studio major. Upon conditional admission, a student will begin lower-division art studio courses. A professional portfolio must be submitted to gain admission into the upper-division studio art programs (3000/4000-level courses).

Students Interested in Changing their Majors to Art History 

Complete ARH 2050 and ARH 2051 with no grade lower than a B before gaining admission.

Students may not change their majors to an art major if they are currently on probation in their college. Students may not change their majors to an art major after having completed 75 credits, which includes current enrollment.

Preparation for Degrees in Art | Art History, Graphic Design, and Studio Art

Admission to the BFA, BAHA, or BA degree programs is not automatic. At the end of the sophomore year or 60 credits, all students must meet minimum GPA requirements and submit a portfolio based upon the previous two years’ art work for admission to the 3000-level course sequence in their concentration. All students are encouraged to work with faculty members in order to submit the best portfolio possible. Admission is highly selective and competitive. The portfolio deadline for Fall admission is March 1.

Upper-Division Transfer Admission

The Office of Admissions determines the transferability of credit earned at other institutions. Upper-division transfer students (applicants with at least 60 credit credits) may transfer no more than 60 credits from a public college as part of the credits required for a UF degree; this limit does not apply to coursework taken at a four-year institution. Students who have achieved advanced upper-division status, 90 credits or more at a four-year institution, may not be admitted.

Transfer students who have been accepted into UF to a major other than one in SAAH must complete all of the prerequisite courses at another institution and submit a professional portfolio according to the March 1 deadline for admission into an upper-division art major.

Satisfactory Progress

Students maintain normal academic progress by earning a 3.0 (B) average for all School of Art + Art History majors.  All coursework required for School of Art + Art History majors must be completed with minimum grades of C. Art and Graphic Design majors must also pass a sophomore year portfolio review.

Students must take courses as outlined in the semester plan for each major.  Students are required to take courses in sequence.  Students may be excluded from a program of study in the college if they fail or refuse to maintain normal academic progress.

Dance

Admission

Admission is selective and students must audition successfully. Dance auditions may be scheduled throughout the year. Students audition in two technique courses of different styles, one course at intermediate level or higher. A résumé also is required. Video audition tapes will be considered. Performance audition ratings may be used for placement level in studio course sequences. Students must consult the department advisor for specific information regarding selective admission protocols.

Satisfactory Progress

Students must receive a minimum grade of C in all major courses and stand for periodic academic and artistic reviews. Majors are guaranteed participation in the production program through the production and performance laboratory course and are expected to attend scheduled departmentals.

Digital Arts and Sciences | DAS

Admission

Admission to the upper-division BA in DAS degree is not automatic. By the end of the sophomore year (or 60 credits of undergraduate coursework), all students must meet minimum GPA requirements and have submitted a portfolio of original work, demonstrating competency in digital design, time-based media, and interactive media/programming. The UF Office of Admissions deadline for Fall is March 1; the deadline for portfolio submission is March 15.

Satisfactory Progress

Students must receive minimum grades of C in all courses for the major and stand for periodic academic and program reviews.

Upper-Division Transfer Admission

The Office of Admissions determines the transferability of credit earned at other institutions. Upper-division transfer students (applicants with at least 60 credits) may transfer no more than 60 credits from a public college as part of the credits required for a UF degree; this limit does not apply to coursework taken at a four-year institution. Students who have achieved advanced upper-division status, 90 credits or more at a four-year institution, may not be admitted.

Transfer students who do not have a completed application on file by the deadline, including all required documentation, transcripts, etc., will not be considered for admission and must apply for a subsequent term.

Music

Admission

Admission to any curricula in the School of Music includes an audition and acceptance in a performance area. A minimum 2.0 GPA is required, except in music education where a 2.5 GPA is required. Prospective majors should contact the school’s director of admission as early as possible.

School Requirements

For admission to the professional level of study, all music majors must complete:

  • Musicianship Assessment Jury, taken at the end of the theory sequence (usually at completion of 60 credits)
  • Secondary Piano Levels I to IV with minimum grades of C or successful completion of the secondary piano proficiency exam
  • The Preprofessional Performance Jury (taken the last semester of MV_ 2XXX)
  • Ensemble semesters as required by the student’s degree track
  • Four semesters of Recital Attendance (MUS 1010) with grades of S

A comprehensive musicianship jury will take place at the end of each semester of theory. The final comprehensive musicianship exam will be taken at this jury after four semester of theory. All students must pass this exam whether theory courses are completed at UF or are transferred from another institution. Transfer students must successfully complete at UF, with minimum grades of C, any remedial coursework assigned by the School of Music before taking the final comprehensive musicianship exam.

Students who exhibit excellent potential as music majors but who are not adequately prepared to enter the theory sequence as required by the degree track, may be granted provisional status. Students with provisional status are placed in MUT 1001. After successfully completing MUT 1001, provisional students are eligible for classification as preprofessional music majors.

Transfer students, with or without A.A. degrees, who have satisfactorily completed the required four semesters of music theory sequence and four semesters of lower-division performance study, and four semesters of piano skills, must successfully pass a comprehensive musicianship exam during auditions to the School of Music to be considered a junior. Those students who have not met the above requirements must take a comprehensive musicianship exam for placement within the theory program and must then successfully pass a comprehensive musicianship exam upon completion of the theory coursework assigned for remediation.

Music majors must earn a minimum grade of C in each required music course, both to fulfill degree requirements and to advance to the next level. All music students must stand for a performance examination each term they are enrolled in performance study. No course can be repeated more than once, except for ensembles, performance courses and project courses. Consult the school’s undergraduate student handbook for specific requirements.

General Education Requirements

  • Students can fulfill three credits of the mathematics requirements by taking PHI 2100 or computer sciences courses.
  • All music majors will take in humanities:
    MUH 3211Music History Survey 13
    MUH 3212Music History Survey 23
    MUH elective(MUH 2501 or any MUH 3000/4000-level course)3
    Bachelor of Music Education Only
    Select one of the following:3
    MUH 2501
    		Introduction to World Musics
    MUH 3530Popular and Traditional Musics of Africa3
    MUH 3541
    		Latin American Music
  • Students in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education program must fulfill six of the 9-credit social/behavioral sciences requirement by taking EDF 2085 and PSY 2012.
  • In the School of Music, the following required courses are classified as international courses: MUH 3211 and MUH 3212.
  • A student should take a minimum of three credits in Biological or Physical Science while completing the 9-credit Physical/Biological Science requirement. Music Education majors cannot vary credits in General Education, but must complete them according to state mandates.

Speech and Reading Requirements / Education Requirements: The speech requirement for music education is met through MUE 3311 and MUE 3330; the reading requirement is met through RED 3312. The introductory education and technology courses required by the College of Education are MUE 2040 and MUS 1360.

Theatre

Admission

Admission to the Department of Theatre and Dance is selective. Before admission to the BFA program, students must audition successfully for the acting or music theatre major, or present a portfolio for the production major in scene, costume or lighting design. A résumé also is required. Video audition tapes will be considered.

Performance audition or design portfolio review ratings can establish the student’s placement level in studio course sequences. Students must consult the department advisor for admission audition/portfolio requirements and deadlines.

Students seeking admission to the BA programs must schedule an admission interview with the theatre advisor before starting the preprofessional courses.

Satisfactory Progress

Students must receive minimum grades of C in all courses in the major and stand for periodic academic and artistic reviews. All majors are guaranteed participation in the production program through the production and performance laboratory course and are expected to attend scheduled departmentals.