Students can choose to pursue Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts
By Rachel Chaikof
SCAD-Atlanta currently offers undergraduate students the option of pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Arts. Choosing a major is a personal decision, according to Chris Brandner, director ofadmission. The B.A. programs are an additional option for undergraduate students who want to obtain anart degree but are seeking more emphasis on general education coursework than the B.F.A. programs.For the 2007-08 academic year SCAD-Atlantaoffered seven B.A. programs, according Ami Waller-Ivanecky, undergraduate academic advisor:B.A. programs in Visual CommunicationAdvertising Design, Illustration, Sequential Art,Photography, Graphic DesignB.A. programs in Digital MediaInteractive Design and Game DevelopementFor the 2008-09 academic year, there may be additional programs, but these have not been finalized at this time, according to Waller-Ivanecky. All programs at SCAD require 180 quarter hours of credit in specified coursework that is divided between fine art foundation courses, general education courses, major or concentration curriculum, and electives, according to Waller-Ivanecky. The difference between the two programs is in the distribution of credit between these areas of study:The GPA requirement for graduation is consistent across both programs:B.A.: 3.0 GPA is required in theconcentration of choiceB.F.A.: 3.0 GPA is required in the major of choice.(A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required across all coursework.)Selecting a program of study requires a student to self-evaluate his/her goals, according to Waller-Ivanecky. “This is important whether selecting a major, a double major, adding a minor (or two), or choosing whether to pursue a B.A. or a B.F.A,” said Waller-Ivanecky. This question has to be answered on a case-by-case basis. According to Waller-Ivanecky, these questions should be explored with the student’s academic advisor and faculty advisor.• What kind of career is the student pursuing?• What are the selection criteria of the potentialemployers in the student’s area of interest?• Does the student want to focus on developingan extensive portfolio of work in a specific discipline? Does the student want a broad perspective andopportunities to explore a concentration withoutgoing into as much depth?• Is the student starting as a first-term student at SCAD or transferring in from another institution? For transfer students, how will previous coursework fit into a SCAD program of study?• Does the student plan to pursue graduate school following completion of the undergraduate degree?If so, what type of degree or program is the studentconsidering? What skills or competencies should astudent be able to demonstrate for admission to the graduate school(s) of choice?It is important for a student to consider their ultimate career goals, according to Brandner.Depending upon their intended career, students may want to choose a major that focuses more ontheir major curriculum than the general education coursework or vice versa, according to Brandner.“Your academic advisor is truly your best resource to any questions you may have regarding your intended major,” she said.Meeting with career services may provide further information on potential employers and the skills these employers are seeking in future employees, according to Waller-Ivanecky. “An informed student is in the best position to make wise choices and decisions,” she said.