Major/Minor

Requirements for the Studio Art Major

Download checklist for the Studio Art major

A. ARTH 100 and 101 (Introduction to the History of Art, Parts I & II). 

B. ARTS 105 (Drawing I)

C. Any two of the following: ARTS 106, ARTS 108, ARTS109, ARTS113, ARTS 165 

D. An art history course addressing Twentieth-Century or Contemporary Art

E. At least five studio courses above the 100-level. At least two of these must be at the advanced (300) level.  Note that some 300-level studio art courses may be elected more than once for credit in the major. Students may elect to pursue a 350, but may not substitute it for one of the 300 level requirements in the major.

F. Formal presentation of an independent, thesis, or advanced studio art project in the senior exhibition.  

Requirements for the Studio Art Minor

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A studio art minor must elect a total of seven units consisting of ARTH 101, ARTS 105, one unit of either ARTS 106, ARTS 108, ARTS 109, ARTS 113, or ARTS 165, plus four additional studio courses, one of which is at the 300-level (ARTS 250s and ARTS 350s excluded). Students completing the studio art minor are encouraged to participate in the senior exhibition in May. 

Additional Information

Studio art majors and minors should complete all 100-level requirements (including the Art History survey courses) during their first two years at Wellesley before concentrating in a particular medium or studying abroad. Ordinarily, no more than two units of transfer credit (one studio, one art history) may be counted towards a major in the department of art. AP and IB courses are not applicable towards the minimum 11 units required for a studio art major. Given that most intermediate and advanced studio courses have prerequisites, students are encouraged to work out a plan of study so
as to be prepared to concentrate on advanced projects during the senior year. 

Studio Art / Art History Double Major

For the double major, a student must elect ARTH 100 and 101, six additional units in art history (according to the requirements for the art history major, with at least one course in modern art or contemporary art) and eight units in studio art (according to the requirements in studio art for the studio major), for a total of 16 units. A minimum of two courses must be taken at the 300-level in each major. Note that minors are available in both studio art and art history.

Note

For the purposes of meeting the “18 units” requirement (See Academic Program, Other Requirements or Articles of Legislation, Book II, Article I, Section 8, A), studio art and art history are considered separate departments. Courses in art history are counted as courses “outside the department” for studio art majors, and those in studio art are considered “outside of the department” for art history majors.

Teacher Certification

Students interested in obtaining certification to teach art in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should consult the director of studio art and the chair of the Department of Education.