BFA Portfolio Review and Application

All students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts must complete the following steps for continued successful degree enrollment and to meet graduation requirements.

  • Students must be admitted to The University of Alabama in Huntsville through the Office of Admissions by entry term deadlines.
  • Enroll in the correct courses each semester as indicated by your Academic Advisor and your faculty mentor.
  • A Successful completion of the BFA Portfolio Review
    • The objective of the BFA Portfolio Review is to determine whether a student possesses the appropriate skills and work ethic to succeed in the upper-level courses of the concentration.
      • You must have completed all four foundations classes (ARS 160, 260, 123 & 140), the 200-level (introductory) class in your concentration, and at least one 300-level class in the concentration at UAH with an overall 3.0 GPA in art/art history. For example, if you finish your required courses in the fall, you will complete the BFA Portfolio Review & Application in the Spring.
      • For transfer students, in addition to the above requirements that you may transfer from your previous college/university, you must have completed two studio art classes here at UAH.
      • NOTE: You must apply before completing 54 credit hours (no more than 18 classes) in art/art history.
      • NOTE:  The BFA Portfolio Review and Application is NOT the same as enrolling in the ARS 390 Portfolio Development Class. This course is to be taken after a successful BFA Portfolio Review and Application. The course typically occurs in year 3 or 1 year prior to your graduating term.
Portfolios are reviewed twice per year. Please adhere to the submission deadlines

Priority application deadline Fall Semester, October 1
Priority application deadline Spring Semester, March 1

Instructions to Prepare & Submit Your BFA Portfolio Review
  • Complete BFA Portfolio Review Application 
    • BFA Portfolio Application
  • In your application, be prepared to write two short essays that include:
    Tell us about yourself and how you developed an interest in art. (250-300 words)
    Why do you think the BFA is best for you? (250-300 words)
  • In your application, you will be requested to upload an “unofficial” copy of your transcript (available by going to My.UAH.edu).

Once you have submitted the application, a faculty member will reach out with details on the date you will install your work for faculty review. You will need five pieces that fit the following criteria:

  • One Drawing (traditional techniques, no digital drawing)
  • One piece in any media using color
  • One 3D piece (physical object)
  • Two works in your areas of concentration
For Questions Contact:

Jill Johnson, Department Chair of Art, Art History, and Design at johnsok1@uah.edu and Ilene Galloway, Art Coordinator at gallowi@uah.edu.