The Division of Art has six new undergraduate degree pathways proposed for the 2026–27 academic year. These programs will replace the current BA in Art structure and provide students with focused areas of study in contemporary art practice. Admission varies depending on the date you enter UW and begin the process of becoming an Art major. See details below.
Declaring the Major Before October 9, 2026
Until October 9, 2026, enrolled UW students may declare the current Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art. The BA in Art is an open major with minimum requirements and does not accept post-baccalaureate applicants. Students declaring the BA in Art choose one of three concentrations: 3D4M, Painting + Drawing, or Photo/Media.
Eligibility
- Must be an enrolled student at UW
- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Have completed any 5-credit 100- or 200-level studio art class with a 2.5 GPA or higher
Process
Students may declare the major as soon as they have met the prerequisites listed above and decided on a concentration. To declare the major, please make an appointment with Academic Advising before October 9, 2026. There is no formal application process to declare the BA in Art.
When should I declare the Art major?
University policy requires that students declare a major by the time they have accumulated 105 credits or five quarters, whichever comes last. Most students declare the BA in Art as their major by the end of their freshman year after completing the studio art class requirement.
Transfer students who meet all the requirements (including the studio art class requirement) at the time of admission may declare the major after their registration date. Students transferring with 90 or more credits should be prepared to declare the major during the first quarter of attendance at UW.
Transferring Credits
A maximum of 15 credits of studio art and 10 credits of Art History may be transferred in and applied towards the credit requirements for the BA in Art. Transfer students with 90 or more credits should (but are not required to) have most of the General Education Requirements at the time of transfer.
Transfer students admitted for Autumn 2026 are eligible to declare the BA in Art until October 9, 2026.
Admission After October 9, 2026
Proposals are underway for six new degree pathways in Art for the 2026–27 academic year. Students interested in pursuing Art at UW will be able to choose from one of six degree pathways:
Bachelor of Arts
Three-Dimensional Forum — Ceramics, Glass, Sculpture (3D4M)
Painting and Printmaking
Photo, Media, New Genres
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Three-Dimensional Forum — Ceramics, Glass, Sculpture (3D4M)
Painting and Printmaking
Photo, Media, New Genres
The BA and BFA degree options are studio-based, experiential programs that foster conceptual inquiry, critical thinking, and creative practice. Both degrees provide focused study in one of three areas of art: 3D4M, Painting and Printmaking, or Photo, Media, New Genres. The BA offers concentrated study in art with flexibility for coursework across the university. The BFA offers a more intensive studio experience with additional upper-division studio credits for students seeking greater depth in their chosen area of art.
The admissions process takes place each spring quarter (March–June) for the cohort beginning the following academic year in Autumn quarter (September). Admission is selective and application-based. Approximately 30–40 students are admitted to each major annually.
Eligibility
Current UW students must have 15 credits of introductory ART coursework completed or slated to be completed by the end of the Spring quarter they are applying.
- Students applying for Painting and Printmaking must take ART 190 as one of their introductory studio classes
- Students applying for 3D4M must take ART 233, ART 253, or ART 272 as one of their introductory studio classes
- Students applying for Photo, Media, New Genres must take ART 140, ART 141, or ART 142 as one of their introductory studio classes
Transfer students (starting Autumn 2027) must submit an application to Art by the Spring deadline before their intended Autumn quarter entrance.
Transfer students should plan to have 15 credits of introductory studio art coursework completed or slated to be completed by the end of the Spring quarter they are applying.
Application Process
Eligible students can apply to one of the Art majors by submitting the application form with the required materials. Applications open in March and close at the end of May for admission to the major the following Autumn quarter. Applicants receive decision notifications by early Summer quarter.
Application Requirements
The application form requires the following materials:
- Name
- Intended major
- Short answer questions
- Portfolio
- Image list
Visit the application page for detailed instructions and tips on how to put together each of the materials. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered.