Art and Design Survival Guide

Art and Design Core Classes and Sequencing of Upper Level Courses

All incoming students need to be aware that there are 20 hours of art core classes that every art student must take. Your goal should be to take these classes in your first two years of study. Do not put them off!

Freshmen

Fall Semester

It is absolutely necessary that you register for Drawing Fundamentals and Design the first semester of your freshman year - these are foundation courses which are not generally taught second semester. They are required before you can progress further in your major.

Spring Semester
Classes available to freshmen are:

• Advanced Drawing: Enroll if your major is art education, graphic design, or studio. This is a core class so take this class now because it will benefit you greatly in future studio work. 
• Painting I: A core class. You will have an opportunity to take it second semester of the sophomore year, but if you wish to maximize the number of hours you can take in painting, this is the best time to start. 
• Sculpture I: A core class. You will have an opportunity to take it second semester of the sophomore year, but if you wish to maximize the number of hours you can take in sculpture, this is the best time to start. 
• Digital Imaging: A core class. This course will be taken by all majors. Those majoring in graphic design are advised to take the class.

Sophomores

The second year should be spent finishing the art core classes and beginning to take Art History. While ideally Art History should be taken in sequence over the course of three semesters, it is not mandatory. If Art History II is being taught first semester, it is best to enroll in it and pick up Art History I in your Junior year. If Art History III is being taught first semester, it is better to wait until second semester to start the sequence.

Graphic design students should take Graphic Design I Fall Semester. Graphic design courses are sequenced; if you fail to enroll now, it will add a year to your program!

Art education students, if you haven’t taken K-8 Art, do so now! Remember that some of your classes are on a 3-4 semester rotation. Therefore, you may have at the most two chances of taking an art education class. If you are a transfer student, your opportunities can be even more limited. It is very important that your advising be completed with caution — work out your course of study with your advisor carefully, especially during sophomore-senior year, so that tracking can be done and a cohort group of students established.

Studio majors should finish the core classes and begin to take second level studio courses.

Juniors

Art education majors should take Secondary School Art, preferably when you take EDU Secondary Schools. Multicultural Arts should preferably be taken AFTER you have had Art History I, II, and III, so take this class during your junior or early senior year (art education usually are 5 year students).

Fall Semester

First semester junior Graphic Design majors should contact the graphic design instructor for information about the process of signing up for the required Art 497 Art Internship.

The internship is designed to give the student a hands-on experience working for a company that employs graphic designers. Students should have adequate preparation in art classes from freshmen through junior years in order to be a productive member in a work related situation. Students will access their strengths and weaknesses during this time period as they prepare themselves to enter the job market upon graduation.

Spring Semester

Art Education and Studio majors must have a show in Nordstrand Visual Arts Gallery during their senior year. Since the Gallery schedule for next year must be completed during this semester, you must inform the Gallery Director, Andy Haslit, of your intent to graduate in the next academic year. This spring registration period is the time to see Meghan O’Connor to sign up for Senior Exhibition if you will have your exhibit fall or spring semester of the following academic year.

Graphic Design students should begin looking for internships and contacting their advisor, Graphic Design Professor and Career Services/Internship Program (7327/7425) in the Student Center, room 101.

Seniors

Graphic Design
Sign up for Senior Portfolio spring semester.

Art Education
Take Art Methods (EDU 409), preferably the semester prior to your student teaching. Senior Exhibition should also be taken the semester prior to your student teaching. Remember that some of your classes are on a 3-4 semester rotation. Therefore, you may have at the most two chances of taking an art education class. If you are a transfer student, your opportunities can be even more limited. It is very important that your advising be completed with caution-- work out your course of study with your advisor carefully, especially during sophomore-senior year, so that tracking can be done and a cohort group of students established. 

Studio Art
Sign up for Senior Exhibition so it coincides with your last semester at WSC. 

Transfer Students

Transfer students are eligible for admission to WSC provided they have maintained a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or higher (on a 4.0 point scale) and are not on current academic suspension from their previous institution(s). Such students are advised to submit the completed application for admission and the application processing fee to the Office of Admissions at WSC three months prior to enrollment. Students must request an official academic transcript from each institution attended. The transcripts must be sent directly to WSC. Transcripts submitted by the student are not official and will not be used for final admission or for evaluation of transfer credit. Appropriate arrangements must be made with the Office of Admissions if this requirement is not met at the time of expected enrollment.

Students currently enrolled in another institution should have an official transcript sent to WSC. This transcript should show work attempted and completed for all terms attended up to that point. The student must also request that the institution send a final official transcript after the current term is completed.

As noted earlier, transfer students will need to sign up for Sophomore Review at the end of their first semester when registering for second semester.