Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Mason Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology 1 | 3 | |
| ENGH 101 | Composition (Mason Core) 2 | 3 |
| ENGH 302 | Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 2 | 3 |
| Core Requirements | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| Arts 3 | 3 | |
| Natural Science 4 | 7 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Global Contexts 5 | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
- 1
Studio Arts concentration students must take either AVT 180 or AVT 110 for this requirement. All Graphic Design concentration students must take AVT 110 for this requirement.
- 2
Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 for ENGH 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 or ENGH 101, as well as in ENGH 302, to fulfill degree requirements.
- 3
AVT majors may not choose AVT courses to meet this requirement, and they may not double-count ARTH courses toward both the AVT major and the Mason Core arts requirement.
- 4
Including at least one laboratory science.
- 5
AVT majors may not double-count ARTH courses toward both AVT major requirements and the Mason Core global contexts requirement.
AVT Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Foundation | ||
| AVT 104 | Two-Dimensional Design and Color (Mason Core) | 3 |
| AVT 105 | Three-Dimensional Design and Beyond (Mason Core) | 3 |
| AVT 110 | Digital Design Studio (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| or AVT 180 | New Media in the Creative Arts (Mason Core) | |
| AVT 222 | Drawing I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Foundation Electives | ||
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Typography (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Web Design | ||
| Painting I (Mason Core) | ||
| Printmaking I (Mason Core) | ||
| Darkroom Photography I (Mason Core) | ||
| Digital Photography I (Mason Core) | ||
| Sculpture I (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to New Media Arts | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Art History | ||
| ARTH 374 | Art Now | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| History of Graphic Design 2 | ||
or AVT 410 | Experiential Design History | |
| Any ARTH 200-400 level course | ||
| Critical Analysis & Contemporary Practice | ||
| AVT 307 | Aesthetics | 3 |
| AVT 395 | Writing for Artists (Mason Core) 3 | 3 |
| or AVT 396 | Writing for Designers (Mason Core) | |
| AVT 472 | Critical Theory in the Visual Arts 4 | 3 |
| or AVT 408 | Visual Communication Theories | |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Visual Thinking | ||
| Creative Processes | ||
| Art as Social Action | ||
| Entrepreneurship in the Arts | ||
| Visual Perception and the Arts | ||
| Hip Hop Culture | ||
| Sound Art I | ||
| Thinking Through Animation | ||
| Advanced Aesthetics | ||
| Visual Communication Theories | ||
| Introduction to Art Teaching and Learning | ||
| Studio Core & Research Practicum | ||
| AVT 101 | New Majors Colloquium | 3 |
| AVT 202 | Sophomore Core | 3 |
| AVT 303 | Junior Core | 3 |
| AVT 404 | Senior ProSeminar | 2 |
| Professional Practices | ||
| AVT 413 | Professional Design Practices 5 | 3 |
| or AVT 453 | Professional Practices (Mason Core) | |
| Synthesis | ||
| AVT 497 | Senior Project (Mason Core) 6 | 3 |
| or AVT 498 | Senior Design Project (Mason Core) | |
| Total Credits | 56 | |
- 1
Graphic Design concentration students must take AVT 110.
- 2
Graphic Design concentration students must take either AVT 318 or AVT 410 to fulfill this requirement.
- 3
Graphic Design concentration students must take AVT 396 to fulfill this requirement.
- 4
Studio Arts concentration students must take AVT 472 for this requirement. Graphic Design concentration students must take AVT 408 for this requirement.
- 5
Graphic Design concentration students must complete AVT 413.
- 6
Graphic Design concentration students must take AVT 498 to fulfill the Mason Apex requirement.
Concentrations
Select one concentration and complete the requirements therein:
Graphic Design (GD)
All AVT BFA majors concentrating in graphic design must complete AVT 215 Typography (Mason Core), AVT 217 Introduction to Web Design and AVT 252 Darkroom Photography I (Mason Core) or AVT 253 Digital Photography I (Mason Core) under Foundation Electives (above).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AVT 311 | Graphic Design Methods and Principles | 3 |
| AVT 313 | Publication Design | 3 |
| AVT 414 | Brand Identity Design | 3 |
| Select 15 credits from the following: 1 | 15 | |
| Mobile App Design | ||
| Illustration | ||
| Comics | ||
| Book Arts: Books Enclosures | ||
| Digital Printmaking | ||
| Photobook: Concepts Form | ||
| User Experience Design | ||
| Motion Design | ||
| Advanced Typography | ||
| Web Design and Usability | ||
| Advertising Design | ||
| Package Design | ||
| Topics in Graphic Design | ||
| Advanced Web Design | ||
| Introduction to Design Thinking | ||
Or other courses as approved by graphic design director. | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
- 1
AVT 393, AVT 489, AVT 491, and AVT 496 may be taken with permission of the graphic design director.
Studio Arts (SA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 300-400 level AVT studio courses | 24 | |
Or other courses as approved by director. | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
General Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from General Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art & Visual Technology Sample Plan of Study
The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
Graphic Design Concentration
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 101 | 3 | AVT 105 | 3 |
| AVT 104 | 3 | AVT 215 | 3 |
| AVT 110 | 3 | AVT 253 | 3 |
| AVT 222 | 3 | Mason Core Literature | 3 |
| ENGH 101 | 3 | Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 202 | 3 | AVT 313 | 3 |
| AVT 217 | 3 | AVT 307 | 3 |
| AVT 311 | 3 | ENGH 302 | 3 |
| AVT 318 or 410 | 3 | Mason Core Natural Science with Lab | 4 |
| Mason Core Natural Science Non-Lab | 3 | AVT GD 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 303 | 3 | AVT 414 | 3 |
| AVT 396 | 3 | Mason Core Oral Communication | 3 |
| ARTH 374 | 3 | AVT GD 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 |
| AVT GD 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 | Critical Analysis Course | 3 |
| AVT GD 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 404 | 2 | AVT 413 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | AVT 498 | 3 |
| Mason Core Social & Behavioral Science | 3 | AVT 370 or 408 | 3 |
| AVT GD 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 | Mason Core Global Understanding | 3 |
| Mason Core Global History | 3 | Mason Core Arts | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-student-resources.
Studio Art Concentration
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 101 | 3 | AVT 105 | 3 |
| AVT 222 | 3 | Mason Core Literature | 3 |
| AVT 104 | 3 | Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| AVT 110 or 180 | 3 | Foundation Elective | 3 |
| ENGH 101 | 3 | Foundation Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 202 | 3 | AVT 307 | 3 |
| AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 | ENGH 302 | 3 |
| ARTH 2xx / 3xx / 4xx | 3 | Mason Core Natural Science with Lab | 4 |
| Foundation Elective | 3 | AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 |
| Mason Core Natural Science Non-Lab | 3 | AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 303 | 3 | Mason Core Oral Communication | 3 |
| AVT 395 | 3 | AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 |
| ARTH 374 | 3 | AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 |
| AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 | AVT 305/ 309/ 370/ 371/ 372/ 374/ 380/ 407/ 408/ 595 | 3 |
| AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| AVT 404 | 2 | AVT 453 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | AVT 497 | 3 |
| Mason Core Social & Behavioral Science | 3 | AVT 472 | 3 |
| AVT 3xx/4xx Studio | 3 | Mason Core Global Understanding | 3 |
| Global History | 3 | Mason Core Arts | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-student-resources.
Art and Visual Technology, BFA/Art Education, Accelerated MAT
Overview
Academically strong undergraduates in Art may apply to the accelerated Master’s Degree in Art Education. If accepted, students will be able to earn an Art and Visual Technology, BFA and an Art Education, MAT after satisfactory completion of 150 credits.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admissions Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog.
Students are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits. After successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits, students must use at least 3 and no more than 12 credits of advanced standing courses (see below) to both complete the bachelor’s degree and begin the masters. An additional six credits may be held in reserve for the master’s degree, but cannot be used to complete the bachelors.
Important information on how to apply for this accelerated master's program can be found in the University’s Accelerated Master’s Application Guide.
Teacher Endorsement
Students for the MAT (for BFA students) must complete ALL endorsements, as well as the Praxis Core Exam. Students must meet Virginia Department of Education's required semester credit hours in the following specific areas:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 12 hours of two-dimensional media | 12 | |
| 12 hours of three-dimensional media | 12 | |
| 9 hours of cultural context and art history, judgment and criticism, aesthetics | 9 | |
| 3 hours of related areas of fine arts | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Students should work closely with their advisor to ensure they complete these course requirements through the BFA in Art and Visual Technology and MAT degrees.
Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements
Undergraduate students admitted to the accelerated master’s program pathway will be fully admitted into the MAT program if they meet the following requirements, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
- Completion of specific undergraduate BFA coursework
- Successfully meet Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and complete the application for graduation
- Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
- Submission of BAM Transition Form to the School of Art advisor at the beginning of student’s final undergraduate semester . Full details can be found at AP.6.7.3.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students in the Accelerated Pathway must choose from the following Advanced Standing courses which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit. A minimum grade of B is required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each) | ||
| AVT 595 | Introduction to Art Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| AVT 605 | Issues and Research in Art Education | 3 |
| AVT 667 | Two-Dimensional Art Making and Differentiated Instruction | 3 |
| AVT 668 | Three-Dimensional Art Making Across Cultures | 3 |
Reserve Graduate Credit
Students may take up to 6 additional graduate credits as reserve graduate credit. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree. The ability to take courses for reserve graduate credit is available to all high-achieving undergraduates with permission of the School of Art. Permission to take a graduate course for reserve graduate credit is normally granted only to Mason seniors within 15 credit hours of graduation and must be approved by the Dean's Office.
To apply these credits to the master's degree, students must request that the credits be moved from the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree using the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDRD 501 | Literacy in Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education | 3 |
| EDUC 511 | Child and Adolescent Development in Global Contexts | 3 |
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Art and Visual Technology, BFA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA
Overview
Academically strong undergraduates in Art may apply to the accelerated Master’s Degree in Arts Management. If accepted, students will be able to earn an Art and Visual Technology, BFA and an Arts Management, MA after satisfactory completion of 150 credits.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog.
Students are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits. After successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits, students must use at least 3 and no more than 12 credits of advanced standing courses (see below) to both complete the bachelor’s degree and begin the masters. An additional six credits may be held in reserve for the master’s degree, but cannot be used to complete the bachelors.
Important information on how to apply for this accelerated master's program can be found in the University’s Accelerated Master’s Application Guide.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students admitted to the accelerated master’s program pathway will be fully admitted into the MA program if they meet the following requirements, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
- Completion of specific undergraduate coursework
- Successfully meet Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and complete the application for graduation
- Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
- Submission of BAM Transition Form to the School of Art advisor at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester . Full details can be found at AP.6.7.3
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students in the Accelerated Pathway must choose from the following Advanced Standing courses, which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit courses. Reserve Graduate credit course options cannot be taken as Advanced Standing. A minimum grade of B is required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each) | ||
| AMGT 601 | Fund Raising/Development I | 3 |
| AMGT 602 | Seminar in Arts Management | 3 |
| AMGT 604 | Public Relations and Marketing Strategies for the Arts I | 3 |
| AMGT 605 | Finance and Budgeting for Arts I | 3 |
| Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program | ||
| AMGT 603 | The Arts in Society 1 | 3 |
| AMGT 606 | Governance and Financial Management 2 | 3 |
- 1
Prerequisite: AMGT 602 Seminar in Arts Management
- 2
Prerequisite: AMGT 605 Finance and Budgeting for Arts I
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.