The School of Art

1. The School of Art George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia Online information session for prospective freshmen and transfer students created February 2009. Updated October 2011.

2. Welcome! • Thank you for your interest in the undergraduate programs in the School of Art at George Mason University. We’re glad to know you are thinking of joining us! • This online information session will give you all of the information you need to know as a prospective AVT freshman or transfer student. Should you still have questions after viewing this presentation, we encourage you to call the main SoA office at 703-993-8898. • If you have any questions about admission into the university, please contact the Office of Admissions at 703-993-2400

3. The Basics…

4. The Department of Art and Visual Technology is located within the College of Visual and Performing Arts and offers undergraduate degrees in art with concentrations in: Painting Drawing Sculpture Printmaking Critical Art Practices Graphic Design Photography New Media Art Students interested in becoming an art teacher may also focus on pre-art education courses in addition to their concentration courses Our undergraduate BA and BFA degree programs prepare students for graduate study and professional work in the visual cultural field. To learn more about our concentrations, visit: AVT Concentrations Department of AVT: Who are we?

5. Bachelor of Art (BA) • The BA degree in AVT is a 120-credit liberal arts degree focused on art and design in the context of a broad program of general studies. • About 1/2 of degree coursework is in general studies • Requires study of a foreign language through the intermediate level or completion of a minor • 63 credits of AVT major courses, 37 of credits general education courses, 20 of credits foreign language/minor/elective courses

6. Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) • The BFA in AVT is a 120-credit professional degree focused on intensive work in the visual arts and is supported by a program of general studies • About 2/3 of degree coursework is in art and design • Study of a foreign language or completion of a minor NOT required • 81 credits of AVT major courses, 37 credits of general education courses, 2-3 credits of general electives

7. Which Degree is Better? The Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) believes that neither degree, BA or BFA, is inherently “better” than the other. The judgment of which degree is best for a particular student depends almost entirely on the student’s educational goals. However, AICAD does believe that the BFA is the most appropriate degree for serious, motivated students seeking to become professional artists and designers. Source: http://www.aicad.org/

8. Not sure which degree program is right for you? That’s okay! You don’t have to decide by the time you submit your application. You can always switch from one concentration to another once you’ve become a Mason student and you will have plenty of help in figuring out which program is right for you.

9. How to become an AVT student…

10. Admission into the AVT program • You will be required to submit an application to the University and successfully complete a portfolio review for acceptance into the School of Art. • Transfer Students must present a portfolio on a designated portfolio review day as a part of your application for admission to the university. • Freshmen Students have the option presenting their portfolio review following their acceptance into the university. • Instructions on how to present a portfolio are found on the School of Art website under Student Resources.

11. Don’t have a portfolio? Don’t worry! Freshmen students with little or no background in art and design may opt to participate in a portfolio review after taking the AVT fundamentals sequence of: AVT 104 Studio Fundamentals I, AVT 105 Studio Fundamentals II, and AVT 222 Drawing I. Students must earn at least a 3.25 gpa in these classes and pass the portfolio review for admission into the AVT major. Students who transfer in the equivalents of AVT 104, 105, and 222 must present a portfolio at the time of admission to the university.

12. Important info for transfer students Transfer students make up the majority of the population in the AVT undergraduate programs. The department does everything they can to assist students in their transition to Mason. Once a transfer student has been accepted and has filed their intent to be a Mason student, they will be invited for a pre-orientation advising session. During this session the student will meet with an academic advisor to go over transcripts, fix any issues with transfer credits, and plan a schedule for the upcoming semester. The Admissions office determines which courses transfer to Mason, but students may get a sense of what will transfer by using the Transfer Credit Search Engine Academic advisors cannot review a student’s transcript until the Admission office has done their evaluation.

13. Resources for transfer students • In addition to the Transfer Credit Search Engine, there are several other resources to assist students interested in transferring to Mason. They include: • VCCS to Mason Transfer Guide • NVCC/Mason Articulation Agreement • Transfer Admissions • Transfer Center

14. Important info for freshmen students Freshman students are invited for a pre-orientation advising session once they have been admitted into the university and have filed their intent to enroll. At the session the student will meet with an academic advisor to go over any AP or IB scores, plan a course schedule, and address any issues or concerns the student may have. Students may view all the options for academic credit by exam here: Academic Credit by Exam

15. Resources for freshmen students • Freshman admissions • The Freshman Center

16. Why you should choose AVT…

17. Some of the perks to being an AVT student • Brand new, state-of-the-art Fine Arts building • Opportunities to travel to NYC museums and galleries every semester • Guest lecturer series with professional artists and designers • Student organizations • Close proximity to DC • Supportive faculty and staff • Academic advising for all concentrations, including pre-art education • Career counseling • Opportunity to earn academic credit for internships • Opportunity to present a senior exhibition

18. Life after AVT…

19. What are recent graduates doing? Some recent alumni have gone on to graduate school or work in galleries and museums, illustration, animation, TV production, broadcasting, photography, graphic design, and art sales. The skills that individuals possess coupled with the experience they acquire while pursuing the degree play a large role in the type of position held after graduation. AVT graduates have also gone on to continue their education in a wide range of graduate schools, pursuing the MA, MFA, or MAT degree in such areas as art therapy, art education, fine arts, graphic design, digital arts, and photography.

20. Resources • Office of Admissions • The Transfer Center • School of Art • Academics • Student Resources • Student Advising (program planning sheets, BA/BFA comparison, sample schedule, other helpful resources)

21. Thank you for viewing our presentation. We hope to see you at Mason soon!