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Drawing: Studio Art, B.F.A.

College of Arts and Sciences

Picture a career as a professional visual artist as you develop your creative vision and technical skills in a supportive learning environment.

As a B.F.A. student, you will have access to a dedicated group studio and draw inspiration from a community of dedicated artists. The drawing track is perfect if you wish to study fine or commercial arts.

Program Highlights

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    Accomplished Faculty

    Be mentored by faculty members who are accomplished artists themselves, and receive a comprehensive education in techniques.

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    Emphasis on Creativity

    Explore your unique artistic vision and develop your own style through intensive coursework and studio sessions.

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    Pre-professional Training

    Receive real-life professional training by developing and exhibiting a portfolio of original artwork.

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    Diverse Student Body

    Learn from and collaborate with students from different backgrounds and cultures, and broaden your artistic horizons.

What You’ll Study

Our intermediate, advanced and capstone drawing courses allow students to develop their unique creative vision and portfolios while working across numerous drawing techniques and styles. You will also have access to a growing arts community that includes the Columbia Museum of Art, the 701 Center for Contemporary Art and neighborhood initiatives.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Artistic Skill

    Demonstrating proficiency and talent in creating, expressing and interpreting visual or performing arts

    Attention to Detail

    Being meticulous and thorough in all aspects of a task or project

    Flexibility

    Adapting to changing circumstances and being open to new ideas and approaches

  • Creativity

    Thinking imaginatively, generating original ideas and expressing unique perspectives through art and innovation

    Collaboration

    Working with others to achieve a common goal or objective

    Critical Thinking

    Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

  • Artist
  • Art Director
  • Illustrator
  • Animator
  • Museum or Gallery Professional
  • Art Consultant

Job Titles of Alumni

  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
  • Fine Artist
  • Principal Creative
  • Shop Manager / Tattoo Apprentice
  • Teacher

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $66,398

Workplace Settings

  • Art Studios
  • Creative Industries
  • Design Studios
  • Animation Studios

Employers of Alumni

  • Google
  • Nike
  • Richland Library
  • Hubbell Incorporated
  • University of South Carolina
  • Gupta Media

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

I was able to not only grow in my craft but extend my definitions of drawing in ways that allowed me to personalize and refine my artistic practice. By being introduced to internships and resources in the broader Columbia community, I now have a strong professional network of people I can rely on.

Stephanie Allen
Portrait of Stephanie Allen

Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
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