听

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Colorado Boulder. We are located in听one of the most dynamic metropolitan areas in the United States. The Denver and Boulder communities offer many occasions to enjoy and participate in a range of artistic endeavors and interact with the artists living in throughout the West.听

听 听

Our Mission

  • The Department of Art and Art History affirms the power of art to transform individuals and society.
  • We are committed to the practice, production, and critical and historical study of art within a liberal arts education that encourages experimentation and independence of thought.
  • Our faculty offers a rigorous curriculum that crosses disciplines and invites inquisitive, dedicated students with wide-ranging interests, encouraging creative investigation as an essential skill informed by the highest standards of critical thought.
  • Our diverse faculty, students, and staff are committed to ongoing engagement with communities locally and globally.

听

Graduate Program

听Application Deadline

January 15听鈥斕鼶omestic applicants
December 15 鈥斕�International applicants

*Applications received after this deadline and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

MFA students

As a prospective graduate student, you are required to submit an application to the听Graduate School. Be prepared to submit program-specific听supplementary materials for your concentration with your graduate application. Anyone who holds a bachelors or graduate degree from a university of recognized standing and earned the equivalent of a 3.00 (4.00 = 鈥淎鈥� scale) grade-point average of 3.00 in the last two years of work leading to the bachelor's degree is eligible to apply for admission to Graduate Education.听In addition to these听requirements, please check the听admission requirements听for your preferred program.

Ranked 23rd best program in the nation!
鈥� US News and World Report, 2024

graduate students in NYC

Applications

MA Art History

MFA Art Practices Application

Ph.D in Arts of the Americas

Dual Degree: MA/MBA or MFA/MBA

The听academic calendar听is the main resource for important dates and deadlines for all things related to course registration, add/drop, withdrawing, financial aid, Colorado Opportunity Fund,听tuition and bill due dates, and requirement documentation.听

Questions about the Art & Art History Graduate Degree Program should be directed to听art.grad@colorado.edu

CU Boulder's Graduate School

The mission of the听听is to facilitate and enhance the educational experiences of all graduate students and to guarantee a standard of quality and cohesion across all disciplines, ensuring the continuing integrity and value of a CU Boulder graduate degree. Currently overseeing more than 120 graduate programs, the Graduate School is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating graduate programs and graduate education policies and procedures.

The Graduate Information Session听provides prospective graduate students with a broad overview of CU Boulder鈥檚 graduate program offerings,听opportunities for CU Boulder graduate students听and helpful resources for graduate students across the disciplines.

students at exhibition

Undergraduate Program

BFA student

Prospective students applying to the Department of Art and Art History apply to the University of Colorado Boulder and are placed in the Bachelor of Arts degree program in either Art History or Art Practices at the time of admission. There is no portfolio required at the time of admission to CU. Some programs will require a portfolio when you declare that you will be pursuing a BFA (typically during your third year of study). Refer to the听Office of Admissions听for more information about the admissions process.

The听Office of Undergraduate Education听develops and oversees first-year seminars and first-year interest groups; coordinates undergraduate academic policy; coordinates the campus advising structure; and is responsible for the coordination and assessment of campus retention and persistence initiatives.

    Program Details

    听First-Year Application Deadlines:

    October 1 鈥� Spring Semester
    November 15 鈥� Fall & Summer early action deadline
    January 15 鈥斕鼺all & Summer regular decision deadline

    The following degree programs are available at the undergraduate level:

    Academic Calendar

    Apply Now!

    Questions? Please email us at finearts@colordo.edu

    Bachelor听of Fine Arts (BFA)

    The听BFA degree in Art Practices听is a more specialized degree in studio art.听It allows you to take a higher number of courses through the Art & Art History Department. Choose this degree if you want to create a personal portfolio, attend graduate school, want a career directly related to the arts, or are interested in pursuing a teaching career at the college level.听

    Requirements include 63 credits of ARTS & ARTH coursework, passing a BFA Portfolio review, completing lower-division required courses, taking the BFA Seminar class, and a recommended GPA of 3.0 within Art & Art History.听

    听Application deadlines:

    October 15 鈥� Fall semester
    March 15听鈥� Spring semester

    Bachelor of Fine Arts Application

    Post-Baccalaureate

    Our Post-Baccalaureate option is for artists who have finished their undergraduate degree and would like additional time and space to develop work while immersed in a dynamic community of artists. During their time at CU, post-bac students develop lasting professional relationships with their peers and faculty, relationships that often continue to influence their work as artists throughout their professional careers.听麻豆淫院 may participate in the Post-Baccalaureate option for one or two semesters.

    The post-bac option听is a non-certificate program and does not qualify for financial aid.

    听Application deadlines:

    April 15 鈥� Fall semester
    November 15 鈥� Spring semester

    Post-Bac Application
    听

    International 麻豆淫院

    International students should听visit the听International Admissions听for specific admissions requirements and documentation.

    International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is committed to supporting international students and scholars and their dependents. Take a moment to explore the ISSS听mission & vision statements, values, services, and community.

    More information on the International Student and Scholar Services (undergraduate)

    Transfer 麻豆淫院

    We are glad that you are considering transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder. Each year, top students from around the world find their place at CU Boulder. With our outstanding academic programs, excellent faculty and a diverse community of students, you will find unique and engaging opportunities on campus and in Boulder. We look forward to working with you as you continue to pursue your educational goals. Information is located within the听transfer student听menu on the admissions page.

    Transfer Student Application

    Make plans to visit in person!

    Visual Arts Complex, CU Boulder

    Visit the Department of Art & Art History

    We are centrally located within the Visual Arts Complex (VAC) on the main campus of the University of Colorado Boulder

    Address: Visual Arts Complex
    1085 18th Street, UCB 318, Boulder, Colorado 80309

    Main Office: 303.492.3580
    Email

    听 Schedule a听Tour of the Art & Art History Department Today!听

    We also invite you to request more information from the Office of Admissions about the CU Boulder community and what we have to offer.

    听 听

    CU Boulder campus

    Visit The CU Boulder Campus

    Interested in visiting Boulder and the University of Colorado campus? There are several opportunities throughout the year and the听Admissions Department听has the information you are seeking. The University of Colorado Boulder is located in sunny Boulder, Colorado鈥攍ocated 30 miles northwest of Denver. The Boulder area offers a wide array of activities ranging from hiking and biking to shopping, amazing dining, and entertainment. We hope you are able to explore the community of Boulder while you are visiting the campus.听Plan your visit today!

    View Larger Map

    Virtual CU Boulder Campus Tour
    Unable to visit our campus? Experience CU Boulder with our stunning virtual tour, led by an Admissions tour guide. The virtual tour will show you everything that we have to offer, from classrooms to outdoor recreation spaces, to residence halls.听Discover What's Here!