TTU College Of Fine Arts Seeking Approval For BS Degree In Studio Arts

Tennessee Tech’s College of Fine Arts hoping to roll out a new Bachelor of Science degree in its studio arts program.

Dean Jennifer Shank said that the degree will allow a little more flexibility for those looking for a degree in arts. She said that the current degree offered is a bachelor of fine arts.

“Which is a more specialized degree where you pick one medium whether it’s glass-blowing, woodworking, painting, and you just focus on that,” Shank said. “This allows students to have more breadth in their degree and also they can take classes outside of art so if they’re interested in marketing, or business, they can marry those two.”

Shank said that marrying those two allows for more job opportunities in the field of arts. She said that the college is looking to help students who want to keep visual arts in their careers without having to be fine artists.

Shank said that the idea came about to help accommodate transfer students or high school students coming to school with lots of credits. She said that before, a BFA requires a student to come in as a first-year and take a tightly prescribed course path.

Shank said that course opportunities include those at the center for craft such as metal work, weaving, ceramics, and painting. Now that the university’s board of trustees has approved the degree, it will go to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for final approval.

Shank said that should it be approved by THEC, it will go into effect for the coming school year.