The college offers 26 baccalaureate programs leading to either the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Admissions priority is given to FIT’s AAS graduates, although external applicants who meet the eligibility requirements are also encouraged to apply.
FIT’s AAS graduates who apply by the recommended application submission dates are given priority consideration for admission into the same major’s baccalaureate-level program. Applicants must have met the General Education requirements and maintained the required GPA. Applicants who do not meet these criteria or who wish acceptance into another program may require an interview, or an interview and artwork evaluation.
The associate-level major pages show the recommended bachelor's programs available to students from each of FIT’s AAS programs. Associate-level students who wish to apply to a baccalaureate-level program other than those recommended should review the courses on the applicable baccalaureate-level major pages and consult with the Academic Advisement Center.
Priority application filing date is no later than January 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring.
Admission Criteria for Baccalaureate Degree Programs
Applicants seeking admission to one of FIT’s bachelor's degree programs must hold an AAS degree from FIT, or an equivalent degree, or 60 appropriate credits from a four-year bachelor's degree program. They must also meet the appropriate prerequisites as required by the major, complete requisite art or specialized courses for the major, and have completed the equivalent of FIT’s required AAS General Education requirements. Further requirements may include an interview with a departmental committee, review of academic standing, and artwork evaluation.
An earned bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited four-year institution (U.S. or international) exempts a student from General Education requirements except 3 credits in English composition ( i.e., composition taught in English); and for Art and Design majors, 6 credits of Art History. If required to take English composition (G1) or Art History, the student is expected to take the missing courses in the summer before starting the degree program.
Please note, FIT BS and BFA degrees require additional general education/liberal arts courses as part of the degree requirements that must be taken along with any required prerequisite courses to earn a BS or BFA from FIT.
The term Bachelor of Fine Arts is the designation for a professional undergraduate degree in art and design. This degree requires that 65 percent of degree credits are completed in art and design studio studies.* Students enrolled in professional undergraduate degrees in art and design are expected to develop the knowledge, skills, concepts and sensitivities essential to the professional life of the artist/designer. In any of many possible roles, the professional must exhibit not only technical competence, but also broad knowledge of art/design, the ability to integrate art/design knowledge and skills and an insight into the role of art/design in intellectual and cultural life.
* Art and Design Studio Studies:
Studies, practice, and experiences in studio subjects are of prime importance in the preparation of students for professional careers in art and design. Creative work includes, but is not limited to, conceptualization, process, product, and critique. Students must gain functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensions; color theory and its applications; and drawing.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art and design is comprised of the following categories of study delineated by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) which sets accreditation standards:
Art and design experiences in the major: 25 – 35%
Supportive courses in art and design: 20 – 30%
Art History: 10 – 15%
General Studies: 25 – 35%
Additional Admission Criteria for the Following BFA Programs:
Computer Animation and Interactive Media BFA Program
Eligible applicants to FIT’s upper division BFA program in Computer Animation and Interactive Media will have completed their first and second years of study, and will bring 60-64 transferable credits in art foundation, media studies, digital drawing and rendering, art history and general education to become successful Computer Animation and Interactive Media students.
Fabric Styling BFA Program
Eligible applicants to FIT’s upper division BFA program in Fabric Styling will have completed their first and second years of study, they must bring 60-64 transferable credits in art foundation, fashion and textile design, digital drawing and rendering, art history and general education to FIT.
Toy Design BFA Program
Eligible applicants to FIT’s upper division BFA program in Toy Design will have completed their first and second years of study, and will bring 60-64 transferable credits in art foundation, media studies, digital drawing and rendering, art history, and general education to become successful Toy Design students.
Those applicants who have not completed the requisite specialized courses for a major must complete the required “bridge” courses or an appropriate one- or two-year degree program offered by FIT before they may be considered for admission to the college’s bachelor’s degree programs.
For more information, please visit fitnyc.edu/majors .