The short version
- The Spring 2027 schedule is posted. Every course and CRN is on the Advising page. Build your list and bring it to your advisor.
- Most students start their concentration in the fall of sophomore year. Graphic Design starts earlier, with ART 302 Introduction to Graphic Design in the spring of freshman year.
The Spring 2027 class schedule is published. Look up sections in MyJaxState, and use this page and your concentration page to build a list to bring to your advisor.
Courses usually offered in spring
These patterns come from the department’s course rotation. Always confirm in the schedule once it’s posted.
| Concentration | Spring courses |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | ART 302 Introduction to Graphic Design (take it in the spring of your freshman year), ART 343 Graphic Design II, ART 431 Advanced Graphic Design IV |
| Painting and Drawing | ART 303 Beginning Painting, ART 403 Painting II |
| Photography | ART 369 Black and White Photography |
| Printmaking | ART 461 Artists’ Books, ART 462 Printmaking: Relief |
| Ceramics | ART 309 Ceramics I and ART 409 Ceramics II have no prerequisites and can be taken in either order |
| Illustration | Check the schedule. ART 325 Introduction to Illustration, ART 327 Commercial Illustration, ART 328 Special Topics in Illustration, and ART 339 Digital Illustration all open after ART 234 Drawing II |
When to start your concentration
- Most BFA students start their concentration sequence in the fall of sophomore year.
- Graphic Design students start earlier, with ART 302 in the spring of freshman year, then ART 342 Graphic Design I that fall.
- ART 298 Portfolio Review is offered every fall. Plan to take it in the fall of sophomore year, alongside the first course in your concentration.
Planning tips
- Use the waitlist. If a required course is full, get on the waitlist. Waitlists show the department there’s demand for another section.
- Spread out your general education courses over four years. If you finish them early, you’ll end up with semesters of four or five studios, which is a lot.
- Skip the general education art courses. ART 202 Art Appreciation and ART 130 Creative Thinking are for non-majors. Art majors cover that material in ART 111 Survey of Art I and ART 112 Survey of Art II, and ART 130 Creative Thinking doesn’t count as a studio.
- Count your 400-level studios. You need ART 111 or ART 112, ART 134 Drawing I, ART 233 Design I, ART 234 Drawing II, ART 240 Design II, and a passed Portfolio Review before any 400-level studio.
- Grades matter. You need a C or better in every major and minor course.
Source: department advising guidance, Fall 2026, and the JSU Catalog 2026-2027. Back to Advising.