BFA Portfolio Review
As a requirement of our accrediting body, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), all students who wish to earn a BFA in Spatial Art, Pictorial Art, Photography, or Digital Media Art must pass a portfolio review to graduate with the BFA Degree.
Current students are encouraged to apply once they have completed 21 units of their major preparation courses. This is usually somewhere between your Sophomore and Junior years.
Portfolio Review Links
Portfolio Reviews for Spring 2024 will open Mon, March 4th and close at 11:59pm on Mon, April 1st.
BFA Application - Photo, Pictorial, & Spatial Majors
If you have any questions, please email Bill – <bill.alley@sjsu.edu> or go to his Zoom office hours Monday to Friday 1:00-4:00 PM.
When Should I Apply?
Current matriculated students should apply for the BFA Portfolio Review as soon as you have completed between 21-24 Units of the Preparation for the Major Courses (upper box of major form).
- Students with less than 15 Units of Major requirement courses will not be considered
- Students with more than 30 Units for the Major will not be considered for the DMA BFA and should be working toward their BA in Studio Practice
If you don’t pass the review on the first try will receive a letter letting you know that you either need to:
- Reapply after meeting the requirements (you may apply a total of 2 times)
- Graduate with the BA in Studio Art
Students with more than 27 Units of Art classes that haven’t applied for the portfolio review run the risk of needing to take an extra semester to make-up the classes for the BA in Studio Art if they don't pass the portfolio review.
If a student reaches 90 cumulative units and has not applied for the BFA Portfolio Review or talked to a Major Advisor, they will be switched to the BA Studio Art major.* Students can apply the classes they have taken toward the BA in Studio Practice.
*We realize many transfer students may come in with close to 90 units. Please discuss your plans to apply for the BFA Portfolio with your Major Advisor ASAP upon entry into the program.
If you have any questions, please email Bill – <bill.alley@sjsu.edu> or go to his Zoom office hours Monday to Friday 1:00-4:00 PM.
