Roski School of Art and Design
General Information
Degrees Offered
At the undergraduate level, the school offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts. The Bachelor of Arts in Art is offered in conjunction with the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The Roski School of Art and Design also offers eight minor programs in studio arts and design and participates in a 3-D animation minor in conjunction with the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Information Technology Program, a communication design minor in conjunction with the Marshall School of Business and the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and a 2-D art for games minor and 3-D art for games minor with the Viterbi School of Engineering and the School of Cinematic Arts.
Degrees offered at the graduate level are: Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts, Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere. A dual degree is also available: Master of Arts, Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere/Master of Planning.
Minimum Grade Point Average Requirements
A minimum grade of C (2.0) or higher is required in all studio and art history courses for all undergraduate majors and minors in the Roski School of Art and Design. A grade of C- or lower will not satisfy a major or minor requirement. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained by all candidates for the Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to the Roski School of Art and Design at the undergraduate level is granted through the USC Office of Admission. Freshman applicants applying by December 1 for the fall semester will receive priority consideration for admission to the university. The deadline for transfer applicants for the fall semester is February 1.
Undergraduate applicants must upload a portfolio of images and an artist statement at the school’s Website. Specific requirements and additional information are available at roski.usc.edu/undergrad or email finearts@usc.edu.
Students who have not been admitted to the Roski School of Art and Design may complete a maximum of 20 units of fine arts course work at USC. No further course work may be taken until admitted. Students who are interested in becoming fine arts majors or minors should meet with the Roski School’s advisers as soon as possible, preferably during their first semester taking art classes. Advisers can be contacted through the school’s Advisement Office, Watt Hall 116, (213) 821-1290, for assistance.
Graduate Admission
Applications for admission to the graduate programs are evaluated by the USC Office of Graduate Admission before being forwarded to the school. Students must be admitted by both the USC Graduate School and the Roski School of Art and Design. The Graduate School’s general admission requirements include official transcripts of all previous college and university work, and three letters of recommendation from instructors or persons able to comment on the applicant’s creative work and/or scholarly potential.
Applicants to the MFA degree must upload a portfolio of images and an artist statement at the school’s Website. Specific requirements and additional information are available at roski.usc.edu/mfa.
Applicants to the M.A. degree are encouraged to review program requirements at roski.usc.edu/ma.
Advisement
Academic advisement is provided to fine arts majors, minors and graduate students through the Advisement Office in Watt Hall 116, (213) 821-1290. All students who are interested in taking art courses are welcomed and encouraged to make an appointment for advisement as well. The staff advisers provide information regarding academic life at the university, program requirements, policies and procedures to assist students with their degree completion. Majors are required to meet with advisers before registering each semester. Appointments may be scheduled at most times during the academic year.
International Study Options
Fine arts majors may take advantage of art courses offered through study abroad programs in Canberra, Australia; Cape Town, South Africa; and Florence or Cortona, Italy. These options are described on the International Study Options page.
Please contact the USC Overseas Studies Office in CAS 104, (213) 740-3636, or usc.edu/schools/college/overseas for complete information, program requirements and applications.