Admissions

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All Studio Art and Graphic Design courses are open to Art (BA or BFA) or Graphic Design (BFA) majors only. The department requires an Entrance Portfolio and accepts new students into the Art and Graphic Design majors for Fall semesters only. Not sure which major you should apply to? Check out some work from upper-level students in the Art Major (with concentrations in 3D Interdisciplinary Studies, Digital Media, Illustration, Painting, Photography, Print Media, and Art Ed) and Graphic Design Major. 

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To become an Art or Graphic Design major, incoming First Year and Transfer students must:

1. Be admitted to UNC Charlotte
2. Submit an Entrance Portfolio Application (digital portfolio of work using the Entrance Portfolio Guidelines for intended major linked below) by the posted yearly deadline. You will be sent a link to submit your portfolio in SlideRoom once you have been admitted to UNC Charlotte.
3. Be accepted into the Art or Graphic Design major pending a review of your Entrance Portfolio Application.

Current UNC Charlotte students who wish to change their major to Art or Graphic Design must:

1. Submit an Entrance Portfolio Application (digital portfolio of work using the Entrance Portfolio Guidelines for your intended major linked below) via SlideRoom by the posted yearly deadline. Please request the SlideRoom submission link by filling out this Google Form. (Please note, the Slideroom links are disabled in May and will be reactivated in September.)
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 if currently enrolled at UNC Charlotte 
3. Be accepted into the Art or Graphic Design major pending a review of your Entrance Portfolio Application.

Please also read FAQs regarding the Change of Major process for Current UNC Charlotte Students.

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Entrance Portfolio Deadline: Wednesday, February 19, 2025

In order to make this deadline, incoming First-Year and Transfer students need to apply to the University by November 1, 2024, but no later than January 15, 2025. For more detailed information on department admissions, please see the Entrance Portfolio Application Guidelines below. In addition, these PDFs contain a helpful Admissions Checklist, Departmental Admission Policies, and FAQ’s regarding the portfolio and process. 

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BFA in Art with an Art Education Concentration

Students pursuing the BFA in Art with a concentration in Art Education must begin in the BA in Art program—students cannot initially apply to the BFA in Art with an Art Education Concentration. For instructions on applying to the BA in Art, please see above.  Students should contact  Arts Education Specialist Courtney Mervine for complete admission requirements for the Art Education concentration.

BA in Art History

New First Year and Transfer students should indicate interest in the Art History major on the application to the university. After acceptance to the university, students will be considered Art History majors and will need to register and attend a New Student Orientation date for advising and registration.

Current UNC Charlotte Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be accepted into the Art History major. Interested students should make an appointment with the Academic Advisor, Megan Garner, and upon confirmation of student’s cumulative GPA, a change of major form will be completed.

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Visit the department of art & art history

The Department of Art & Art History invites prospective students to discover more about our programs and facilities by attending an Open House or In-Person Tour date. Learn more about each visit option, below!

ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE

Our Spring 2025 in-person Open House coincides with both campus-wide Open Houses held by Undergraduate Admissions and one held by the College of Arts + Architecture, providing prospective applicants with a broad exposure to both campus life and specific academic programs:

• Saturday, March 22, 2025; 9:30 am – 12:00 pm.
• Register with the University here: Undergraduate Admissions Open House

The College of Arts + Architecture will welcome prospective students and offer an academic overview of the College at 9:30 am in Rowe Room 130.

Afterward, the Department of Art & Art History will provide a more detailed overview of its programs, offer Q & As with faculty, students, student groups, and provide tours of the facilities. 

SCHEDULE AN INDIVIDUAL TOUR

In-person tours of the Department of Art & Art History provide prospective students with opportunities to see our facilities and galleries. Please note that all facilities may not be accessible due to class meetings. Tours will be student-led and will last approximately 1 hour. 

Vistors must pre-register for a specific tour date at least 24 hours in advance of the tour date.

Tour Considerations:

• Student tour guides may have a scheduled class directly before or after their tour time; please respect their time and responsibilities.
• Faculty and staff will not be available before/after these tours to answer specific questions, which are better asked at our Open Houses or by emailing us at aahadmissions@charlotte.edu.
• Other than the scheduled opportunities offered and Open House dates, the Department of Art & Art History cannot accommodate requests for individual tours or appointments with faculty, staff, or students.
• Register for a specific tour date using this form.

register for a tour!

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Further questions regarding the admissions processes may be directed to: aahadmissions@charlotte.edu