visual studies

The Visual Studies minor is designed to provide non-BFA students with an intensive studio art concentration, including exposure to the professional environment and standards that define the major programs at The Art Institute of Boston (AIB) at Lesley University. Students apply for permission to pursue the minor. Once admitted to the program, students may concentrate in a defined area, such as illustration, design, photography (using pre-defined course sequences), or they can explore other paths by choosing any courses at AIB for which they have the proper prerequisites. The Visual Studies minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits.

Program Requirements

Admission- Students who wish to minor in Visual Studies must submit an application indicating that they have met ONE of the following requirements:

• Show a grade of "B" or better in an introductory level AIB course (not IARTS). These are typically foundation level classes or courses that departments have deemed appropriate to take without foundation prerequisites. This course will then count for one of the required studio credits in the minor.
• Submit a portfolio of artwork (6-10 pieces) for approval. This portfolio may be any combination of independent work, high school course work, or Lesley College course work or IARTS course work. A Lesley College or IARTS course will not count as one of the required studio credits in the minor. If the portfolio submitted does not meet the admissions requirement for the minor, it will be suggested that the student try a specific AIB basic course to try to meet the first requirement, above. That course should match their area of interest (for example: Visual Thinking for a student interested in design; Drawing for a student interested in illustration or fine arts; etc.)

Course Selection- Students select a minimum of 18 credits of AIB courses, of which a minimum of 12 credits must be studio courses offered by the major departments at AIB (the remaining credits may be either AIB studio courses or Art History courses). A list of recommended course sequences in each minor will be provided.