A student film crew captures a scene on a city street. The focus is on the smiling camera operator maneuvering a professional camera rig, highlighting the collaborative and practical nature of filmmaking education.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Art & Design Programs At-a-Glance

Credits Overview

120 Credits

toward BFA, BA, & BS

  • 27 credits of general education
  • 48 credits of studio requirements dedicated to the major,
  • 18 credits of studio foundation
  • 15 credits of art history/theory
  • 12 credits of free electives
     
  • Ability to take 12 graduate credits while completing bachelor’s degree that can be applied towards completion of the M.Ed. in Visual Art Education for Initial License as Teacher of Visual Art for students interested in becoming an artist as well as a licensed visual art teacher in public schools (PreK-8 or 5-12).

Start Terms

Flexible Options

to fit your preference

Programs begin in the Fall or Spring 

Full-time or part-time on-campus programs 

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Majors: Animation, Film, Game Art, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Studio Arts (with specializations in Painting, Printmaking, Photography and Ceramics/3D), UX/UI Design, Visual Effects (VFX) and Visual Narrative
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) Majors: Art
  • Bachelor of Science (BS) Majors: Design for User Experience (Online)

Comprehensive Curriculum

  • Our undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs span Studio Arts, Communication Arts, and Media Arts.
student at easel

A Path to Long-Term Career Success as a Creative Professional

Our undergraduate offerings combine best-in-class specialized art and design coursework, a rich liberal arts curriculum, and an ​​emphasis on teaching the professional and life skills required to build and advance a successful creative career. Lesley students ​​engage with clients and industry professionals early and often, graduating with the skills, connections, and confidence they need not just to create, but to excel.

A Curriculum Laser-Focused on ​​Professional Practice

Working inside our world-class studios and labs, and alongside Lesley’s accomplished faculty practitioners, our art and design students dive deep into shaping and refining skills in their chosen disciplines. But as a Lesley student, you’ll also tap into Lesley’s rich general education curriculum, bringing you the exposure and diverse ideas that come from exposure to a broad range of courses and perspectives.   

​​​BFA students complement their discipline-specific studies with courses specifically focused on the business of thriving as an art or design professional. Classes like The Business of Animation, The Working Illustrator, Fabrication for Exhibition, and Game Portfolio provide you with practical knowledge in areas ranging from business plan and project estimates to developing a personal brand and navigating financial sustainability. You’ll also interact with working professionals who come to campus to provide expertise on a range of real-world issues.  

Making it Real

​​​At Lesley, we make learning real by creating opportunities for our students to interact with organizations that depend on creative professionals through every stage of their education. Community studio courses empower students to work on creative projects for non-profits in and around Boston, while our ​​Scholar Partner Program provides guaranteed internships upon acceptance that help students integrate skills and prepare for life after graduation.  

With You for Life

And at Lesley, we support our alumni community and other working artists and designers with a range of tools and supports, including continuing education, alumni networking, career assistance, and access to our world-class studios and facilities. ​​Learn more about all the ways we support artists and designers through every stage of their careers and their lives.  

​​​Explore our undergraduate Art & Design programs:

Take the next step

Ready to begin your journey with Lesley? ​Share some basic information by filling out one of the forms below so that we can reach out to you with more information about our programs. Or, email admissions@lesley.edu to connect with a member of our admissions team.

Undergraduate Inquiry Form  |  Graduate Inquiry Form  |  Threshold Inquiry Form