Requirements and restrictions College of Fine Arts
In addition to submitting a complete application for admission, freshman applicants to the College of Fine Arts should also review the following information regarding each department’s special application requirements and admission restrictions.
Department of Art and Art History
When applying for freshman admission to majors in the Department of Art and Art History (art history, design, studio art, and visual art studies/teacher certification), you should consider the following special requirements.
Special requirements for the Department of Art & Art History
Fall-only admission
Newly admitted students to this department must begin their studies in the fall semester.
First-choice major
To be considered for admission to one of the majors in this department, you must indicate a major in this department as your first choice.
Art essay
In addition to a response to Topic B, applicants to an art major must submit an essay in response to Topic D as part of their complete application. Essay D may replace Essay A in meeting the two-essay requirement. (Art applicants who apply for scholarships, however, must submit Essay A as part of their scholarship application.)
Art portfolio (required beginning in fall 2009)
Freshman applicants to Design, Studio Art, and Visual Art Studies must submit an art portfolio as part of the admissions application process. The portfolio must be received in the Department’s Undergraduate Office by the admissions application deadline.
Please do not send any art portfolio materials to the Office of Admissions. Visit the department’s web site for details about creating your art portfolio, including information about suggested content and the process for submitting your portfolio.
Departmental approval
To be admitted to a major in this department, you must obtain the approval of the departmental Admission Committee.
Annual appraisals for design majors
Students admitted to the design major must pass annual performance reviews to continue in the major.
For more information, contact the undergraduate studies office of the Department of Art & Art History at 512-475-7718.
Sarah & Ernest Butler School of Music
To major in music, a student must be accepted for admission to the university and pass an audition conducted by the Butler School of Music. Students who fail the audition may not enter as music majors even though they may be admitted to the University. The deadline for submitting the Butler School of Music application and requesting an audition date is January 1, 2011. For details, visit the Butler School of Music web site.
For additional information, contact the undergraduate studies office at 512-471-0504.
First-choice major selection
The Butler School of Music gives preference to applicants who select music as their first-choice major. So, to be seriously considered for admission to the Butler School of Music and performance scholarships, you should select Music as your first choice.
Department of Theatre & Dance
When applying for freshman admission to majors in the Department of Theatre & Dance, you should consider the following special requirements:
Special requirements for the Department of Theatre & Dance
BFA Dance Audition
Applicants to BFA Dance are required to audition. Visit Theatre and Dance to request an audtition. Auditions are offered in November.
BFA in Theatre Studies Interview
Applicants to BFA Theatre Studies are required to take part in an interview. Interviews can be conducted on campus, over the phone, or via the Internet. After applying for admission, applicants should schedule an interview.
The BFA in Theatre Studies leads to K-12 teacher certification, so applicants must have a sincere desire to teach theatre to qualify for admission. Applicants wishing to study theatre who do not plan to seek teacher certification should apply to the BA in Theatre.
Fall-only admission
Newly admitted students to this department must begin their studies during the fall semester.
Committee approval
Admission to programs in the Department of Theatre & Dance requires the approval of the Theatre & Dance Admissions Committee.
For additional information about requirements, call the department’s undergraduate studies office at 512-471-5793 or 512-232-5308.
Learn More about Fine Arts
Still not certain about your major choice? Learn more about the College of Fine Arts.