Mar 19, 2026  
[DRAFT] Course Catalog 2026-2027 
    
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[DRAFT] Course Catalog 2026-2027 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Studio Art Major

The major consists of a minimum of 12 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.

arrow View the catalog page for the studio art department.  

Summary of Requirements

Note(s) on Requirements

  • The required advanced course and senior capstone sequence must be taken at Oberlin.
  • The senior capstone sequence must be taken in consecutive fall/spring semesters during a single academic year.
  • In lieu of transferring up to two courses from an external institution, up to two non-ARST, non-ARTH courses with clear relevance to the studio art major could apply to the introductory, intermediate, elective, and/or art history course requirements, with the approval of the department chair.
  • Students should be aware that some of the courses listed below are half-courses (2-credit) that by themselves will not fulfill a full-course (4-credit) requirement.
  • A maximum of one private reading can count toward the major requirements in extraordinary circumstances, at the discretion of the department chair. Private readings in studio art may not overlap with other courses currently being offered and are subject to a term bill charge to cover space and materials used on a case-by-case basis.

Transfer of Credit Toward the Major

The studio art department will accept up to the equivalent of two full courses of transfer credit to count toward the studio art major requirements. Two types of approval are needed. (1) Approval from the Office of the Registrar that the transfer course meets Oberlin’s transfer-of-credit eligibility standards and (2) approval from the department/program chair that the course(s) may count to the major. Current students taking post-matriculation credit must secure this approval before registering for course(s). Students who enter Oberlin as transfer students will have their pre-matriculation credit evaluated by the Office of the Registrar for elective credit, and they can later seek approval from the department/program for applying coursework to major requirements.

In lieu of transferring up to two courses from an external institution, up to two non-ARST, non-ARTH courses with clear relevance to the studio art major could apply to the introductory, intermediate, elective, and/or art history course requirements, with the approval of the department chair.

The department is not obliged to give credit for work that fails to fit the general patterns of the Oberlin curriculum or that fails to come up to Oberlin’s standards, no matter how valuable a student feels the experience has been, or how much time and effort has been expended.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

The studio art department does not count AP/IB credits toward major requirements. The department’s curricular pathway must be consistent across students to prepare majors for a cohesive capstone experience.

Transfer Students

For students transferring into Oberlin from another institution, a third course may be considered for transfer if a student has previously completed at least two years of course work at another institution.

Course of Study

The studio art department’s major study is deeply integrated within Oberlin’s liberal arts education, while still offering the rigor of a pre-professional studio art program. In planning their programs of study, students should be aware that they must complete one advanced course by the end of their junior year (preferably during the junior year), and are required to enroll in the yearlong capstone sequence of classes during the consecutive fall/spring semesters of their senior year.

Honors in Studio Art

Honors in Studio Art is not being offered at this time.

Detailed Major Requirements

Studio Art Major Course Lists

Introductory Courses

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Students must take one 2D introductory course, one 3D introductory course, and one 4D introductory course.

2D Introductory Courses

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3D Introductory Courses

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4D Introductory Courses

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Intermediate Courses

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Advanced Courses

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Note: The required advanced course must be taken at Oberlin.

Art History Courses

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Students must take one modern / contemporary art history course and one traditional art history course.

Modern / Contemporary Art History Courses

Return to the top of the list of art history courses.

Traditional Art History Courses

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Studio Art Elective Courses

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Students must take one additional full course from any of the Introductory or Intermediate course lists, or from those listed below.

Senior Capstone Sequence

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The Senior Capstone is a yearlong sequence that consists of four classes that senior majors take over consecutive fall/spring semesters in a single academic year.

Note: The required senior capstone sequence must be taken at Oberlin.

Fall of Senior Year (6 credits)

Spring of Senior Year (6 credits)