Undergraduate Application
Submission of an application and a portfolio are required for admission to enroll in courses leading to the BA in Art, and BFAs in Animation, Graphic Design, Studio Art, or Photography.
Students should apply and be accepted to SHSU before submitting an application to the Department of Art.
Priority Deadline for Fall 2024: January 15, 2024.
Late Deadline: Applications may be submitted after this date, but acceptance is contingent on availability of seats. Once classes are filled, accepted students will be placed on a waiting list and will be advised to take required core classes for that semester.
Portfolio
Submission of a portfolio allows the art faculty to determine a student's present development and assists in placement within the course sequencing. The submission of a portfolio for review is required for admission to all programs in the Department of Art.
The portfolio should consist of high-quality images of 8 to 10 pieces of artwork. Applicants should choose works that best reflect their highest level of conceptual and technical development. The media of the work represented could include drawing, digital media, animation, video, painting, photography, print media, ceramic, sculpture, or installation. While there is no requirement that any particular subject or style of work be included in the portfolio, the art faculty would like to see a selection of work that has been made both independently and in school, and that reflects the applicant's creative interests. Examples of drawing from observation demonstrate abilities more clearly than examples of "fan art" or drawings copied from photographs. The portfolio should demonstrate that the student can succeed in an undergraduate art program. We are looking for drawing skills, ability to use and understand color, and compositions that use the elements of art. We do not expect portfolios to be masterful, but to demonstrate creativity and the ability to develop skills and understand art concepts and techniques.
Portfolios must be submitted online through the application portal below. Pertinent information about each piece including title of work, medium, dimensions, and date completed must be included.
PDF's can be submitted using these instructions or by uploading works to google drive, dropbox, or other cloud sites and sharing the link in the application. When uploading files through the portal below, pay attention to file types (listed below) and document size. (Please note: Links to websites or google folders that require viewers to request permission to gain access will not be reviewed.)
Do not send CDs, DVDs, thumb drives, videos, cassettes, slides, or photographic prints to the Department of Art by mail or in person. Works may only be submitted through the online application portal. Any work submitted by mail or in person to the Department of Art will not be reviewed and will not be returned.
Transfer Students
Students planning to transfer Art credits from other Colleges or Universities must submit portfolios that demonstrate objectives of the art courses they are transferring to SHSU. Transfer Portfolio Requirements for students transferring Art credits.
University Art Gallery
Satellite Gallery
Department of Art Box 2089, Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX 77341-2089 Phone: 936.294.4311