Generally, you should not complete more than five or six hours of studio work, excluding credit earned in introductory art appreciation courses. Such art appreciation courses are not the equivalent of courses in the required "Foundations Program," but will be accepted as elective credit. Transferable art credit and additional major requirements will be determined by a Department of Art advisor.

Students pursuing a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree will need a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average to be admitted to the program.

You should complete the equivalents of 48C:001 Oral Communication and 620:005 Introduction to College Writing before transferring. Transfer credit applicable toward the major is determined by the head of the department. Dependent upon the major, participation in such co-curricular activities as Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), campus radio or forensics is also recommended. A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average is required for this major.

Because this is a specialized major, you are encouraged to transfer no later than the spring semester of your sophomore year. A number of junior year required courses have specific prerequisites. Courses in linguistics, anthropology, sociology and psychology will support your new area of study at Northern Iowa. A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average is required for admission to this major.

One or two courses in writing are recommended during the freshman and sophomore years, as is consultation with a department advisor immediately after transferring.

You should begin coursework in your chosen language during the first semester of your freshman year. Emphasis should be on mastering the basic skills in preparation for intermediate and advanced courses conducted solely in the subject language. If your proficiency permits you to enroll in intermediate or advanced classes as a junior, you should be able to complete your program in four semesters. Otherwise, it may be necessary to take additional work during the summer.

A music major requires careful planning. If you plan to transfer as a sophomore, you should have completed courses in basic music theory, music appreciation, piano and applied work in your area of specialization. If you plan to transfer as a junior, then you should have completed these courses plus continued applied work in your specialization, along with piano and second year basic music theory. With such a background you should be able to graduate in four semesters, though it is often necessary for junior transfer students to attend one or two summer sessions in order to meet all requirements. Contact the School of Music to arrange an audition, which is required for acceptance into the major. Phone (319) 273-2024.

Students intending to major in philosophy and/or religion should take Liberal Arts Core courses that stress intellectual history and the humanities. Introductory courses in either discipline are also useful. Pre-theological students should keep in mind the pre-theological requirements, as well as the expectations of their intended seminary, and schedule accordingly. The majors require 36 hours of credit; the pre-theological emphasis requires 24, which may count on a religion major or minor, making completion of any of the programs in four semesters a likelihood. A second major in a related field is also possible in four semesters.

It would be helpful for students planning to transfer as juniors to have completed coursework in acting, play or script analysis, stagecraft or technical theatre, costuming and make-up. Participation in such co-curricular activities as Lyric Theatre and Interpreter's Theatre is also recommended. A cumulative 2.5 grade point average is required for admission to the major.