Art Education, BFA

• Study abroad (Semester, Maymester, or Summer)
• Belmont USA program in alternate markets (N.Y.C., L.A., Washington D.C.)
• Four campus gallery spaces to professionally exhibit your work
• Opportunities to present at campus wide research symposiums and professional conferences
• Kappa Pi, an international honorary art fraternity
• Compete in local and international art/design competitions

The Watkins College of Art requires all students applying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree to submit a portfolio as a part of the admissions process. You must first be admitted to Belmont before hearing a decision from Watkins. 

Portfolios submitted before December 1 will be considered for the Watkins Merit Scholarships. Any applications submitted after December 1 will be considered for admission, but not for departmental scholarships.  

View all Portfolio Guidelines

Deadlines for the Portfolio and Belmont application: 
December 1 for scholarship consideration 
April 1 for incoming freshmen students 
June 1 for incoming transfer students 

What if I am accepted to Belmont but not the BFA program? 
Any applicants not accepted into a BFA program will have the option to be enrolled in a second major of their choice. We encourage applicants to select one of our Bachelor of Arts majors (Art Studies, Art History, or Photographic Studies). At the end of the student’s freshman year and completion of foundational courses, the student will be eligible to reapply to the BFA program through another portfolio review. 

The Watkins College of Art has significant scholarship opportunities for students. Last year, the college offered more than 70 scholarships to incoming students valued over $350,000.

Merit Scholarships

Applicants who intend to pursue a degree in the Watkins College of Art and wish to be considered for the merit-based scholarship must submit a portfolio of work in art and/or design. Students must have their Belmont application and portfolio submitted by December 1 to be eligible for the scholarships.

Please visit the Portfolio Guidelines page for more specific details.

Learn more.

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships will be determined from a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the official form that families use to apply for college financial assistance from the federal government.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

Students applying to Belmont as Art Education majors are exclusively eligible for Belmont’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)—a unique offering designed to support your financial well-being after graduation.

Here’s how it works:

• To qualify, you must apply as an Art Education major and submit the FAFSA (demonstrated financial need is not required).

• After completing your degree, if your annual salary is below $55,000, LRAP will repay your student loans—at no cost to you—until your income exceeds that threshold.

This powerful program provides long-term peace of mind and helps ensure you can pursue your passion for teaching art without the weight of student loan debt holding you back.

Scholarships for Current Students

Senior Art Education majors are eligible candidates for the program-specific Larkin Art Education Scholarship; the Larkin Award is determined via demonstrated excellence in the field and leadership in the art education community.

In addition to Belmont University's Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation, the Watkins College of Art is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The Art Education program is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Art Education degree path leads to certification upon successful completion of degree and passing the required Art assessment exams.

Teacher education programs at Belmont University meet the licensure requirements in Tennessee as approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Teacher candidates who complete an educator preparation program at Belmont but wish to teach in another state will be required to apply for licensure in the intended state.

Teacher Licensure reciprocity is available in many states through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Click here to learn more about the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. While reciprocity agreements are in place, each state has determined their licensure eligibility requirements and students are responsible for verifying that they understand the state requirements before beginning their program. Belmont University reviews and updates this information annually to ensure accuracy and to provide the most current guidance to prospective and enrolled students.