The School of Art’s bachelor of fine arts program in UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) encompasses the disciplines of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation art, ceramics, photography, video and computer arts (which includes animation). Students are exposed to varied and challenging studio experiences in each of these areas, which are intended to heighten intellectual and visual perception and to furnish skills and techniques that such creative work demands. Studios are taught by artist-teachers who are active professionals in one or more visual arts disciplines. A dynamic mixture of style, craft and aesthetic viewpoints among faculty exposes students to a lively variety of ideas and attitudes about art. In this context, art students are encouraged to develop their own philosophies and approaches to art. Fine arts students take courses in art history as well as the humanities, sciences and social sciences from other colleges in the university. A liberal arts education integrated with a serious and intensive involvement in one or more fine arts disciplines forms the basis of these highly professional courses of study. The bachelor of fine arts degree (BFA) is awarded after successful completion of the four-year program. The graduate may immediately enter the workforce as a practitioner in one of several disciplines or may elect to continue studies through graduate work leading to the master of fine arts degree (MFA). Students interested in teaching in a public or private school may participate in an extended program that takes an additional year. Students in this program complete required course work in art education, professional education and practicum experience to meet the state of Ohio National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for PK-12 visual-arts teacher certification and licensure.

Fine artists express themselves visually using one or several different art forms. For example, they may find employment as photographers, ceramists, model builders or video animators. If students choose to take an extra year to complete the teaching licensure option offered within the School of Art, they can teach elementary and/or secondary school art. With advanced study, they may become college teachers, art restorers, art administrators or curators for galleries, museums or exhibition centers.