A BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so students will take more art courses than they would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, students also have the advantages of a university education where they can diversify their studies and expand their career opportunities.

Studies will focus on the understanding and application of meaning as it applies to visual communication. Students will be introduced to specialized areas such as book illustration, character development, concept art, and documentary illustration and will gain experience in the fundamental principles of color, composition, drawing, and rendering.

As students develop their own personal style, they will build a professional portfolio and learn about the business aspects of illustration. A degree in illustration will prepare students for careers in animation, illustration, multimedia design, scientific visualization, as well as for graduate study.