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Degree Requirements

CoursesCredits
Required Foundation Studio 
Basic Drawing (Analytical and Descriptive)6
2-Dimensional Design4
3-Dimensional Design6
Color4
Introduction to Techniques2
Required Art History  
Introduction to Art History I2
Introduction to Art History II2
Introduction to Art History III2
Art History Electives8
Required General Academic Studies 
Freshman year: 
Literary Forms and Expressions3
Texts and Contexts: Old Worlds and New3
Sophomore year: 
The Making of Modern Society3
The Modern Context: Figures and Topics3
General Academic Studies Electives 
To be elected from Art History, Foreign Language, History of Architecture, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences12
Science3
Prerequisite and Advanced Studio Courses 
To be elected from any studio discipline54
Required Senior Presentation0
Free Electives 
To be elected from courses in any discipline at Cooper Union or at other institutions approved by the Dean of the School of Art11
Total Credit Requirements for the BFA Degree128

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.