College of Fine Arts

The College of Fine Arts encourages students to consider all of their study abroad options. UT has over 400 approved programs abroad. To streamline your research, we have highlighted important course information and selected programs that will suit your major. Use the following guidance as a starting point for identifying programs that will best fit your goals, degree plan and coursework.

In order to have the best experience abroad, it is recommended that students meet with their academic advisor early in their undergraduate career. Be sure to review the resources on the Education Abroad pages, including the funding resources page and the events calendar.

As a COFA major, students must meet intermediate proficiency in a foreign language. Students can fulfill core and flag requirements abroad via petition. For more information, view the Texas Undergraduate Studies petitions page. Remember to use the My Credit Abroad database to explore the historical record of courses other UT students have taken abroad.

Getting Started? Get general advising in our Live Q&A or peer advisors. After that, if students need more support, they may meet with a program coordinator.

Questions about credit? Review the Study Abroad Credit page for more information about receiving academic credit while abroad.

Resources

Experiential Programs

Featured Programs by Major

Arts & Entertainment Technologies
Arts & Entertainment majors are required to take 24 hours of upper division coursework to complete the major. The featured semester programs have been selected for their AET coursework. Majors are encouraged to have these courses formally evaluated to ensure departmental support beforehand. The College of Fine Arts also offers two departmentally sponsored faculty-led programs. It is important for majors to be aware of the in-residence credit requirements. AET majors are required to take 6 upper division credits in residence, and the last 18 credits completed must also be in residence. In considering programs to select, students should note that all faculty-led and exchange programs result in in-residence credit.

Featured Semester Programs
Art History
Art History majors are exposed to a range of periods and cultures while strengthening their research, writing, and critical-thinking skills. Studying abroad can provide incredible opportunities to deepen knowledge and skills while also allowing students to enhance understanding of a particular region or type of art. Majors have a substantial amount of flexibility as there are a range of programs that can meet degree plan requirements.

The best time for Art History majors to go abroad is in the sophomore or junior years. The department wishes for students to complete the first-year core on campus. For students wishing to pursue the Art History Honors Program, the senior year coursework requires much independent writing and research. This would not be the ideal time to go abroad.

Semester Programs
Studio Art
The needs of Studio Art majors can vary based upon area of study. The department wishes for students to take their first year of courses on campus. The ideal time to travel abroad is in the sophomore and junior years. 15 credits of the degree plan require coursework in Art History which has substantial pre-approvals which can be found in the My Credit Abroad (MyCA) database. There are additional 6 credits of electives that students could draw from in their study abroad experience. It's important to highlight that the semester programs featured below offer studio art coursework options in addition to Art History, and other electives, and core equivalents.

Featured Semester Programs
Visual Art Studies
Students majoring in Visual Art Studies have a more restrictive degree plan because of when the department offers certain required courses, and the UTeach requirements for student teaching certification. The ideal time for students to go abroad is in the sophomore and junior years, but it is essential to work with an academic advisor. The featured semester programs below offer coursework that can satisfy the Visual Arts Studies, Studio Art and Art History requirements. The department also sponsors two faculty-led programs.

Featured Semester Programs

Faculty-Led Programs

Guatemala: Ancient & Colonial Heritage in Latin America: Cultural Treasures of the Maya (May Term)
Mexico: Engaging the Arts as Audience: Mexican Arts and Youth (May Term) Not running 2024
Italy: Learning Tuscany (Summer)