When undergraduate programs require applicants to submit a portfolio, it can include various types of creative work from high school, hobbies, clubs, volunteer work, and community projects.

Visual artists begin to develop the professional portfolio during college. You can include samples of work from team projects and independent projects. Projects you complete during your senior year and internship are most important to your portfolio.

Students in both undergraduate and graduate may be expected to exhibit or publish their work. Often, portfolios are critiqued by fellow students and faculty.

Independent art schools may also grant bachelor and master's degrees. Their programs may focus more intensively on studio work and career preparation while colleges and universities add more in the way of general education requirements to studio work. Most programs now also teach computer techniques in visual arts.