Degrees in Art and Art History

The Bachelor of Arts in Art provides three options of study, all of which are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Art Education
This option is a gateway to the California Single Subject Credential in Art. By completing this approved course study, students earn a bachelor’s degree in art and subject matter competency in art, which is required for entrance into an approved credential program in California. This will also prepare students for an art teaching career in schools, museums, galleries, and community settings.

BFA Information

Info Meeting
Tuesday February 20th in Ayres 121 at 5:15pm (All Are Welcome)

Applications Due
Tuesday April 11th (Submit by Email by 5:00pm)

Portfolio Review
Wednesday April 17th in Ayres 216 and 213 at 5:00pm (in-person). Students set up at 4:00pm.

Required Application Information and Forms:

• Portfolio Review Procedures
• BFA Application Checklist & Forms (PDF)

Art History
This option is designed to teach students to think critically about global visual arts and culture. The art history program provides training leading to art history careers (museum, gallery, and academic) and entry into master’s programs, as well as a solid foundation in research and writing skills that are highly valued by diverse employers. The faculty are widely recognized for their contributions to the field, with particular strengths in Medieval, modern/contemporary, and Mesoamerican art history.

Art Studio
This option is designed to provide theory and practice for the development of perceptual and conceptual skills needed to engage in creative visual expression. The BA program allows students the opportunity to study and excel in the visual arts through our eight studio concentrations including ceramics, drawing, digital media, glass design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

Art Studio
This is a professional degree designed to give students more intensive studies within eight studio concentrations including ceramics, drawing, digital media, glass design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The BFA program develops the understanding and advanced specialized skills for professional practice and to meet entrance requirements to graduate schools.

Interior Architecture
The interior architecture program provides a professional degree in a four-year curriculum. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in the interior design/interior architecture profession. The interior architecture curriculum emphasizes both the theoretical and the practical, from concept to articulation.

The goal is to provide students with a design education that is well-rounded and applicable to the next generation of interior architecture professionals. Courses encompass design theory, design history, human behavior, critical thinking, problem-solving, building technologies, codes and life safety, communication skills, and professional values.

While structured as a four-year program, transfer students will need to plan to be enrolled for six semesters to successfully complete the program.

The Minor in Art History is a flexible program that provides a basis through introductory survey courses and then allows students to focus on periods and regions that interest them for upper-division coursework.

The Minor in Art Studio gives students the opportunity to take courses in studio art and provides experience in the fundamentals and principles of art. Students completing this minor will develop their critical thinking, visual literacy, and problem-solving abilities. An art studio minor enhances students’ career outlook by providing them with a skillset in demand in a variety of professions in the media, arts, culture, service, and education industries.

The Minor in Interior Design provides students with an overview of the interior design profession. Through varied coursework, students develop an understanding of how interior design affects human activity.

The Minor in Photographic Studies allows students to develop skills that will add valuable breadth and career flexibility to their primary degree.

The MA in art history is designed to prepare post-baccalaureate students for a variety of professional opportunities (e.g., museum work) and/or for entrance to doctoral (PhD) programs in other institutions. This guide gives an overview of what to expect during the two years or more needed to complete the degree program. The students are expected to regularly consult the University Catalog (current in the academic year of the student's admission to the Graduate School) and monitor changes in regulations and requirements governed by the Graduate School. Since students are accepted into the MA program as "conditionally classified," normally, the art history faculty collectively acts as academic and career advisors until a "classified" status is achieved and a thesis committee formed. Graduate students should discuss their objectives and career interests with all art history faculty as early as possible, so that they can receive appropriate program and degree directions.

They are also expected to meet with the graduate art history advisor and other faculty (if appropriate) on a regular basis (suggested at least twice a semester) in order to discuss their academic progress and planning, and to obtain such information as up-coming conferences, grants, scholarships, and internship programs. By the end of the second semester of the first year, all students should informally create their thesis committee by consulting with faculty members and the graduate art history advisor. It is recommended that the committee consist of three members. Upon completion of their regular course work, a classification examination is given for determining a "classified" status. At this time, the official paperwork concerning the thesis committee is filed. Thereafter, the thesis committee provides directions for completing the thesis and the MA degree during the fourth semester, or later if necessary.

The Bachelor of Arts, Option in Art Education fulfills all requirements for the Single Subject Matter Preparation in Art, in conjunction with the Professional Education program, will lead to a California Single Subject Credential in Art. Information for prerequisites and other admission requirements to professional education (credential) programs is available through the School of Education.

Subject matter preparation requirements are governed by state legislative action and approval of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Requirements may change between catalogs. If you are interested in obtaining a Single Subject Credential in Art, please contact Single Subject Credential Advisor in Art early in your university career.