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Bachelor of Arts in Art

4_Art Ed.jpgThe Bachelor of Arts degree in Art at SF State provides innovative and rigorous Concentrations in Art Education, Art History and varied studio Arts as well as a concentration in Art history/Studio Art. An art major requires a minimum of 46 units of art courses, including 12 units of lower division core requirements and a minimum of 28 units of upper division work.

For students transferring from other institutions, a minimum of twelve units in residence is required. Students are required to choose an Area of Concentration by the junior year, after they have finished the 12 unit required program of lower division core work. Majors are required to be advised yearly. Graduating seniors are required to submit a senior project at the beginning of the culminating semester in order to complete the degree program.

Before advancing to the 300-level or higher courses or declaring a concentration in the art program, all declared ART majors must:

  1. Successfully complete 12 units of prerequisite 200 level core courses. The following courses/units are required in each concentration and are indicated on the road maps for each concentration fro the BA degree in Art:
    • Studio
      Selected from: Art 222, 231, 235, 240, 245, or 260 (6 units)
    • Art History
      Selected from: ART 201, 202, 204, or 205 (6 units)
  2. Complete their lower division requirements (including segment II) of the General Education requirements at SFSU or the equivalent at another institution.

Change of major applicants.Undeclared majors and students enrolled in other disciplines at SF State who seek to change their major to ART must have:

  1. Successfully complete 12 units of prerequisite 200 level core courses. The following courses/units are required in each concentration and are indicated on the road maps for each concentration fro the BA degree in Art:
    • Studio
      Selected from: Art 222, 231, 235, 240, 245, or 260 (6 units)
    • Art History
      Selected from: ART 201, 202, 204, or 205 (6 units)
  2. Complete their lower division requirements (including segment II) of the General Education requirements at SFSU or the equivalent at another institution.
  3. Show proof of advising from a full-time faculty in the ART department.

Area of Concentration

The area of concentration allows for intensive study in one specialty in the visual arts, with a degree of breadth sufficient for understanding and awareness in other areas. Students are encouraged to decide on their area of concentration by the junior year, and to discuss their choice of concentration with an adviser in that area. In some instances, the area of concentration will request a portfolio of work completed to date, evidence of preperation foe upper division study, etc. Since some areas are very crowded, students transferring at an advanced level from other institutions should contact an adviser in their proposed area of concentration upon application for admission to this institution. The area of concentration programs may be structured to fit individual needs after conferring with an adviser and obtaining the adviser's approval. Students selecting the studio art concentration declare an emphasis in Ceramics, Conceptual Information Arts, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture or Textiles. Under special circumstances and under advisement of studio faculty, a dual emphasis may be selected in Studio Art. Six (6) units from other departments in the university may be included in the major with the adviser's approval.

Art Education Concentration

A program devoted to the place of the visual arts in elementary and secondary education and in general human development. A minimum of 46 units in art is required for the major and to prepare for the Single Subject Credential in Art. Students who are considering teaching art, should see an art education adviser before planning the major. Specific courses and competency assessment are required for admission to the credential program in this area.

  • Art History Lower Division selected from ART 201, 202, 204, 205 (6 units).
  • Art History Upper Division. Must include one course each of 20th/21st century AND Non-Euro based topic -3 unit minimum (6 units)
  • Diversified lower division 200 level studio courses (12 units)
  • Nine upper division units chosen from one area of studio emphasis by advisement (9 units).
  • Twelve units from upper division diversified studio areas by advisement (12 units).
  • Art Productions, Art 509 or 539 (1 unit)

Total: 46 units

For an art education degree roadmap please visit http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/roadmaps/2008450703ART%20AE.pdf

Art History Concentration

The history of visual form examined in relation to the values, beliefs, and institutions of specific cultures.

  • Lower division art history courses selected from ART 201, 202, 204, 205 (6 units).
  • Upper division art history combining courses chosen from both Groups A and B (on advisement). Group A: ART 500, 502, 503, 507, 508. Group B: ART 303, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 408, 501, 504, 506, 507. Upon advisement, ART 701 and/or ART 703 may be substituted for upper division are art history lecture courses (24 units).
  • ART 602,Normally taken in fall semester of senior year (3 units).
  • 200-level studio courses and/or gallery practice on advisement (6 units).
  • Electives or foreign language, may include courses taken as part of the 48-unit General Education Program (6 units).
  • Art productions, ART 509 or 539 (1 unit).
  • No more than 12 units from a foreign study program may be applied to the emphasis in art history.

Total: 46 units

For an art history degree roadmap please visit http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/roadmaps/2008450703ART%20AH.pdf.

Studio Art Concentration

Students should select an emphasis within the Studio Concentration, mastering skills and theory withing a specific discipline/area. In special circumstances student may slect two areas within the studio concentration (see Dual studio emphasis)

Ceramics, Conceptual Information Arts, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Textiles Emphases: Students selecting any of these emphasis must take:

  • Art History Lower Division selected from ART 201, 202, 204, 205 (6 units).
  • Art History Upper Division. Must include one course each of 20th/21st century AND Non-Euro based topic -3 unit minimum (6 units)
  • Twenty-one units in the selected emphasis, 3 units in core 200 level studio course, eighteen units must be upper division (21 units).
  • In other practice (studio) areas. Three (3) units Core 200 level studio course, Six (6) units must be upper division and may include six related art practice units from another department on advisement (12 units).
  • Art Productions, Art 509 or 539 (1 unit)

Total: 46 units

For a studio degree roadmap please visit http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/roadmaps/2008450703ART%20AH.pdf.

Dual Emphasis in Studio Art (Dual Emphasis I)

A dual emphasis is available for students with crossover interests in any two-studio areas listed above, such as painting/printmaking. The emphasis consists of a planned combination of courses, approved in advance. Approval must be by advisers in both areas. Courses in Dual Emphasis I must total a minimum of 46 units, including at least twelve upper division units in one studio area and nine upper division units in the other. Two elective related courses (six units) are possible. In addition, the student is required to take two lower division studio courses. All other requirements for the B.A. in Art, as listed above, must be satisfied.

  • Art History Lower Division selected from ART 201, 202, 204, 205 (6 units).
  • Art History Upper Division. Must include one course each of 20th/21st century AND Non-Euro based topic -3 unit minimum (6 units)
  • Core 200 level studio courses (6-9 units)
  • Upper Division in one emphasis area (12 units)
  • Upper division in second emphasis area (9 units)
  • Studio elective on advisement, 3 units must be upper division and may include six units in related art practice from another department on advisement (3-6 units)
  • Art Productions, ART 509 or 539 (1 unit)
    Total: 46 units

    Concentration in Art History and Studio Art

    A concentration in Art History and Studio Art is available for students with crossover interests in Studio and Art History. The Concentration consists of a planned combination of courses in both areas, approved in advance by advisers in Art History and Studio. Courses in Concentration in Art History and Studio Art must total 46 units to be distributed as follows.

    • Art History Lower Division selected from ART 201, 202, 204, 205, Must include one course each of 20th/21st century AND Non-Euro based topic -3 unit minimum (6 units)
    • Art History Upper Division, must include 3 units of 20th/21st century based courses (15-18 units)
    • ART 602 art History Methods GWAR (3 units)
    • Lower Division Studio courses selected from Art 222, 231, 235, 240, 245, 260 (6 units)
    • Upper division studio elective in studio emphasis (12 units)
    • Upper Division studio elective outside area of emphasis (3-6 units)
    • One unit in Art Productions.

    Total: 46 units

    For the Concentration in Art History and Studio Art degree roadmap please visit http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/roadmaps/2008450703ART%20D1.pdf.

    To initiate a Concentration in Art History and Studio Art, the student is expected to consult advisers in the appropriate areas and to draft a contractual proposed course of study on a Concentration Advising Form. The program must be approved by the advisers and the chair of the department in advance. Copies of the form are retained by the student, the advisers, and the department. Students should seek continued advising each semester to assure satisfactory progress in the proposed course of study.

    Mandatory Advising

    All art majors are required to see an art department faculty advisor twice a semester, at the beginning of each semester and before class registration. This requirement is to help facilitate an individualized program for the student and to ensure that the student fulfills all requirements for graduation.

    Admission to the Undergraduate Program

    Students are not required to submit portfolios for admission to the undergraduate programs. Lower-division courses are open to all interested students on a space-available basis. Upper-division courses generally have prerequisites for admission. Students should check the University Bulletin for specific information about each course or speak with faculty advisers. Lower-division art courses taken at community colleges may satisfy some of the requirements for the major program. Advanced courses taken at accredited colleges and universities may also be considered for transfer. Transfer information is available from the SFSU Admissions Office. Department faculty can provide advisement about accepting transfer units to the major if students bring transcripts and course information with them to advising meetings.

    Applications for admission to the art major are accepted by the University's Office of Enrollment Services only during the application filing periods of October 1 - November 30 (for admission the following Fall) and August 1-31 (for admission the following spring). Applications received outside of these two filing periods will not be considered.

    For undergraduate admission information please visit the SF State Admissions: http://www.sfsu.edu/future

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