The School of Art offers three minors: Minor in Art, Minor in Art History and Minor in Museum Studies.
Advising
Students should meet with a faculty advisor at least once a semester to remain on track for a timely graduation. Faculty advising is available during fall and spring semesters with limited advising during the summer and winter. Students can meet with an advisor prior to entering the University. Visit our Advising section for detailed information.
Detailed Information
Degree requirements, learning outcomes and more about our minors in Art can be found in the SF State bulletin.
The Minor in Studio Art gives students the opportunity to take courses in studio art and to gain experience in the fundamentals and principles of art practice. Students also take coursework in art history to learn about the historical, theoretical, and social methods of art history and contemporary art practice. The Studio Art Minor will provide students with skills and knowledge that will complement many other disciplines and major fields of study within the University. It enhances students’ career outlook by providing a versatile skill set including critical thinking and visual literacy, curiosity, risk-taking, experimentation, and problem-solving which are in demand in a variety of professions in the media, arts, culture, service and education industries. Please note: Art History majors may minor in Studio Art, however upper-division coursework may not be double-counted; 12 units of coursework must be unique to the minor.
Students should be aware that studio art practice is time-consuming and expensive. Instructional Materials Fees are required for most studio courses, and students may find themselves spending additional sums of money on their projects.
The Minor in Art History gives students the opportunity to learn about the visual cultures of the past and present around the globe. The 18-unit degree offers a series of increasingly focused courses—200 level survey courses, more specialized 300 and 400 level lecture courses, and a 500 level Advanced Topics—in which students learn how to analyze and interpret visual art within diverse historical, social, political, and cultural contexts. The program takes advantage of the Bay Area's rich cultural resources, galleries and museums. It provides students with skills and knowledge that will complement many other disciplines and major fields of study within the University. It enhances students’ career outlook by providing a versatile skill set including strong writing, oral communication, critical thinking and visual literacy, which are in demand in a variety of professions in the media, arts and culture/service/education industries.
Admission to the Minor is open to all students with upper division standing and who have completed the two lower-division required courses (either two lower-division Art History courses or one lower-division Art History and one lower-division Studio Art course) with a minimum grade of C.
The museum studies minor is rigorous, interdisciplinary and pre-professional in nature. Coursework emphasizes acquiring knowledge in museum practice and theory to understand the public service role of museums and to apply this knowledge to support the work of museums in creating exhibits, educating the public and caring for collections, through collaborative efforts.
Students gain a useful set of pre-professional skills in museum practice, relevant information about museum theory and history, and learn about future careers in museums and informal educational settings. Written, oral and critical thinking skills are developed to evaluate the work of museums. The museum studies minor will prepare students for the terminal master of arts degree in museum studies, or for additional on-the-job training for work in museums. Graduates will appreciate the role and power of museums in the world as centers of learning, enjoyment and community engagement, and as stewards of cultural and natural heritage.
Students must complete M S 201 and M S 202 with a minimum grade of C, have upper division standing and arrange advising with a museum studies faculty member before admission to the minor. Upon admission to the minor, students will be eligible for M S 681: Museum Studies Lab, which involves work in SF State’s Global Museum, and M S 682: Capstone Practicum, a 120-hour practicum in a museum located off campus.
Admission to the minor is open to all students with upper division standing and who have completed M S 201 and M S 202 with a minimum grade of C. Upon admission to the minor, students will be permitted to enroll in ART 619: Exhibition Design, and M S 310: Museum Education Methods and Community Engagement, as well as M S 681: Museum Studies Lab, which involves work in SF State’s Global Museum, and M S 682: Capstone Practicum, a 120-hour practicum in a museum located off campus.
Degree Requirements for the minor in museum studies can be found in the SF State bulletin and the Museum Studies website.