Art BA
Total Units Required: 120
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).
The option in art education is a great way to get started on a career in teaching the visual arts. You earn a bachelor's degree and gain the subject matter competency needed to apply for a teaching credential, such as the Single Subject Credential in Art, which allows you to teach in a California public school. Additionally, the program also prepares you for graduate study in art education and for careers in museums, galleries, art and cultural organizations, and other community-based educational settings.
The option in art history teaches you 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.
The option in art studio provides theory and practice for the development of perceptual and conceptual skills needed to engage in creative visual expression. The BA program allows you to study and excel in the visual arts through eight studio concentrations, including ceramics, drawing, digital media, glass design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.
Course Requirements for the Major: 54 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Courses that appear in both the core and an option can only be counted toward one of the areas.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| ARTS 122 | 2D Design | 3 |
| ARTS 123 | 3D Design | 3 |
| ARTS 125 | Basic Drawing | 3 |
| ARTH 441W | Contemporary Art (W) | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Art History Survey: Prehistory to Medieval | ||
| Art History Survey: Renaissance to 1800 | ||
| Art History Survey: 1800 to the Present | ||
| Asian Art Survey | ||
| Survey of Arts of the Americas, Oceania, and Africa | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Teaching Careers in Art | ||
| Art History Careers | ||
| Introduction to Theory and Practice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Painting | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Traditional (Film-Based) Photography | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media | ||
| Introduction to Ceramics | ||
| Introduction to Sculpture | ||
| Introduction to Glass Art | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art History Issues (W) | ||
| Greek Art and Architecture (W) | ||
| Roman Art and Architecture (W) | ||
| Medieval Art and Architecture (W) | ||
| 20th Century Art (W) | ||
| American Art (W) | ||
| Art in California (W) | ||
| Ancient Mexican Art (W) | ||
| Maya Art (W) | ||
| Colonial and Modern Mexican Art (W) | ||
| Ancient Andean Art (W) | ||
| American Indian Art (W) | ||
| African Art (W) | ||
| Modern History of Interiors, Furnishings, and Architecture (W) | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cultural Diversity in Art Education (W) | ||
| Professional Practices Seminar (W) | ||
| Art History: Theory and Research Methods (W) | ||
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 24 | |
| Art Education | ||
| Art History | ||
| Art Studio | ||
| Total Units | 54 | |
Major Option Course Requirements
Select at least one of the following options to complete the major course requirements.
Students who choose a second option must complete a minimum of 15 upper-division units in that option.
The Option in Art Education: 24 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to 2D Art | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Basic Life Drawing | ||
| Introduction to Painting | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking | ||
| Introduction to 3D Art | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ceramics | ||
| Introduction to Sculpture | ||
| Introduction to Glass Art | ||
| Introduction to Digital Art and Photography | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Traditional (Film-Based) Photography | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media | ||
| Art Education | ||
| ARTE 401 | Manga and Beyond: Influences of Pop Culture in the Visual Art World | 3 |
| ARTE 489 | Art Teaching Internship 1 | 3 |
| ARTE 494 | Development of Youth Art | 3 |
| Art Studio | ||
| Select six units from one of the following studio course groups: | 6 | |
Ceramics Group | ||
| Intermediate Ceramics | ||
| Intermediate Ceramics: Surface | ||
| Intermediate Ceramics: Mold Making | ||
| Advanced Ceramics | ||
| Public Art | ||
Digital Media Group | ||
| 2D Animation | ||
| Stop-Motion Animation | ||
| Digital Illustration | ||
| Advanced 2D Animation | ||
| New Media | ||
| Public Art | ||
Drawing Group | ||
| Intermediate Ideation Drawing | ||
| Intermediate Life Drawing | ||
| Advanced Ideation Drawing | ||
| Advanced Life Drawing | ||
| Public Art | ||
Glass Design Group | ||
| Intermediate Glass Art | ||
| Advanced Glass Art | ||
| Public Art | ||
Painting Group | ||
| Intermediate Painting | ||
| Intermediate Portfolio Painting | ||
| Advanced Painting | ||
| Advanced Life Painting | ||
| Public Art | ||
Photography Group | ||
| Topics in Photography | ||
| Alternative Photography | ||
| Advanced Fine Art Photography | ||
| Advanced Alternative Photography | ||
| Public Art | ||
Printmaking Group | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Intaglio | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Silkscreen | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Lithography | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Relief | ||
| Advanced Printmaking | ||
| Public Art | ||
Sculpture Group | ||
| Intermediate Sculpture: Materials & Methods | ||
| Intermediate Sculpture: Fire Arts and Foundry | ||
| Intermediate Sculpture: The Body and Performance | ||
| Advanced Sculpture | ||
| Public Art | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
- 1
Must be taken for three units.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. If applying to the Single Subject Credential Program, choose from the following 17 units of prerequisite and required Single Subject Credential courses:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDTE 255 | Introduction to Democratic Perspectives in TK-12 Teaching | 3 |
| EDTE 302 | Access and Equity in Education | 3 |
| EDTE 451 | Health Education for Secondary School Teachers | 3 |
| EDTE 530 | Fundamentals of Teaching Practice for Secondary Teachers | 3 |
| EDTE 534 | Teaching Special Populations | 2 |
| ENGL 471 | Intensive Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
Note: POLS 155 is required for the credential program, but this requirement can be met through GE.
Teaching credential program requirements are governed by legislative action and approval of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Requirements may change between catalogs. Please consult with your Art Education advisor.
More information on the Single Subject Credential Program can be obtained through the School of Education.
The Option in Art History: 24 units
Substitutions for double majors and Museum Studies Certificate students are by permission of advisor.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Art History Survey: Prehistory to Medieval | ||
| Art History Survey: Renaissance to 1800 | ||
| Art History Survey: 1800 to the Present | ||
| Asian Art Survey | ||
| Survey of Arts of the Americas, Oceania, and Africa | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Art History Issues (W) | ||
| Greek Art and Architecture (W) | ||
| Roman Art and Architecture (W) | ||
| Medieval Art and Architecture (W) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Art History Issues (W) | ||
| Ancient Mexican Art (W) | ||
| Maya Art (W) | ||
| Colonial and Modern Mexican Art (W) | ||
| Ancient Andean Art (W) | ||
| American Indian Art (W) | ||
| African Art (W) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Art History Issues (W) | ||
| 20th Century Art (W) | ||
| American Art (W) | ||
| Art in California (W) | ||
| Modern History of Interiors, Furnishings, and Architecture (W) | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
The Option in Art Studio: 24 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| Photography emphasis students take ARTS 241 instead of ARTS 126 | ||
| ARTS 126 | Basic Life Drawing | 3 |
| Introduction to Art Studio | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Students should carefully select courses based on the prerequisites for the courses listed in the selected areas of emphasis. | ||
| Introduction to Painting | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Traditional (Film-Based) Photography | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media | ||
| Introduction to Ceramics | ||
| Introduction to Sculpture | ||
| Introduction to Glass Art | ||
| Art Studio Courses | ||
| For a single emphasis select 9 units from one of the following studio course groups. Select an additional 6 units from any studio course, for a total of 15 units. 1 | 15 | |
Ceramics Group | ||
| Intermediate Ceramics | ||
| Intermediate Ceramics: Surface | ||
| Intermediate Ceramics: Mold Making | ||
| Advanced Ceramics | ||
| Public Art | ||
Digital Media Group | ||
| 2D Animation | ||
| Stop-Motion Animation | ||
| Digital Illustration | ||
| Advanced 2D Animation | ||
| New Media | ||
| Public Art | ||
Drawing Group | ||
| Intermediate Ideation Drawing | ||
| Intermediate Life Drawing | ||
| Advanced Ideation Drawing | ||
| Advanced Life Drawing | ||
| Public Art | ||
Glass Design Group | ||
| Intermediate Glass Art | ||
| Advanced Glass Art | ||
| Public Art | ||
Painting Group | ||
| Intermediate Painting | ||
| Intermediate Portfolio Painting | ||
| Advanced Painting | ||
| Advanced Life Painting | ||
| Public Art | ||
Photography Group | ||
| Topics in Photography | ||
| Alternative Photography | ||
| Advanced Fine Art Photography | ||
| Advanced Alternative Photography | ||
| Public Art | ||
Printmaking Group | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Intaglio | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Silkscreen | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Lithography | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking: Relief | ||
| Advanced Printmaking | ||
| Public Art | ||
Sculpture Group: | ||
| Intermediate Sculpture: Materials & Methods | ||
| Intermediate Sculpture: Fire Arts and Foundry | ||
| Intermediate Sculpture: The Body and Performance | ||
| Advanced Sculpture | ||
| Public Art | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
- 1
A minimum of six units must be at the 400 level.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. Consult with an advisor to help select courses that provide breadth to your University experience and possibly help satisfy credential, professional, or graduate school prerequisites or support completion of a minor.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:
- Take one Writing (W) course.
- Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
- Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
- Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.
See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.
Major-Designated Courses
Writing (W) Course
- Any Writing (W) course in the department, which includes the following subjects: ARTE, ARTH, ARTI, and ARTS.
GWAR (GW) Course
Definition of Blended Programs
A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.
Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.
Blended Art BA (art history option) + Art MA
Eligibility
The blended BA + MA is for highly motivated, well-qualified students. The program allows a student to apply after completing at least 60 units toward their bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Application Procedure
Application deadlines: April 1 for fall start, November 1 for spring start.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended program. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an application fee. GRE scores are not required. Students must meet the requirements outlined below to change to blended graduate status and continue toward the master's degree.
The application requires candidates to provide the names and email addresses of two instructors—typically art history faculty—to serve as references. Students must consult with these individuals in advance, as well as with the Graduate Coordinator, to confirm their willingness to provide support.
Grading Requirement
Once in the blended program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their remaining undergraduate and graduate semesters.
Transition to Graduate Status
Students can transition to the graduate program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Coordinator will verify graduate program eligibility at the end of the semester in which the bachelor's degree is completed. Qualified students change to graduate status effective the following semester.
Student eligibility for the program will be determined with the support of the faculty, including the Graduate Coordinator. This evaluation will be based on an assessment of the student’s demonstrated ability to
- locate and analyze information on art historical topics;
- articulate diverse theories and perspectives within Art History;
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of arguments;
- effectively apply fundamental grammar and academic writing skills, including the proper use of citations and bibliographic formatting for research purposes;
- formulate a Master’s thesis topic.
Requirements for the Blended BA + MA
The blended program allows up to 12 units from the courses below to count toward both degrees.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 400W | Art History Issues (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 411W | Greek Art and Architecture (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 412W | Roman Art and Architecture (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 413W | Medieval Art and Architecture (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 433W | 20th Century Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 441W | Contemporary Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 451W | American Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 471W | Ancient Mexican Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 472W | Maya Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 473W | Colonial and Modern Mexican Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 474W | Ancient Andean Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 475W | American Indian Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 476W | African Art (W) | 3 |
| ARTH 500W | Art History: Theory and Research Methods (W) | 3 |
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:
- Demonstrate knowledge of art and design by integrating historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives.
- Apply creative and critical thinking skills to analyze, interpret, and produce art and visual culture across diverse contexts.
- Communicate and present effectively in multiple modes: visual, written, and oral.
- Conduct individual and collaborative projects that demonstrate originality and professionalism.
- Engage ethically and inclusively with diverse culture and communities through art.
- Transfer and apply artistic and intellectual skills to a wide range of careers in art and relevant fields.