Fall 2024 Transfer Major-Specific Degree Requirements - College of the Arts (COTA)

These criteria will be used for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 transfer admission consideration only.
Admission criteria are subject to change for future admission cycles. See ASSIST to determine the courses offered at California institutions which will satisfy the specific course requirements.

Admission to all majors at CSULB is competitive because CSULB continues to have more qualified applicants than available new student spaces. All transfer students must declare a major when submitting their application. Review Transfer Application and Admissions eligibility for details. To review the detailed major-specific degree requirements select the major below. If a major is highly impacted, it will be noted next to the name of the major and additional supplemental criteria and requirements are indicated in the major-specific details.


Admission Consideration

 

  • Except for highly impacted majors, CSU eligible applicants who are considered local based on their high school of graduation or their military veteran status will be offered admission if they meet the major-specific minimum cumulative GPA and required lower-division preparation.
  • For local applicants who apply to a highly impacted major, their cumulative grade point average (GPA) will be increased by 0.1 during the admissions process. This calculated GPA will be applied to the competitive ranking and departmental review for admissibility to a highly impacted program.
  • Other CSU-eligible applicants who have met the major-specific minimum cumulative GPA and the minimum required lower-division preparation will be admitted on a space available basis based on their cumulative GPA and the additional preparation courses completed if specified in the criteria.
  • If space is available after all students meeting the minimum major GPA and preparation have been accommodated, then CSU-eligible students without the minimum major preparation may be considered.
  • Students admitted to the major who have not completed the additional recommended transfer requirements or the additional CSULB requirements must complete them during their first year at CSULB.

Note:

For spring term admission, coursework and unit minimums must be completed no later than the prior summer term.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) curriculum is used in lieu of the major-specific degree requirements. We strongly encourage students to complete both the recommended and required courses because CSULB remains highly competitive in our admissions process. Under current CSU guidelines, the cumulative GPA will be increased by 0.1 and this calculated GPA will be applied in the ranking of applicants. Please refer to Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) for a complete list of requirements and additional information on how the ADT will be used in the competitive ranking process.

 


Requirements by Major

 

B.F.A. Option in Ceramics

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA Options must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required) Course Number Course Title
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 251A Introduction to Ceramic Arts: Handbuilding
ART 251B Introduction to Ceramic Arts: Wheel Throwing

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B.F.A. Option in Drawing & Painting and Illustration/Animation

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA Options must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required) Course Number Course Title
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 184 Foundation Life Drawing
ART 287 Introduction to Painting

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B.F.A. Option in Photography

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA Options must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required) Course Number Course Title
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 241 Introduction to Photography

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B.F.A. Option in Printmaking

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA Options must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required) Course Number Course Title
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 184 Foundation Life Drawing
ART 241 or 287 Intro Studio: Photography - Digital or Intro Studio: Painting
ART 270 Intro Studio: Printmaking

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B.F.A. Option in Sculpture

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA Options must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required) Course Number Course Title
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 261 Introduction to Life Sculptures: From the Figure to the Body
ART 263 Introduction to Sculpture/4D

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B.F.A. Option in 3-D Media

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA Options must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required) Course Number Course Title
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 263 Introduction to Sculpture/4D
ART 287 Introduction to Painting

Explore:

B.A. Option in Studio Art

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. 

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

B.F.A. Option in Graphic Design

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA Options must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5:  Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 223 Introduction to Typography

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

B.A. in Art Education

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

B.A. in Art History

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5: Course Number Course Title
Take two of the following:    
ART HISTORY 111A Foundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY 111B Foundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART HISTORY 111C Foundation Art History: Latin American Arts and Architecture  
ART HISTORY 111D Foundation Art History: Asia, Early Sacred Cultures 
ART HISTORY 111E Foundation Art History: Asia, Later Traditions
ART HISTORY 111F Foundation Art History: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America 
ART HISTORY 111G Foundation Art History: Arts of Islamic Religion
     
Take two of the following:    
ART 130 Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART 131 Foundation Three - Dimensional
ART 132 Foundation Color Theory
ART 150 Foundation Transdisciplinary Practice
ART 181 Foundation Drawing
ART 241 Intro Studio: Photography - Digital
ART 251A Intro Studio: Ceramic Arts - Hand-building
ART 251B Intro Studio: Ceramic Arts - Wheel-throwing
ART 257 Intro Studio: Metals
ART 261 Intro Studio: Sculpture - Life
ART 263 Intro Studio: Sculpture - Beginning
ART 270 Intro Studio: Printmaking

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

Dance B.A. & B.F.A.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following an audition and demonstrate the following.  Contact department for details of the audition process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
NONE N/A N/A

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

Dance Science B.S.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following an audition and demonstrate the following.  Contact department for details of the audition process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0: Course Number Course Title
BIOL 207 Human Physiology
BIOL 208 Human Anatomy
PSY 100 General Psychology

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

 

Design B.A. or Industrial Design B.S.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following.  Applicants to the BFA or BS programs must also receive a positive recommendation from a panel of faculty jurors following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant.  Applicants do NOT submit portfolios until all lower-division Design coursework (100 and 200 level) has been completed.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
Major Preparation Courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5 Course Number Course Title
DESN 120A Fundamentals of Design 
DESN 120B Fundamentals of Design 

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

B.F.A in Interior Design 

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following.  Applicants to the BFA or BS programs must also receive a positive recommendation from a panel of faculty jurors following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant.  Applicants do NOT submit portfolios until all lower-division Design coursework (100 and 200 level) has been completed.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
Major Preparation Courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5 Course Number Course Title
DESN 120A Fundamentals of Design 
DESN 120B Fundamentals of Design 

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

Please Note: The Option in Narrative Production has been discontinued effective Fall 2024. Students who wish to study directing or cinematography should apply to FEA Theory & Practice of Cinema

 

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.75
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
Complete at least three of the following six courses:     
FEA 101 Orientation to Film & Electronic Arts
FEA 201 Film History I: Origins to 1960
FEA 202 Film History II: 1960 to Present
FEA 207 Introduction to Screenwriting
FEA 210 The Visual Story
FEA 220 Sight, Sound & Story

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

Music is a highly impacted major.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following an audition and demonstrate the following.  Contact department for details of the audition process.

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
NONE N/A N/A

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communcation
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore:

BA with Options in Theatre Arts, Performance, & Technical Theatre

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required):

 

Major Preparation Courses  Course Number Course Title
THEA 114A Fundamentals of Acting

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics

Explore: