Fall 2023 Major-Specific Degree Requirements (College of the Arts)
While first-year students may be admitted directly into some majors, many majors require that students begin as “pre-majors” and then meet precise major-specific degree criteria to official declare the major. These criteria include meeting all major-specific degree requirements in the new major and demonstrating a progressively successful academic history that reflects potential success in the major. Upon declaration of major, students must adopt the requirements of the major and any minors in effect at that time in the CSULB Catalog.
All undergraduate students must have a declared major by the time they earn 60 units. This applies equally to students who are:
- Undeclared or pre-major (refer to Declare a Major)
- Requesting to change or add a major (refer to Change of Major)
Browse the following list to find the current major-specific degree requirements for your intended major. Some majors are highly impacted and will be indicated as such. Major-specific degree requirements are subject to change in future terms.
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 - 1500 |
| ART HISTORY | 111B | Foundation Art History 1300 - Present |
| 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:
- The Art Department for more information on this major.
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 - 1500 |
| ART HISTORY | 111B | Foundation Art History 1300 - Present |
| 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:
- The Art Department for more information on this major.
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 - 1500 |
| ART HISTORY | 111B | Foundation Art History 1300 - Present |
| 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:
- The Art Department for more information on this major.
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):
| ART HISTORY Major Preparation Courses | Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
|
Complete a minimum of two of the following seven courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5: |
||
| AH | 111A | Foundation Art History Prehistory - 1500 |
| AH | 111B | Foundation Art History 1300 - Present |
| AH | 111C | Foundation Art History: Latin American Arts and Architecture |
| AH | 111D | Foundation Art History: Asia, Early Sacred Cultures |
| AH | 111E | Foundation Art History: Asia, Later Traditions |
| AH | 111F | Foundation Art History: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America |
| AH | 111G | Foundation Art History: Arts of Islamic Regions |
| ART Major Preparation Courses | Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
|
Complete a minimum of two of the following twelve courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5: |
||
| 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:
- The Art Department for more information on this major.
Dance 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: 2.5
- 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 Communcation
- Oral Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
Explore:
- The Dance Department for more information on this major.
B.S. in Dance Science 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: 2.5
- Minimum lower division preparation (grade of C or better required):
| Major Preparation Courses | 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:
- The Dance Department for more information on this major.
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 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:
- The Design Department for more information on this major.
To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to the BFA program 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:
- The Design Department for more information on this major.
To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to the BS program 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:
- The Design Department for more information on this major.
To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to the Option in Narrative Production must also submit a portfolio that is approved by a department faculty review committee. Contact department for details of portfolio submission and review process. Students who wish to study directing or cinematography should apply to FEA Theory & Practice of Cinema.
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.75
- Minimum lower division preparation (grade of C or better required):
| Major Preparation Courses | Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| Complete a minimum of three of the following six courses: |
||
| FEA | 101 | Understanding Film |
| FEA | 201 | Film History I: Origins-1960 |
| FEA | 202 | Film History II: 1960- 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:
- The Film and Electronic Arts Department for more information on this major.
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 a minimum of three of the following six courses: |
||
| FEA | 101 | Understanding Film |
| FEA | 201 | Film History I: Origins-1960 |
| FEA | 202 | Film History II: 1960- 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:
- The Film and Electronic Arts Department for more information on this major.
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:
- The Music Department for more information on this major.
B.A. 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:
- The Theatre Department for more information on this major.
B.F.A. in Acting
To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0
- Minimum lower division preparation (grade of C or better required):
| Major Preparation Courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| THEA | 103 | Text Analysis |
| THEA | 112 | Beginning Voice and Speech |
| THEA | 114A | Fundamentals of Acting |
| THEA | 116 | Fundamentals of Collaboration |
Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
Explore:
- The Theatre Department for more information on this major.
