Fall 2025 Transfer Major-Specific Degree Requirements - College of the Arts (COTA)

These criteria will be used for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 transfer admission consideration only.
Admission criteria are subject to change for future admission cycles. See  to determine the courses offered at California institutions which will satisfy the specific course requirements.

Admission to all majors at ºÚÁÏÍø is competitive because ºÚÁÏÍø 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 ºÚÁÏÍø requirements must complete them during their first year at ºÚÁÏÍø.

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 ºÚÁÏÍø 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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required)Course NumberCourse Title
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART251AIntroduction to Ceramic Arts: Handbuilding
ART251BIntroduction to Ceramic Arts: Wheel Throwing

Explore:

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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required)Course NumberCourse Title
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART184Foundation Life Drawing
ART287Introduction to Painting

Explore:

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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required)Course NumberCourse Title
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART241Introduction to Photography

​Explore:

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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required)Course NumberCourse Title
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART184Foundation Life Drawing
ART241 or 287Intro Studio: Photography - Digital or Intro Studio: Painting
ART270Intro Studio: Printmaking

​Explore:

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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required)Course NumberCourse Title
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART261Introduction to Life Sculptures: From the Figure to the Body
ART263Introduction to Sculpture/4D

​Explore:

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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Transfer Applicants Only
Additional recommended preparation for Transfer Applicants Only (grade of C or better required)Course NumberCourse Title
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART263Introduction to Sculpture/4D
ART287Introduction 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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART223Introduction to Typography

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

Explore:

  • ​T³ó±ð&²Ô²ú²õ±è;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 NumberCourse Title
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

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 NumberCourse Title
Take two of the following:  
ART HISTORY111AFoundation Art History: Prehistory-c. 1500, Middle East, North Africa, Europe
ART HISTORY111BFoundation Art History: c.1300-present, Europe and the United States
ART HISTORY111CFoundation Art History: Latin American Arts and Architecture  
ART HISTORY111DFoundation Art History: Asia, Early Sacred Cultures 
ART HISTORY111EFoundation Art History: Asia, Later Traditions
ART HISTORY111FFoundation Art History: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America 
ART HISTORY111GFoundation Art History: Arts of Islamic Religion
   
Take two of the following:  
ART130Foundation Two - Dimensional
ART131Foundation Three - Dimensional
ART132Foundation Color Theory
ART150Foundation Transdisciplinary Practice
ART181Foundation Drawing
ART241Intro Studio: Photography - Digital
ART251AIntro Studio: Ceramic Arts - Hand-building
ART251BIntro Studio: Ceramic Arts - Wheel-throwing
ART257Intro Studio: Metals
ART261Intro Studio: Sculpture - Life
ART263Intro Studio: Sculpture - Beginning
ART270Intro Studio: Printmaking

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

Explore:

Cinematic Arts, B.A. 

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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
Complete at least three of the following six courses:   
CINE101Understanding Film
CINE201Film History I: Origins to 1960
CINE202Film History II: 1960 to Present
CINE207Introduction to Screenwriting
CINE210Sight, Sound & Story
CINE220The Visual Story

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
NONEN/AN/A

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

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 NumberCourse Title
BIOL207Human Physiology
BIOL208Human Anatomy
PSY100General Psychology

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

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 2.5Course NumberCourse Title
DESN120AFundamentals of Design 
DESN120BFundamentals of Design 

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

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 2.5Course NumberCourse Title
DESN120AFundamentals of Design 
DESN120BFundamentals of Design 

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
NONEN/AN/A

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

Explore:

  •  The  for more information on this major.

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 NumberCourse Title
THEA114AFundamentals of Acting

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

Explore: