SJSU Catalog

Art and Design

Introduction

San José State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The art and design curricula honor diversity and aspire to high levels of productivity and creativity. The principal fields of study include animation/illustration, art history and visual culture, design, and studio art. The curricula leading to undergraduate degree options within these programs provide opportunity for both general and specialized study. The time required to complete a degree varies with the different options; a full-time student should allow at least four years for the BA degree and at least four and one-half years for the BS and BFA degrees.

The Art Program offers liberal arts and professional undergraduate studies in a wide variety of disciplines. The program in Art History and Visual Culture is designed to begin the preparation of the professional college and university teachers, research personnel, museum curators, conservators and librarians specializing in art history and visual culture.

The Art Education Program is designed to provide practicing teachers with opportunities to work with university faculty and other art professionals in order to increase their skills and knowledge in both art and education.

The Design area is divided into three programs: graphic design, interior design and industrial design. A liberal arts, BA in Design Studies is also available. Admission is restricted and successful applicants must be capable of original work that draws upon the multidisciplinary offerings of the university.

The MA - Art Program is designed to increase the artistic growth of the candidate and to provide the basis for further study through two emphases: art education and art history.

The MA Art, Concentration in Art History and Visual Culture is designed to prepare community college teachers, museum staff, and students pursuing Ph.D. degree or independent scholarship.

The MFA - Art is a highly selective program that provides professional training and education for artists in pictorial arts (painting, drawing, printmaking), spatial arts (sculpture, ceramics, glass, metals, performance installations and fiber), photography, or digital media art, and prepares artists and college and university teachers in these areas.

All programs are supported and enriched by a diverse schedule of exhibitions in the school galleries (the Natalie and James Thompson Gallery and eight student galleries) as well as weekly public lectures. Exhibitions present contemporary and historical art, as well as work by faculty and students.