Overview

The Art History BA program offered at San Francisco State University takes advantage of the Bay Area's rich cultural resources, galleries, and museums. Students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge of the field through an internship.

The art history major prepares students for many kinds of careers, including administrative or curatorial positions in museums, galleries, and auction houses, writing editorial positions, or for graduate school in art history, museum/curatorial studies, or conservation.

Programs Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in Art with a Concentration in Art History, students will:

Gain breadth and depth of knowledge of art history globally: identify major artists, works, movements; define key terms, concepts, and theories; and understand diverse historical, social, political, cultural, and ideological perspectives.

Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, formal analysis, and visual literacy to interpret and evaluate the meaning of art and visual culture.

Gain verbal expression and oral presentation skills in both informal discussion and formal context.

Become proficient in writing and research skills in both informal discussion and formal contexts.

Understand and apply art historical methodology and theoretical models.

Show evidence of curiosity, risk-taking, experimentation, problem-solving, collaboration, and compassion in class discussion, small group work, and research/writing.

Understand the ethical dimension of artistic practice and scholarship within a global context and in relationship to the dynamics of power—including those of class, gender, race, and geopolitics—as expressed through visual, spatial, institutional, and ideological practices.

Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of artistic practice and process, and be able to draw on such knowledge in the interpretation of works of art, as well as to enrich their research and scholarly process.

Career paths

Opportunities for the graduate with a bachelor’s degree in art vary depending on the student’s initiative and inclinations. Students dedicated to creative expression in art practice, or scholarly research in the history of art, may elect to pursue graduate education. Others may find opportunities for technical or on-the-job training in related fields.
A course in exhibition design is offered in the professional environment of the Fine Arts Gallery and provides intense, practical, and theoretical training for gallery and art museum careers. Art and art history students with an interest in working with visual artifacts, and with the diverse professional aspects of presenting art and artists elect courses in this popular area.
Graduate degrees open the door to teaching positions at the college-university level. Students who elect to pursue careers outside the arts may find access to more rewarding cultural life experiences through their visual arts education.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Western Art History

Asian Art History

Digital Media Arts

Textile Art

Drawing

Printmaking

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Francisco, United States

Disciplines

Art History View 855 other Bachelors in Art History in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Complete and submit the CSU Application

Students will be required to submit official, original or certified/attested copies of all original academic documents in the original language of issue

Applicants who are presently attending a college or university in the United States must, in addition to their international records, submit official transcripts of all work completed and in progress

Applicants must be qualified to enter a university in their home country and have a good scholastic record from an accredited/recognized school

All applicants for admission to the University must pay a $55.00 application fee

English language proficiency

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

8256 USD / year

≈ 8256 USD / year
Out-of-State

8256 USD / year

≈ 8256 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8256 USD / year

≈ 8256 USD / year

Additional Details

Out-of-State and International students must pay $444.00 PER UNIT in addition to the tuition fees

Living costs

San Francisco

United States

2206 - 4119 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Art History.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programs Learning Outcomes

Career paths

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

San Francisco

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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