Undergraduate Programs
BA in Art History
The BA in Art History at San Diego State University offers a rigorous and expansive study of global art and visual culture, including architecture, craft, and design. Situated on the US-Mexico border and the Pacific Rim, the program foregrounds the art of the Americas, Asia, and the Asian diaspora, while also offering sustained engagement with the arts of the African diaspora and Europe. Students work closely with full- and part-time faculty specialists and take courses spanning diverse periods and geographies across varied styles, media, and thematic concerns.
Grounded in the region’s cultural contexts, the curriculum emphasizes critical art historical methods that engage social and political histories, with particular attention to how art and visual culture are imbricated in the politics of transnational exchange, gender, and decolonial and postcolonial formations, among other concerns. The program prepares majors for careers in museums, galleries, arts organizations, and related fields, as well as for advanced graduate study. Students also benefit from internship and study abroad opportunities, and strong connections to San Diego’s vibrant cultural institutions.
BA in Interior and Architectural Design
Look closely at the spaces around you: they influence how communities gather, how learning shapes, and how culture is expressed. The BA in Interior and Architectural Design program prepares you to create these environments with imagination, technical skills, and a sense of responsibility. Through studio practice and coursework, you will explore space, form, material, and texture while engaging with the cultural, social, and environmental contexts that inform design thinking and the design process.
The curriculum combines creative exploration with professional training. You will establish strong foundations in drawing, visualization, critical thinking, human-centered design, and material specification, and develop fluency in industry-standard software, including CAD, 3D modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM), graphics, and rendering tools. You will also engage with emerging technologies, including augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence (AI), digital fabrication, and computational design, supported by hands-on access to fabrication labs equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and other advanced tools.
Collaboration and critique define our studio culture, strengthened by undergraduate research opportunities supported by SDSU’s R-1 research infrastructure. Faculty bring diverse professional and interdisciplinary research expertise, mentoring students through design projects spanning residential, commercial, cultural, educational, and civic spaces, and beyond. The program highlights design as a force for innovation and social good, encouraging students to create environments that are inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking.
BA in Interactive Media and Graphic Design
The BA in Interactive Media and Graphic Design (Integrated Design) at San Diego State University offers a rigorous and forward-looking study of visual communication across graphic design and multimedia. The program prepares students to plan and produce work for specific audiences and contexts, foregrounding design as both a professional practice and a critical cultural form. Students engage emerging technologies, interactive media, and publication practices while examining how design operates within social, political, and global frameworks.
Working closely with faculty whose expertise spans interactive media, digital art, socially engaged design, and professional client-based practice, students develop a sustained body of original work across diverse platforms and formats. Grounded in critical inquiry and real-world application, the curriculum emphasizes both conceptual depth and technical proficiency. The program prepares graduates for careers in design, media, and related creative industries, supported by comprehensive facilities and strong connections to San Diego’s dynamic creative community.
Students benefit from an active AIGA SDSU/Tijuana student group, which provides opportunities for professional development, networking, workshops, and engagement with the broader design community.
BA in Studio Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art prepares you for real-world opportunities in today’s creative industries. Whether you’re interested in becoming a professional artist, designer, fabricator, or pursuing graduate studies, this program gives you the technical skills, critical thinking abilities, and hands-on experience to build a sustainable creative career.
You’ll work closely with faculty, who are professionally active artists and designers, bringing current industry knowledge directly into the classroom. Through guided studio practice and independent exploration, you’ll develop portfolio-ready work while gaining skills in areas such as:
- Ceramics
- Furniture Design and Woodworking
- Jewelry and Metalwork
- Painting and Printmaking
- Photography
- Sculpture
Our fully equipped fabrication studios give you the tools and space to experiment, collaborate, and refine your craft. The program is further enriched by a robust visiting artist program that brings nationally and internationally recognized artists, designers, and scholars to campus for lectures, critiques, workshops, and studio visits. These exchanges expose students to a broad range of contemporary perspectives and provide valuable opportunities for networking and dialogue with leading practitioners in the field.
