Advising

School of Art + Design Advising Information

Advising Contacts

For academic advising, you are welcome to visit, email, or call one of the following advisors during their office hours.

IMPORTANT: Before contacting your advisor, make sure to review the course requirements in the SDSU Undergraduate Catalog. You may also email us directly, at artinfo@mail.sdsu.edu.

Main Office Info

  • Office: Art North building – Room ARTN 505
  • Email: artinfo@mail.sdsu.edu

    • Hours:

    Monday – Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm

Undergraduate Advisor

  • Office: Art North building – Room ARTN 509
  • Phone: (619) 594-2850
  • Email: art.advising@sdsu.edu

    • Hours:

    Hours are posted on the room 509.
    *Please bring a current Degree Evaluation to in-person visits.

Graduate Advisor

  • Office: Art South building – Room ARTN 576
  • Phone: (619) 594-6101
  • Email: artgrad@sdsu.edu

    • Hours:

    Office hours are posted on the room 576

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I change my major from pre-major to major? ( Check your catalog year for impaction criteria)

  1. Complete Art 100, 101, 103, 104, 258 and 259 with a C or better (or for Art History, complete Art 100, 101, 258 and 259 with a C or better)
  2. Have a GPA of 3.0 for graphic design, 2.75 for multimedia majors and 2.5 for all other art majors and art history.
  3. Provide documentation that you have met the above criteria, a degree evaluation and/or unofficial transcripts.
  4. Fill out an application which can be found in the School of Art and Design office Art-505 or the Art Advising office Art-509.
  5. Fill out and Declaration of Undergraduate Change or major or minor form, also found School of Art and Design office Art-505 or the Art Advising office Art-509.
  6. Bring all the above documentation and forms to the School of Art and Design office Art-505 or the Art Advising office Art-509.

Do I need a C or better in each class I take?

  • No, You need a C or better in classes that require a C or better as a pre-requisite or to satisfy the requirement to get into the major. Art 100, 101, 103, 104, 258, 259, 241, are some classes in which you need a C or better.

How do I get into the pre-major?

  1. Fill out and Declaration of Undergraduate Change of Major or Minor form, also found School of Art and Design office A-505 or the Art Advising office Art-509.
  2. Bring the form to the School of Art and Design office Art-505 or the Art Advising office Art-509.

Do I need to finish the preparation for the major (the lower division requirements) before taking upper division or major classes?

  • It depends on the class in which you wish to enroll. In some cases, as long as you have the prerequisites completed, you may take upper division classes. In other cases, you need to be declared as a major before taking upper division major courses. Check the footnotes in the class schedule to find any restrictions.

Am I required to take prerequsite classes?

  • Yes, students must satisfy course prerequisites (or their equivalent) prior to beginning the course that requires them.

Can I take a prerequiste for a class and the class at the same time.

  • No.

Is there a foreign language requirement for art majors.

  • There is a foreign language requirement if you are a Studio Arts emphasis or an Art History emphasis, but not for the other Art and Design emphasis areas.

Does the School have a photography major emphasis?

  • We do not offer an emphasis in Photography but we do offer Photography classes in the Multimedia and Painting/Printmaking areas. Photography classes include: Art 340, 440, 540, 407, 408 and 409.

Is a D- considered a passing grade?

  • Yes (but in a prerequisite course, you need a C or better in most cases)

Within the School of Art and Design, can I major on one emphasis and minor in another?

  • All emphases in the School of Art and Design (except Art History) are considered the same major, Art, so you cannot major and minor in the same subject. Interdiscplinary studies are encouraged and it is possible to study in multiple emphasis areas. See an advisor regarding your academic plan. Courses of study can be customized. It is possible to major in a studio art emphasis and minor in Art History and vice versa.

As an entering Freshman, am I required to have a computer?

  • No, in fact there are multiple state-of-the-art computer labs available to students.

What happens if I stop attending a class and do not drop?

  • You will get “WU” grade as unauthorized withdrawal which is equal to an F. If you are having trouble in a class, see the instructor or advisor as soon as possible.

How many hours per week outside of class should I plan for each three unit class?

  • Six to nine hours.