Apr 27, 2026

FIRST DRAFT 2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Creative Arts, Creative Arts Therapy Studies Concentration, BA (Pending Chancellor’s Office Approval)

This program is pending Chancellor’s Office approval.

The Creative Arts, Creative Arts Therapy Studies Concentration, BA degree offered by the Department of Humanities, provides a preparatory pathway toward professional training in Arts Therapy. As part of the oldest interdisciplinary arts program in the CSU (since 1956), this concentration emphasizes the integration of studies in the arts and wellness with a minor in Psychology. Students explore therapeutic applications of the arts, with a focus on developing skills in the visual arts. The program supports those interested in careers in arts, health, and community practice. It also prepares students for graduate study in arts therapy or counseling fields.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

The following Required Major courses must be completed with a grade of “C- or better”: CA 101 , CA 172 , CA 173 , CA 175 , CA 178 , CA 190 , and CA 194 .

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3B, 4, UD 3, UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) (3 units)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures
Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements including exemptions and waivers, are approved for specific majors and on a case-by-case evaluation only.

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division GE: 28

6 required units of American Institutions/US123 may be satisfied by selecting applicable GE courses in Areas 3B and/or 4

Upper Division GE: 3 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework: UD Areas 3, 4)

Physical Education: 2

GWAR / WID: 0 (3 units may be satisfied by HUM 100W )

Lower Division Humanities & the Arts College Requirement: 3

Upper Division Humanities & the Arts College Requirement: 2-4

Major Preparation: 21

Major Requirements: 45

University Electives: 8-10

Total: 120

2. Lower Division College of Humanities & the Arts Requirement (3 units)

Complete one course from:

ART 44HA - Design Your Life, Design Your Semester, Design Your World 3 unit(s)
DSGN 44HA - Design Your Life, Design Your Semester, Design Your World 3 unit(s)
ENGL 44HA - Design Your Life, Design Your Semester, Design Your World 3 unit(s)
HUM 44HA - Design Your Life, Design Your Semester, Design Your World 3 unit(s)
PHIL 44HA - Design Your Life, Design Your Semester, Design Your World 3 unit(s)

3. Upper Division College of Humanities & the Arts Requirement (2-4 units):

Complete any one course offered by the College of Humanities & the Arts in a discipline other than your major.

4. Major Preparation (21 units)

HUM 100W - Writing in the Humanities & Interdisciplinary Arts 3 unit(s) (WID)

Psychology Minor (18 units)

Students can take any Psychology electives that count towards the Minor.
Recommended:

PSYC 102 - Psychology of Childhood 3 unit(s) OR
PSYC 112 - Psychology of Adolescence
3 unit(s) OR
PSYC 114 - Psychology of Aging
3 unit(s)
PSYC 110 - Adult Psychopathology 3 unit(s) OR
PSYC 142 - Child Psychopathology
3 unit(s)
PSYC 139 - Psychology of Personality 3 unit(s)
PSYC 145 - Community Mental Health 3 unit(s)

5. Major Requirements (45 units)

To qualify for a baccalaureate in Creative Arts, a grade of “C-” (1.7) or better is required in each of the following courses:

Lower Division Courses (3 units)

CA 60 - Creativity Matters 3 unit(s)

Activity or Studio Courses (12 units)

Six units of activity or studio courses in visual or performing arts or creative writing listed below or approved by the CAP Advisor.

ART 12 - Two-Dimensional Design and Color Concepts 3 unit(s)
ART 13 - Three-Dimensional Design Concepts 3 unit(s)
ART 24 - Drawing I 3 unit(s)
ART 26 - Drawing II 3 unit(s)
ART 46 - Introduction to Ceramics 3 unit(s)
ART 61 - Beginning Painting 3 unit(s)
ART 68 - Beginning Sculpture: Object & Concept 3 unit(s)
ENGL 71 - Creative Writing 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3A / Formerly Area C1)

Upper Division Elective Courses (9 units)

ART 132 - Topics in Intermediate Ceramics 3 unit(s)
ART 158 - Topics in Drawing III 3 unit(s)
ART 162 - Watercolor 3 unit(s)
ART 164 - Intermediate Painting 3 unit(s)
TA 131 - Storytelling 3 unit(s)

Creative Arts Courses (21 units)

CA 101 - Creative Arts and Wellness 3 unit(s)
CA 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area 4 / Formerly Area S)
CA 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area 3 / Formerly Area V)
CA 175 - Seminar in Creative Process 3 unit(s)
CA 178 - Senior Seminar in Creative Arts 3 unit(s)
CA 190 - Field Work/Internship 1-3 unit(s) (CA Elective)
CA 194 - Community Building through Arts Orgs 3 unit(s)

About