The Certificate in the Liberal and Creative Arts includes 24 - 30 units: 9 - 14 units in required courses and 15 - 16 units from elective courses. Under guidance of the program coordinator, students choose classes with at least one from each of the four elective categories below. A fifth course is chosen to provide a total of 15 - 16 elective units. Course substitution requests will be evaluated by the certificate coordinator.
Required Courses (9 - 14 Units)
| Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Title | Prerequisite | GE Area | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM or ENG |
150 or 210 |
Fundamental of Oral Communication or Oral Communication – Multilingual |
none none |
A1 or A1 |
3 |
| ENG | 114 or 104 & 105 or 201 & 202 or 209 |
Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice or Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice Stretch I & II Writing the First Year: Global Perspectives of Multilingual Speakers Stretch I & II Writing the First Year: Global Perspectives of Multilingual Speakers |
none | A2 | 3 - 8 |
| PHIL | 110 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | none | A3 | 3 |
Elective Courses (15 Units)
Elective Courses - Media Arts
| Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Title | Prerequisite | GE Area | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BECA | 200 | Introduction to Electronic Communication | none | - | 3 |
| BECA | 201 | Life on TV: A Critical View | none | C2 | 3 |
| BECA | 235 | Digital Media Basics | none | C1 | 3 |
| CINE | 102 | Introduction to Contemporary Cinema | none | C1 | 3 |
| DES | 229 | Rethinking Digital Visual Media | none | - | 3 |
| BECA | 301 | Media Literacy in the electronic Culture | A1, A2, A3 and B4, or consent | UD-C | 3 |
| JOUR | 304 | Cultural Diversity and News Media | upper division standing and A2 | - | 3 |
Elective Courses - Humanities
| Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Title | Prerequisite | GE Area | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C W | 101 | Introduction to Creative Writing | none | C1 | 3 |
| CWL | 230 | World Literature | none | C2 | 3 |
| ENG | 250 | Topic in Literature and Culture | none | - | 3 |
| HUM | 130 | The Humanities: Major Works | none | - | 3 |
| HUM | 225 | Values in American Life | none | - | 3 |
| JOUR | 205 | Social Impact of Journalism | none | - | 3 |
| WGS | 200 | Introduction to Women and Gender | none | - | 3 |
| AMST | 410 | California Culture | A1, A2, A3 and B4, or consent | UD-C | 3 |
| CLAR/CLAS | 450 | - | - | - | - |
| HUM | 376 | San Francisco | A1, A2, A3 and B4, or consent | UD-C | 3 |
Elective Courses - Social Sciences
| Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Title | Prerequisite | GE Area | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANTH | 120 | Introduction to Social and cultural Anthropology | none | D1 | 3 |
| HIST | 130 | Survey of US History for Foreign Students | none | D2 | 3 |
| PLSI | 200 | Introduction to American Politics | none | - | 3 |
| I R | 331 | Global Environmental Crisis | upper division standing | ES, GP, SJ | 4 |
| HIST | 450 | History of California | A1, A2, A3, B4 and E, or consent | UD-D, CA Gov. | 3 |
Elective Courses - Creative and Performing Arts
| Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Title | Prerequisite | GE Area | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART | 240 | Introduction to Contemporary Sculpture | none | C1 | 3 |
| ARTH | 202 | Western Art History II | none | C1 | 3 |
| ARTH | 205 | Asian Art History | none | C1 | 3 |
| M S | 202 | Introduction to Museum Exhibits | none | C1 | 3 |
| MUS | 120 | Basic Music | none | C1 | 3 |
| TH A | 130 | Acting Workshop I | none | C1 | 3 |
| TH A | 200 | Introduction to Theatre | none | C1 | 3 |
| CINE/LTNS | 309/409 | Latina/o/x Cinema | A1, A2, A3 and B4, or consent | UD-C | 3 |
| CLAR/ARTH | 425/402 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome | upper division standing or consent | UD-C | 3 |
| DANC | 340 | Dance Aesthetics: Cultural/Historical Perspectives | upper division standing or consent | UD-C | 3 |
This one-unit course introduces new students to the geographic, historical and environmental, socio-cultural and political context of the Bay Area, San Francisco and San Francisco State University. In addition, this course prepares students for success in their transition to living in San Francisco while preparing for life in San Francisco, building community, and learning about the campus and the surrounding area. The course is experiential and includes field trips throughout the city.
The course is optional, in-person/hybrid, and is offered to you free of charge. You are encouraged to take it to learn more about and experience the City of San Francisco. You can sign up when completing your course preference wishlist.
The following CEU classes are not required for the certificate but strongly encouraged enrichment options if you are planning to apply for graduate school, Optional Practical Training (OPT), an internship or a job.
- Graduate School Preparation - Provides students interested in applying for graduate schools the knowledge, skills, practice and confidence needed to prepare competitive graduate school applications and interview well.
- Global Business Communication Skills - Designed to prepare students for a successful job or internship search and the professional skills needed to excel in this internship or job.