College of Liberal Arts - San Luis Obispo Guide

The College of Liberal Arts at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is one of the most expansive and diverse colleges on the campus, and touches the educational program of nearly every student.

Their degree programs span the spectrum from humanities to communications, graphic and performing arts, philosophy, Psychology, and World Languages.

Students of the college graduate with the necessary tools to thrive in a complex, multicultural world where they continue to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.

Departments & Degrees | Expressive Technology Studios | Contact Information

Departments & Degrees

The College of Liberal Arts houses 19 departments, each with their own unique blend of majors, minors, and masters programs. Below is a summary of each department and the degrees awarded.

Art and Design

Bachelor of Fine Art, Art and Design
Minor, Art History
Minor, Photography and Video
Minor, Studio Art

Communication Studies

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies
Minor, Communication Studies

English

Bachelor of Arts, English
Minor, English
Minor, Linguistics
Certificate, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Certificate, Technical and Professional Communication
Master of Arts, English

Ethnic Studies

Bachelor of Arts, Comparative Ethnic Studies
Minor, Ethnic Studies
Minor, Indigenous Studies in Natural Resources and the Environment

Graphic Communication

Bachelor of Science, Graphic Communication
Minor, Graphic Communication
Professional Certificate in Printed Electronics and Functional Imaging

History

Bachelor of Arts, history
Minor, Asian Studies
Minor, History
Master of Arts, History

Interdisciplinary Studies

Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

Philosophy

Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy
Minor, Philosophy
Minor, Religious Studies

Political Science

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Minor, Global Politics
Minor, Law and Society
Minor, Political Science
Master of Public Policy

Psychology and Child Development

Bachelor of Science, Child Development
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Minor, Psychology
Minor, Child Development
Minor, Gerontology
Master of Science, Psychology

Science, Technology, and Society

Minor, Ethics, Public Policy, Science and Technology (EPPST)
Minor, Gender, Race, Culture, Science and Technology (GRCST)
Minor, Media Arts, Society and Technology (MAST)
Minor, Science and Risk Communication (SRC)

Social Science

Bachelor of Science, Anthropology and Geography
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Minor, Anthropology and Geography
Minor, Latin American Studies
Minor, Sociology

Theater and Dance

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts
Minor, Dance
Minor, Theatre Arts

Western Intellectual Tradition

Minor, Western Intellectual Tradition

Women’s and Gender Studies

Minor, Women’s and Gender Studies
Minor, Queer Studies

World Languages and Cultures

Bachelor of Arts, Spanish
Minor, French
Minor, German
Minor, Italian
Minor, Spanish

Expressive Technology Studios

Cal Poly held a groundbreaking ceremony for their Expressive Technology Studios on May 3, 2019, a 3,500 square foot facility that will house state-of-the art equipment and technology for students of the college.

The Expressive Technology Studios will also house an outdoor courtyard and amphitheater; immersive sound studio; editing bays; digital effects computer studio; and an immersive sound studio.

The studio is expected to open in 2021, and naming opportunities are still available in support of the college and the studio. For more information contact the Director of Advancement, Jacquelyn Hayes, at jnhayes@calpoly.edu or call (805) 756-7052.