The School of the Arts in the College of Arts and Letters prepares majors for careers in the visual and performing arts in an increasingly diverse and technological world. The School is simultaneously committed to improving the quality of life for the people of California and to providing non-majors with an understanding of the vital role of the arts in society.

By offering degrees linked to the liberal arts, education, and professional careers, the School of the Arts encourages creativity and enriches the community of the Greater Sacramento Area and its surrounding region. An appreciation and understanding for lifelong learning in the arts are outcomes expected of both professionally oriented programs and introductory courses serving our liberal arts environment. Arts curricula provide a basis for aesthetic decisions and awareness of each discipline's history.

The School of the Arts includes four departments: Art, Design, Music, and Theatre and Dance. Degrees offered include the Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, Interior Design, Music, and Theatre Arts, and the Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. The Music Department also offers the Bachelor of Music, which allows students to specialize in one of several instruments or composition.