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Art - Associate in Fine Arts (150)

The Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) should be pursued by students seeking a professional baccalaureate degree, typically a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in the Studio Arts. This includes but is not limited to: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography, Videography, Animation, Illustration, Graphic Design, and Communication Arts. The AFA does not require completion of all of the associate’s degree general education courses.  AFA students who intend to transfer must work with college advisors and the art program coordinator to plan for successful transfer.

When pursuing an AFA full-time, a student may be able to complete the program in two years.  The AFA student is expected to be in the studio 5 hours per week per class, and will be required to do studio work outside of class time.   A full-time AFA student will be taking 15 to 18 credit hours each fall and spring semesters.   A full-time student who does not complete the AFA degree requirements in sequence may need more than two years to complete the program.  A part-time AFA student will also need to complete the required courses in sequence. 

Illinois colleges and universities offer two different bachelor's degrees in Art: the professional BFA degree and the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in Art. The BFA degree prepares students for graduate school and requires 70 or more semester credits in Art.  Most BFA programs require a portfolio review for admission.

ART - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

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Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

  • Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
  • Glenn S. Bodish, Professor of Art, 815-835-6250

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 65 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

  • Course sequence of general education classes is recommended.
  • Course sequence of ART classes is required for students who wish to complete the AFA full-time in two years.

First Semester - 16 Hours

Course # Course Title Hours
Mathematics 3 Hours
ART101 2-D Design Foundations 3 Hours
ART113 Basic Drawing I 3 Hours
ART120 Prehistoric thru Medieval Art 3 Hours
ENG101 Composition I 3 Hours
FYE101 First Year Experience 1 Hour

 

Second Semester - 18 Hours

Course # Course Title Hours
Social / Behavioral Science 3 Hours
ART102 3-D Design Foundations 3 Hours
ART114 Basic Drawing II 3 Hours
ART121 Renaissance thru Romantic Art 3 Hours
COM131 Intro to Oral Communication 3 Hours
ENG103 Composition II 3 Hours

 

Third Semester - 15-16 Hours

Course # Course Title Hours
* Life Science 3-4 Hours
ART122 Modern Art 3 Hours
ART225 Photography I 3 Hours
ART230 Graphic Design 3 Hours

 

Fourth Semester - 15-16 Hours

Course # Course Title Hours
* Physical Science 3-4 Hours
Social / Behavioral Science 3 Hours
Humanities 3 Hours
ART203 Oil Painting I 3 Hours
ART213 Life Drawing I 3 Hours

 

Footnotes

*   One Lab Science required.


ART 204 Oil Painting II, ART 214 Life Drawing II, or ART 250 Sculpture I may be taken as advanced ART class substitutions. These classes are not offered regularly in the course sequence and enrollment requires ART program director approval.