Studio Art AFA Statewide Program
Our studio art AFA degree provides an intensive art school experience to prepare you for a BFA program at a prestigious four-year school.
During the first year of the program, you will take core studio courses in drawing (Introduction to Drawing, Intermediate Drawing and Figure Drawing I), and 2-D and 3-D design, that mirrors the first-year experience at an art school.
Montgomery College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
In your second year of the degree, you will focus studies on studio art classes and prepare for transfer to premier art colleges across the US. Studio art majors study drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
Graduates of the program continue their study in many areas including fine art, graphic design, web page design, curating, art education, advertising, fashion design, and interior design. Administrators, faculty, and staff can answer your questions and help guide you along the path toward your goals. Our primary concern is to help you reach your highest potential.
Enroll at MC and set your sights on a successful career in the visual arts.
The Studio Art AFA is a designated statewide program. The Maryland Higher Education Commission designates some community college programs as statewide programs. A student may enroll in any of these programs at the same rates as in-county residents if the program is not offered by their local community college or if the student cannot enroll due to an enrollment limit. For more information on statewide programs, please see Curricula Informationnew windownew window.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate visual problem solving capability.
- Utilize foundational skills and demonstrate competency in a range of art media and techniques.
- Demonstrate comprehension of art with a historical and contemporary context.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer.
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. For students pursuing this AFA degree, there is a transfer agreement with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Students may also choose to pursue the art AA degree or the general studies degree. The choice depends on which degree most closely aligns with a four-year school’s lower level requirements. Work with a counselor or advisor as you make your decision. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
Employment of arts and design occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2016 to 2026. More workers will be needed to meet the growing demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, television, and on mobile devices, as well as to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites and other media platforms.
- Career Outlook for artists and designersnew window: Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- MC Career Services: Planning and support for MC students and alumni.
- Career Coach: Explore hundreds of potential careers and job possibilities.
Curriculum
A suggested two-year course sequence for students in Studio Art follows
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
All students should review the Program Advising Guide€‹ and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)
- ARTT 100 - Introduction to Drawing 3 semester hours (ARTD)
- ARTT 102 - Introduction to 2D Design 3 semester hours (GEEL)
- ARTT 116 - Digital Tools for the Visual Arts 4 semester hours
Second Semester
- ENGL 102 - Critical Reading, Writing, and Research 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- ARTT 205 - Figure Drawing I 3 semester hours
-
OR
- ARTT 204 - Intermediate Drawing 3 semester hours
- ARTT 200 - Art History: Ancient to 1400 3 semester hours
- ARTT 103 - Introduction to 3D Design 3 semester hours
- ARTT 201 - Art History: 1400 to Present 3 semester hours
Third Semester
- ARTT 263 - Professional Practice for the Visual Artist 1 semester hour
- ARTT 211 - Painting I 3 semester hours
- ARTT 221 - Sculpture I 3 semester hours
- ARTT 152 - Photographic Expression I 3 semester hours
-
OR
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ‡‡
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ‡
Fourth Semester
- Humanities Distribution3 semester hours (HUMD)
- Program Art Elective 3 semester hours ‡‡‡
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution3 semester hours(BSSD)
- Program Art Elective 3 semester hours ‡‡‡
- Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab 4semester hours(NSLD)
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A, if needed for ENGL 102/ENGL 103, or art elective.
‡ Program craft electives: ARTT 120, ARTT 123, ARTT 245, or ARTT 247.
‡‡ Program printmaking electives: ARTT 225, ARTT 226, ARTT 227, ARTT 228, ARTT 230, or ARTT 233.
‡‡‡ Program art electives: Select any ARTT, GDES 134, GDES 210, or GDES 220.
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Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.
