Would you be willing to complete a brief survey about our catalog system?

Start Survey
Close Button
Current Students - Please be sure to select the appropriate catalog.Current Students Notes
Apply Now Request Information Schedule a Visit

Fine Arts - Art Option

Program Codes: ART.AFA
Associate in Fine Arts Degree

Explore careers, salaries, and local job opportunities >

The Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) offers the first two years of concentrated study in studio courses for students planning to transfer to a visual arts, theatre, or music baccalaureate program. As a fine arts major, the student may choose to concentrate in either theater, art or music.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Program will be able to:

  • Define the basic art elements and apply these fundamentals to demonstrate strong foundational knowledge of Fine Arts techniques and materials.
  • Recognize works of art from various historical periods and styles and identify the artists that produced them.
  • Critique works of art demonstrating critical and visual thinking skills and synthesize and implement this information in individual artistic production.
  • Synthesize art historical influences and personal experience in the creation of work of art and develop awareness of the roles of tradition and experimentation in artmaking.
  • Produce a portfolio of artwork in preparation for transfer to a four-year BFA program in a university or art school setting.
Contact the Department Chairperson

Recommended Course Sequence

Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisites and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.

SEMESTER I

Art Fundamentals: Two Dimensions
Course Code:
ART-145
Course Description:

A studio course to explore two-dimensional concepts and develop visual thinking in relation to various fine arts areas such as drawing and painting. Open to non-art majors as an elective. Required of art majors.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
lab: 2 Hours, Lecture: 2 Hours
x
ART-145
Art Fundamentals: Two Dimensions
3
Art History: Ancient to Renaissance
Course Code:
ART-123
Course Group(s):
GE HUM
Course Description:

Examines developments in painting, sculpture and architecture from prehistory to the High Renaissance in Western art. Significant periods emphasized through slides and films. Field trips required.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
ART-123
Art History: Ancient to Renaissance
3
Drawing
Course Code:
ART-109
Course Description:

A workshop and lecture course exploring media, concepts and techniques of drawing. Skill in representing objects, landscape, human and imaginative form is approached through practice and the examination of the works of previous and present day artists. Individual criticism aimed at personal growth of artistic ability and insight. Outside assignments to be reviewed by instructor. Field trips required.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
ART-109
Drawing
3

OR

Figure Drawing
Course Code:
ART-110
Course Description:

Practice combining nature and the imagination is directed toward exploring form and developing the basic techniques of drawing the undraped figure. Field trips required.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
ART-110
Figure Drawing
3
English Composition I
Course Code:
ENG-121
Course Group(s):
GE COM
Course Description:

Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

A passing score on the College Placement Test; or a grade of "C" or better in ENG-010 and RDG-011 (RDG-011 can be a co-requisite; or a grade of "C" or better in ESL-097 and ESL-098.

Corequisites:

RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.

x
ENG-121
English Composition I
3
GE Social Science Elective
Course Code:
GE SS
Credit:
3
x
__ __
GE Social Science Elective
3

Choose three credits from courses designated in the course descriptions as GE SS.

SEMESTER 2

Art Fundamentals: Three Dimensions
Course Code:
ART-146
Course Description:

A studio course to explore three-dimensional design concepts and develop visual thinking in relation to various fine arts areas such as sculpture and ceramics. Mixed media - the interaction of two-and-three-dimensional concepts - is explored. Open to non-art majors as an elective. Required of art majors.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
lab: 2 Hours, Lecture: 2 Hours
x
ART-146
Art Fundamentals: Three Dimensions
3
Art History: Renaissance to Modern
Course Code:
ART-124
Course Group(s):
GE HUM
Course Description:

Examines developments in painting, sculpture and architecture from the High Renaissance to the twentieth century in Western art. Significant artists and their contributions to techniques. Field trips required.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
ART-124
Art History: Renaissance to Modern
3
English Composition II
Course Code:
ENG-122
Course Group(s):
GE COM
Course Description:
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121

x
ENG-122
English Composition II
3
GE Mathematics or Science Elective
Course Code:
GE MathSci
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
GE Mathematics or Science Elective
3

Choose one 3-credit Mathematics or Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).

GE Humanities Elective
Course Code:
HUM-EL2
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
GE Humanities Elective
3

Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).

SEMESTER 3

Art Portfolio Workshop
Course Code:
ART-148
Course Description:

Student art work is developed and expanded into a coherent portfolio. The course focuses on the preparation of a body of work for presentation in a professional manner and for effective transfer to senior institutions. Issues of quality, range of style and techniques, and methods of representing work in a critical setting are addressed. Field trip required.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 1 Hours
Prerequisites:

One or more three-credit studio art courses or written permission of the department chairperson

x
ART-148
Art Portfolio Workshop
1

Offered in the Fall semester only.

Art Elective
Course Code:
ART-EL1
Credit:
3
x
__ __
Art Elective
3

Select an Art Elective from the following:

ART-221 - Painting: Traditional

ART-222 - Painting: Contemporary

ART-223 - Sculpture: Traditional

ART-224 - Sculpture: Contemporary

History of Western Civilization I
Course Code:
HIS-121
Course Group(s):
GE HIS, GE HUM
Course Description:
The historical development of Western civilization from ancient times to approximately 1715 A.D. Emphasis is on the social, economic, political and cultural forces that helped to shape the West, beginning with the early Mediterranean civilizations and following through to the subsequent rise of European civilization.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
lab, Lecture: 3 Hours
x
HIS-121
History of Western Civilization I
3
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Course Code:
SPE-121
Course Group(s):
GE COM
Course Description:
Introduction to the theory and practice of public address; the study of representative public addresses and the preparation and delivery of short speeches.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
lab, Lecture: 3 Hours
x
SPE-121
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
3
Art Elective
Course Code:
ART-EL1
Credit:
3
x
__ __
Art Elective
3

Select a 3-credit course from the subject ART.

Computer Applications and Systems
Course Code:
CSC-105
Course Group(s):
GE MST
Course Description:

This course defines computers and computer applications and their use in business, industry and government. Students completing this course will be computer fluent. Students will understand the capabilities and limitations of computers and know how to use them. In addition, students will understand computers and their ethical, legal and societal implications. Topics include the history of computers, hardware devices, software programs, terminology, privacy of information, ethical behavior and the influence of computers on people and society. Hands-on experience includes: using a Windows operating system, a word processor, designing and implementing spreadsheets and producing presentations. This course is recommended for anyone who will be involved with computers and the use of computer application software.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
CSC-105
Computer Applications and Systems
3

SEMESTER 4

Art Studio Seminar
Course Code:
ART-149
Course Description:

Art studio issues are addressed as they relate to the artist in contemporary society. The motivations, relevance and the nature of art-making in American and global culture are investigated. The creation of subject matter for artistic expression that is personally meaningful is placed in a larger aesthetic context. The conceptual links among all the visual arts are explored. Field trip required.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 1 Hours
Prerequisites:

One or more three-credit studio art courses or written permission of the department chairperson and Counseling and Career Services Office

x
ART-149
Art Studio Seminar
1

Offered in the Spring semester only.

Art Elective
Course Code:
ART-EL1
Credit:
3
x
__ __
Art Elective
3

Select a 3-credit course from the subject ART.

GE Diversity Elective
Course Code:
DVR-EL1
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
GE Diversity Elective
3

Select a course designated in the course descriptions as a GE DIV.

History of Western Civilization II
Course Code:
HIS-122
Course Group(s):
GE HIS, GE HUM
Course Description:
Europe and the world since 1715. Emphasis is on the emerging nation-state political system, the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century, and intellectual history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the rise of totalitarianism in the twentieth century and the world balance of power since 1914.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
lab, Lecture: 3 Hours
x
HIS-122
History of Western Civilization II
3

OR

Art History: Modern and Contemporary
Course Code:
ART-125
Course Group(s):
GE HUM
Course Description:

Examines developments in painting, sculpture and architecture in Western Art since the Industrial Revolution to the present day via major styles, movements and significant artists. Field trips required.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
ART-125
Art History: Modern and Contemporary
3
Art Elective
Course Code:
ART-EL1
Credit:
3
x
__ __
Art Elective
3

Select a 3-credit course from the subject ART.

Physical Education Elective
Course Code:
PED-EL1
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
Physical Education Elective
1

Select a 1-credit PED course.

Total Credits 60

Contact Information

Visual, Performing and Media Arts

Contact Name: Annie Hogan, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2589
Contact Email:  ahogan@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web:https://www.middlesexcc.edu/vpma/


Frequently Asked Questions

What will students learn if they study Fine Arts?

Fine arts will provide a strong foundation in the creative field of choice as well as a well-rounded education with a generous range of liberal arts courses required by baccalaureate fine arts programs. Students create a body of work or enhance skills in a chosen field in ways that will assist them in being accepted into a competitive fine arts program at a four-year institution.

Are there any requirements that must be satisfied before taking courses in the major?

Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Algebra I competency may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or completion of the appropriate course.

How long will it take to complete this degree?

Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.

Related Programs

MUS.AFA

Fine Arts - Music Option
60

THE.AFA

Fine Arts - Theatre Option
60

Degree Apply Now Apply Now Request Information M C C Request Information Schedule a Visit M C C Schedule a Visit
Menu
Degrees & Certificates
A-Z By Category By Department By Area of Interest
Course Descriptions
By Course Code (A-Z) By Department
General Information
Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Accreditation Academic Calendar Address, Foreword and Leadership Affirmative Action and Compliance Statement Diversity Statement Mission, Values Statement, Institutional Goals and Strategic Initiatives
The College In Brief
College Activity Hours College Assembly College Governance Middlesex College Alumni Association Middlesex College Foundation
Community Outreach
Career Training Center Child Care Center & Kindergarten Programs Community Engaged Learning Democracy House New Brunswick Center Off-Campus Course Offerings Office of K-12 Partnerships Perth Amboy Center The Holocaust and Human Rights Center at Middlesex College Workforce Development Program
Continuing Education
Career Training Center Child Care Center & Kindergarten Programs Corporate Education and Training Personal Enrichment Professional Development
Enrollment Services, College Programs and Activities
Academic Advising Admissions Counseling Admissions Guidelines Admissions Policy Audit of Courses Bilingual Counseling Bookstore Canvas and Self-Service Career Services Certification of Enrollment Change of Major Child Care Center & Kindergarten Programs College Center Cooperative Education and Internships Counseling Course Load Dental Hygiene Clinic Educational Opportunity Fund English as a Second Language Grade Reports High School Scholars Program Honor Societies Honors Program Immunization Independent Study Program Intercollegiate Sports International Student Counselor Leave of Absence Library Services Middlesex College Cares Food Pantry Military-Affiliated Applicants (Veterans, National Guard/Reserve, Active Duty or Military Dependents) NJ STARS Physical Education Center Readmission Registration Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Semesters and Sessions Service Learning Student Government Association Students with Disabilities Transfer Services - Academic Advising Center Tutoring - Learning Center Withdrawal from a Course Withdrawal from the College
Expenses and Financial Aid
Chargeback Expenses Federal Direct Loan Program Federal Grants Federal Work-Study Program Financial Aid Financial Aid - Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Financial Aid Refund Policy Financial Appeals International Students New Jersey Aid Programs New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application Other Sources of Assistance Payment Policy Refund Policy Residency and Expenses Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver Volunteer Tuition Waiver
Scholarships
Middlesex College Scholarship Eligibility Highlights Middlesex College Scholarships
Students' Rights and Responsibilities
Code of Student Conduct Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) & Cleary Act Sexual Harassment Policy Student Grievance Procedure Student Responsibilities
Academic Standards and Regulations
Academic Amnesty Appeal Academic Appeals Academic Honors Academic Integrity Policy Academic Performance Notification Academic Statuses Administrative Dismissal Assignment of Credit Hours Attendance College Credit by Examination Course Time Limits Credit for Educational Experience in the Military Credit for Non-Collegiate Educational Programs Degree and Certificate Requirements Developmental Education Procedures General Education Grading System Graduation Midterm Grade Reports Placement Test Exemptions Prerequisites Previous College Credit Skill Assessment and Placement Standards of Progress Transcripts
Directory
Emeriti Faculty and Administrative Staff Nursing Faculty and Administrative Staff