Art, A.A.

The Associate of Arts in Art degree is intended for students who want to develop their art-making skills and breadth of knowledge through studio and art history course work.  Students who complete this non-transfer degree will have a body of work that can be used to further a personal career in art, or as an entry point into commercial art industries such as Studio Fine Arts, Commercial Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, and Museum/Gallery Preparation.

The major requirement for an Associate in Arts in Art may be met by completing the pattern described plus all MSJC Local General Education requirements (for a total of 60 units). 

AA.ART

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Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities.  Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.    

  • Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.   
  • Are you a part-time student?  Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.

MSJC Local General Education

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ART-102 Art History: Renaissance to 21st Century (formerly Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century Art) 3
ART-108 Beginning Drawing 3
MATH-115 Ideas of Mathematics 3
CSCR-100 College Success and Career Readiness 3
ENGL-C1000 Academic Reading and Writing 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
ART-120 2D Design 3
ART-131 Introduction to Digital Art + Design 3
ART-104 World Art 3
COMM-C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or American Government and Politics
3
 Units15
Fall Semester 2
ART-115 Painting I 3
ART-101 Art History: Prehistoric Through Medieval Art 3
ART-121 Color Theory 3
ETHS/PS-103
Ethnic Politics in America
or Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies
or Introduction to Black Studies
or Black History in the American Context
or American Indian Literature
or Latinx/Chicanx Literature
or Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
or Indigenous Peoples of California
3
ART-125
Typography
or Sculpture
or Intermediate Drawing
3
 Units15
Spring Semester 2
PSYC-C1000 Introduction to Psychology 3
ART-122 3D Design 3
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
ART-116
Painting II
or Life Drawing
3
ART-123
Graphic Design Principles
or Ceramic Arts
or Intermediate Sculpture (formerly Foundry-Ceramic Shell Casting)
3
 Units15
 Total Units60

An Associate Degree in this program requires students to complete MSJC's Local General Education by fulfilling all general education areas. In addition, students must complete all major requirements and complete an overall total of 60 degree applicable units with a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Course Title Credits
MSJC Local General Education27
Required Art Courses12
Art Electives6
Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)
Course Title Credits
Required Courses
ART-101Art History: Prehistoric Through Medieval Art3
or ART-101H Honors Art History: Prehistoric Through Medieval Art
ART-102Art History: Renaissance to 21st Century (formerly Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century Art)3
or ART-102H Honors Art History: Renaissance to 21st Century (formerly Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century Art)
ART-108Beginning Drawing3
ART-1202D Design3
Electives
Select 6 units from the following:6
Art History:
Introduction to Modernism
Honors Introduction to Modernism
World Art
Honors World Art
Design Theory and Culture
Two Dimensional Art:
Intermediate Drawing
Life Drawing
Painting I
Painting II
Color Theory
Graphic Design Principles
Typography
Introduction to Digital Art + Design
Illustration
Special Projects: Art
Mural Painting (formerly ART-119)
Visual Communication Design
Interaction Design (UX/UI)
Three Dimensional Art:
3D Design
Ceramic Arts
Sculpture
Intermediate Sculpture (formerly Foundry-Ceramic Shell Casting)
Special Projects: Art
Total Units18

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Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer.