What can I do with this?
We are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. This provides a clear
pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. This AA-T degree guarantees admission
with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and gives priority admission consideration
to your local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to your community
college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses.
More information on the Degree with a Guarantee Program.
The Studio Arts Degree for Transfer
- Guarantees acceptance to the CSU system
- Is appropriate for students going on to professional art school, as well as those
completing their studies in
- fine arts
- design fields (such as graphic and media arts, industrial and product design)
- art education
- art therapy
Current and prospective community college students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.
What will I learn?
- To demonstrate knowledge of the arts through associated terminology, historical practices and contemporary developments.
- To identify the formal, technical and expressive aspects in visual artworks, using critical skills to describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate such works.
- To demonstrate proficiency in basic foundation level art techniques and practices.
- To use a wide range of materials and means of expression to communicate visual ideas, including traditional or digital studio practices.
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
Complete all of the following courses:
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course provides an overview of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the Contemporary period. (ART C105 is not a prerequisite for ART C106.) Approved for IGETC Area 3A, CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3.
C-ID: ARTS 100 2-D Foundations
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $10 materials fee. This course provides an introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to two-dimensional art and composition, including the study of basic design principles and elements of line, shape, texture, value, and color. A combined lecture and studio approach provides students with the opportunity to develop a visual vocabulary for creative expression through traditional, hands-on art production methods and materials. Digital tools are not used in this course. Course previously known as Two Dimensional Design. Approved for CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3.
C-ID: ARTS 101 3-D Foundations
Advisory: ENGL C101
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $20 materials fee. This course is an introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to three-dimensional design and spatial composition, including the study of the elements and organizing principles of design as they apply to three-dimensional space and form. A combined lecture and studio approach provides the student with the opportunity to develop a visual vocabulary for creative expression. The course uses traditional hands-on art production methods and materials for representational and non-representational three-dimensional studio projects. Digital tools are not used in this course. Course previously known as Three-Dimensional Design. Approved for Local GE Area 3.
C-ID: ARTS 110 Fundamentals of Drawing
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $10 materials fee. This is a studio course that introduces the principles, elements, and practices of drawing, employing a range of subject matter and drawing media. A strong focus is placed on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses to materials and subject matter. $10 materials fee. Approved for CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3.
Select 3 units from the following courses:
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course provides an overview of western art and architecture from prehistory through the Middle Ages. Approved for IGETC Area 3A, CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3.
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $10 materials fee. This course provides a general introduction to art that offers a look at works of art through the study of theory, terminology, themes, design principles, media, techniques, with an introduction to the visual arts across time and diverse cultures. In addition, the student is given studio art experiences dealing with various studio media in order to reinforce the concepts presented. Approved for IGETC Area 3A, CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3 & 6.
Select 9 units from the following courses:
C-ID: ARTS 210 Introduction to Painting
Advisory: ENGL C070
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $10 materials fee. This course is a beginning level studio arts course introducing the materials, methods, and techniques of painting as a means of creating two dimensional art images. The course focuses on exploration of painting materials, perceptual skills and color theory, paint mixing and technique, as well as creative responses to materials and subject matter. Approved for CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3.
Advisory: ENGL C101
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $10 materials fee. This course introduces students to ceramics materials, concepts, and processes including basic design principles, creative development, hand-building, throwing, glaze techniques, firing and ceramic terminology. The course covers aesthetics and creative development of clay objects examining historical, contemporary, and personal modes of expression across cultures. Approved for CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3.
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $20 materials fee. This course introduces sculptural principles, concepts, processes and techniques. Modern materials and their relationship to design, form, and three-dimensional space are examined. A combined lecture and studio approach provides students with the opportunity to develop perceptual skills that enable them to create sculptures for personal artistic expression. Approved for CSU GE Area C1, Local GE Area 3.
Prerequisite: ART C121
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $10 materials fee. This studio course provides an exploration of artistic concepts, styles, and creative expression in intermediate-level drawing, focusing on complex subject matter and concepts and using a variety of drawing mediums, techniques, and methodologies. Students in this course build on fundamental drawing skills to develop personalized approaches to content and materials in exercises covering multiple historical and contemporary approaches to drawing. Approved for Local GE Area 3.
Prerequisite: ART C131
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $10 materials fee. This course provides students opportunities for advanced projects in painting. Students in this course build on fundamental painting skills to develop personalized approaches to content and materials, while exploring complex subject matter, artistic concepts, styles, and creative expression. Approved for Local GE Area 3.
Prerequisite: ART C141
27 hours lecture/81 hours laboratory. $20 materials fee. This course provides an opportunity for advanced work in basic ceramic techniques, glaze and clay formulation, and kiln firing. Approved for Local GE Area 3.
General Ed Requirements
Complete one of the following general education patterns:
Program Pathways
All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: Ridgecrest / IWV
Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
60.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $2,760 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $6,360 for 4 semesters
Non-residents
60.0 units
at $388 per unit
Equals $23,280 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $26,880 for 4 semesters
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
