Fine Arts Transfer Major - AA

Fuel Your Creativity: Fine Arts Transfer Degree at SCC!

Unleash your artistic potential and lay the groundwork for a fulfilling career in the arts at SCC. Our Fine Arts Transfer program offers hands-on experience, expert guidance, and a supportive community to help you thrive.

Embark on a transformative journey of self-expression and creativity with SCC's Fine Arts Transfer program. Whether you dream of becoming a professional artist, designer, or educator, our comprehensive curriculum and supportive community will empower you to turn your passion into a successful career.

Program location

Available in West Burlington Available in Keokuk Not available online

Why Fine Arts at SCC?

Get Personalized Attention: Study under accomplished artists who are invested in your success, and who provide ample opportunities for individualized support and mentorship.

Transfer with Confidence: Easily transition to esteemed four-year colleges and universities, ensuring your credits transfer smoothly and setting you on the path to a bachelor's degree.

Join a Vibrant Community: Immerse yourself in a dynamic arts community through high quality exhibitions, lectures, studio courses, and field trips. Collaborate with fellow students and faculty who share your passion.

Keep Your Education Affordable: Enjoy quality education at an affordable cost, with financial aid options available to help you pursue your dreams without breaking the bank.

What you’ll learn

Drawing and Composition: Master fundamental drawing techniques and principles of composition to express yourself visually.

Color Theory and Application: Explore the psychology of color and learn how to effectively use color in your artwork to convey mood and emotion.

Art History and Criticism: Delve into the rich history of art and develop your critical thinking skills by analyzing and interpreting artworks from diverse cultures and time periods.

3-D Design and Sculpture: Experiment with various sculptural materials and techniques to create three-dimensional forms and explore spatial relationships.

Key classes you’ll take

  • Drawing
  • 2D and 3D Design
  • Art History
  • Electives include Ceramics, Painting, Photography, Printmaking
student and instructor at a potter's wheel
student and instructor at a potter's wheel
student preparing to paint
students studying art in the Murray Art Gallery
students in drawing class

Common transfer colleges & universities

  • University of Iowa
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Western Illinois University

TRANSFER INSTITUTIONS

Where this program can take you

  • Advertising Designer
  • Architect
  • Art Director
  • Art Teacher
  • Art Therapist
  • Fashion Designer
  • Interior Decorator
  • Publication Illustrator

Did you know

SCC faculty are working artists. They've exhibited their work both nationally and internationally, and their work can be found in permanent collections all over the world.

SCC art graduates are amazing. Many have gone on to become accomplished architects, artists exhibiting their art in major galleries and museums, and skilled art teachers. Some have even had their artwork published in newspapers and magazines like Art Forum, The New York Times, and The New Yorker.

SCC is home to the Virginia and Harry Murray Art Gallery. This premier gallery in southeast Iowa hosts works of internationally recognized artists.

 

Contact Us

West Burlington Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 208-5155
Text: (319) 250-7144
Email: admissionswb@scciowa.edu

Keokuk Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 313-1923
Text: (319) 220-3266
Email: admissionskeo@scciowa.edu

Schedule an Appointment

The Fine Arts Transfer Major prepares students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to earn a degree in the visual arts. Students take core drawing and design courses and can choose from a painting or a photography path. Students interested in this program should possess a strong interest in the visual world and a desire to produce art work using traditional as well as non-traditional media as modes for self-expression. Fine Arts majors with a bachelor's degree may find careers in design, illustration, recreational therapy, and teaching at art centers and private studios. As well as Studio Technicians, Arts administration, Art history, Arts education, Design 3D/2D, Fine art/Studio art, Media arts, Architecture, or will use this path to seek an MA or MFA degree.

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the summary sheet.

Curriculum Sequence


Fall I Semester Course Title Credit
SDV-108 The College Experience 1
ENG-105 Composition I 3
ART-120 2-D Design 3
ART-133 Drawing 3
ART-203 Art History I 3
ZZZ-SOC Social Science Course 3
TOTAL CREDITS 16

Spring I Semester Course Title Credit
ENG-106 Composition II 3
ART-134 Drawing II 3
ART-123 3-D Design 3
ART-204 Art History II 3
Take course totaling at least 4 credits
ZZZ-LAB Lab Science Course 3-5
TOTAL CREDITS 16 - 17

Fall II Semester Course Title Credit
ZZZ-SOC Social Science Course 3
ART-143 Painting 3
ART-173 Ceramics 3
ZZZ-HUM Humanities Course 3
Take course totaling 3 credits
ZZZ-MAT Mathematics Course 3-4
TOTAL CREDITS 15

Spring II Semester Course Title Credit
SPC-112 Public Speaking 3
ZZZ-SOC Social Science Course 3
ZZZ-SOC Social Science Course 3
Take course totaling 3-5 credits
ZZZ-MSC Math or Science Course 3-5
Take 2 of these 7 courses
ART-138 Figure Drawing 3
ART-144 Painting II 3
ART-154 Mixed Media 3
ART-157 Printmaking 3
ART-174 Ceramics II 3
ART-184 Photography 3
ART-186 Digital Photography 3
TOTAL CREDITS 18 - 20

SDV-108 - The College Experience

Lecture: 1

Credit: 1

This course is designed to empower new students to successfully transition to college. Students will learn academic success skills, strategies for personal development and exploration, college culture and expectations, and how to access college resources and services.

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

ART-120 - 2-D Design

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

This beginning level course for either non-art or art majors allows the student to explore a variety of two dimensional media such as pencil, ink, pastel, watercolor, acrylics, etc., applied on paper and other types of surfaces. A variety of design styles and methods will be introduced using the various elements and principles of design.

ART-133 - Drawing

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

A beginning drawing class in a variety of media using an assortment of subjects. The student will explore theories and concepts of drawing.

ART-203 - Art History I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A survey of art history from prehistory to the Renaissance. Both period style and personal styles will be compared to the lifestyles of the period. Emphasis will be on artists and artforms of Western cultures. Class work will consist of discussion of art using slides, prints and field trips.

ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ENG-106 - Composition II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A continuation of study of the principles of writing begun in ENG-105. Emphasis is placed on persuasive writing, critical analysis and the MLA research paper. Time will also be spent exploring print and electronic research sources and learning effective research strategies. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: ENG-105, with a minimum grade of C-.

ART-134 - Drawing II

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

Development and techniques of a personal drawing style, a continuation of Drawing I with more emphasis on the student's individualized curriculum. Prerequisite: ART-133.

ZZZ-LAB - Lab Science Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 2

Credit: 3-5

Courses fulfilling the Lab Science requirement incorporate hands-on experimentation and observation by students in the study of science. Any science course of 100-level or above including laboratory credit from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, physical science, science, or environmental science can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ART-123 - 3-D Design

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

This beginning level course for non-art or art majors allows the student to explore a variety of three dimensional media making constructions such as relief designs, mobiles and sculpture using a variety of media such as wood, metal, wire, paint, etc., and other media of the student's choice. A variety of design styles and methods will be introduced.

ART-204 - Art History II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Continuation of ART-203 from Renaissance to post-modern.

ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ART-143 - Painting

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

A beginning painting course for non-art or art majors in a variety of media. A variety of subjects, theories and concepts will be considered.

ART-173 - Ceramics

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

A beginning level course for either non-art or art majors exploring hand built pottery techniques and use of the potter‘s wheel.

ZZZ-MAT - Mathematics Course

Lecture: 3-4

Credit: 3-4

Courses fulfilling the Mathematics requirement address the properties and relationships of numbers, formulas, and operations, as well as the real world application of these concepts to analyze data. Any mathematics course of the 100-level or above can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-MSC - Math or Science Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Courses fulfilling the Math or Science requirement address quantitative and/or scientific reasoning skills. Any course of 100-level or above from mathematics or a science discipline can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

SPC-112 - Public Speaking

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.

ART-138 - Figure Drawing

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

This course introduces the students to figurative drawing. We will focus on structure of the human figure and compositional representation through observation. An emphasis will be placed on refining skills of observation and proportioning of the picture plane. A dialogue on formal aspects covered in Drawing I will continue. Personal expression, approach and conceptual language will be covered through assignments and from a figurative historical perspective. Prerequisite: ART-133.

ART-144 - Painting II

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

Development and techniques of a personal painting style; a continuation of Painting I with emphasis on the student's individualized curriculum. Prerequisite: ART-143.

ART-154 - Mixed Media

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

This beginning level course allows students to explore art projects that combine a variety of media. The course emphasizes experimentation with conceptual approaches to art. Examples of projects include mixed media on paper, on canvas, handmade art books, assemblage and found object sculpture.

ART-157 - Printmaking

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

Introductory printing course with emphasis in basic printmaking techniques and processes. Printing proficiency in relief, stencil and/or intaglio prints will be pursued.

ART-174 - Ceramics II

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

Advanced hand building and/or throwing techniques; larger scale or more in depth goals; projects may be more sculptural or one of a kind. Prerequisite: ART-173.

ART-184 - Photography

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

This course introduces basic camera operations and equipment, processing and photographic print production for both the traditional and digital cameras. Topics include contrast, depth-of-field, subject composition, density control, film selection, proper exposure and aesthetics. Digital image scanning, current tools, technologies and software will be covered. Students will need to provide a non-automatic 35MM camera and photographic materials.

ART-186 - Digital Photography

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Introduces students to the use, management and manipulation of photographs as a digital medium. Students will study Photoshop as a photographic editing tool and utilize critical analysis relating to ideas of photo editing and manipulation. Content will include the technical concepts of digital image editing and manipulation in the context of historical and contemporary theories of photography as an art form.

ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

John Bybee - Professor - Art

Email: jbybee@scciowa.edu
BFA, Southern Illinois University
MFA, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Timothy Van Ginkel - Associate Professor - Art

Email: tvanginkel@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BFA, Western Illinois University
MA, Western Illinois University
MFA, University of Iowa