Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
  
2023-2024 Catalog

Art and Design with Areas of Concentration, AFA


Award: Associate of Fine Arts

Degree Code: AFAH (Art History Concentration) - 60 Credits

Degree Code: AFCS (Ceramics and Sculpture Concentration) - 60 Credits

Degree Code: AFDP (Drawing and Painting Concentration) - 60 Credits

Degree Code: AFGD (Graphic Design Concentration) - 60 Credits

Degree Code: AFIM (Interactive and Motion Arts Concentration) - 60 Credits

Degree Code: AFPD (Photography and Digital Arts Concentration) - 60 Credits

Degree Code: AFSA (Studio Arts Concentration) - 60 Credits

Program Description

The Associate of Fine Arts degree in Art and Design provides the foundation coursework and studio expertise that parallels the first two years of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Art and Design, the professional degree in the Art and Design field. Upon completion of the AFA, students will have created an artistic portfolio of work to transfer to a college, university or art school. The program prepares students with an intensive studio-based curriculum stressing the development of artistic techniques and critical thinking skills. Students study a variety of art disciplines preparing them for continued study in Art and Design leading to careers in the following fields: fine art, art education, art therapy, graphic design, curatorial studies, advertising, fashion design, and interior design. Students may concentrate their studies in subjects including animation, ceramics, digital art, drawing, graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture. Students should consult with art faculty early in their academic program to determine which electives will best meet their needs.

The computer literacy requirement will be met throughout the course work in the degree program.

Transfer Information

Cecil College has the following transfer agreements:  https://www.cecil.edu/student-resources/advising-transfer/transfer-agreements.  Additionally, transfer information is available at the ARTSYS website (The Articulation System of Maryland). Contact your advisor for detailed information.

Career Opportunities


Art teacher, fine artist, illustrator, graphic designer, animator, art director, architectural designer, art historian, curator, art critic, art therapist, fashion designer, gallery director, industrial designer, interior designer, creative director, commercial artist, multimedia artist, museum archivist, layout artist, photographer, photojournalist, videographer, web designer, and other art related careers.

Required Courses


General Education Requirement Electives - Select 7 Credits


Please see Academic Advisor for elective selection.

  • MAT - Math Elective (M) - Credits: 3
  • SCI - Science Elective with Lab (SL) - Credits: 4

Associate of Fine Arts Concentration Requirements and Electives (19 Credits)


Art electives are chosen to tailor the program of study to specific transfer goals. It is recommended that students contact the fine arts program coordinator and art faculty to identify transfer institutions and art concentrations before selecting electives.

Areas of Concentration


Students may declare one or more areas of concentration in Art History, Ceramics and Sculpture, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Interactive and Motion Arts, Photography and Digital Arts, and Studio Arts. It is recommended that students contact the fine arts program coordinator and art faculty to identify transfer institutions and art concentrations before selecting electives. 

Art History Concentration


The Art History concentration is designed for students who want to pursue careers in art history, art conservation, and museum studies.

Requirements (19 Credits)


Ceramics and Sculpture Concentration


The Ceramics concentration is designed for students who want to pursue careers as visual artists in ceramics and sculpture.

Concentration Electives - Select 1-4 Credits

Please see Academic Advisor for elective selection.

  • ART - Art Elective - Credits: 1-4

Drawing and Painting Concentration


The Drawing and Painting concentration is designed for students who want to pursue careers as visual artists in fine arts related fields including drawing, painting, and illustration.

Concentration Electives - Select 1-4 Credits

Please see Academic Advisor for elective selection.

  • ART - Art Elective - Credits: 1-4

Graphic Design Concentration


The Graphic Design concentration is designed for students who want to pursue careers as visual artists in graphic design and related fields.

Requirements (19 Credits)


Concentration Electives - Select 12 Credits

Please see Academic Advisor for elective selection.

Interactive Motion Arts Concentration


The Interactive and Motion Arts concentration is designed for students who want to pursue careers as visual artists in the fields of animation, film and video, game art and mobile media design.

Photography and Digital Arts Concentration


The Photography and Digital Arts concentration is designed for students who want to pursue careers across multiple image-based disciplines.

Requirements (19 Credits)


Concentration Electives - Select 11 Credits

Please see Academic Advisor for elective selection.

Studio Arts Concentration


The Studio Arts concentration is designed for students who want to pursue careers as visual artists and art educators.

Concentration Electives - Select 1-4 Credits

Please see Academic Advisor for elective selection.

  • ART - Art Elective - Credits: 1-4

Recommended Sequence


The following is a recommended sequence of courses for completing this program as a full-time student. Developmental and prerequisite course requirements, credit load, and/or course availability may affect a student’s individual progress. Students should consult their degree audit at MyCecil or an academic advisor for individual degree planning.

Fall I (15 Credits)


Spring I (17 Credits)


Fall II (15 Credits)


Spring II (13 Credits)


Program Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Use visual problem solving and creative thinking skills to make works of art.
  • Proficiently work with a range of art media and techniques.
  • Professionally document and exhibit a body of work that demonstrates artistic voice, concept development, and technical skill.
  • Set and define career goals using professional practices in art and design.
  • Interpret visual art in its cultural context.

Additional Outcomes - Area of Concentration in Art History

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will also be able to:

  • Recognize artists, movements, themes, styles, and artwork related to various cultures and art historical time periods.
  • Research and interpret works of art as formal constructs related to social and cultural contexts.
  • Respond verbally and in writing to works of art and to historical and theoretical material related to art.

Additional Outcomes - Area of Concentration in Ceramics and Sculpture

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will also be able to:

  • Proficiently work with a wide range of ceramics and sculpture materials, tools, techniques, and processes to create work from concept to finished product.
  • Apply the elements and principles of design to communicate aesthetic and conceptual intent.
  • Professionally document a body of work that demonstrates artistic voice, concept, and technical skills in ceramics or sculpture.

Additional Outcomes - Area of Concentration in Drawing and Painting

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will also be able to:

  • Proficiently work with a wide range of drawing and painting materials and tools, techniques, and processes to create work from concept to finished product.
  • Apply the elements and principles of design to communicate aesthetic and conceptual intent.
  • Professionally document a body of work that demonstrates artistic voice, concept, and technical skills in drawing and painting.

Additional Outcomes - Area of Concentration in Graphic Design

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will also be able to:

  • Discuss the roles of tools and technology in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages.
  • Use 2D and 3D software programs, including applications such as modeling, animation, illustration, video, sound, photography, print and web authoring.
  • Solve communication problems, including identification, research, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping and user testing, and evaluation of outcomes.

Additional Outcomes - Area of Concentration in Interactive and Motion Arts

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will also be able to:

  • Demonstrate proficiencies in hand-based and digital-based drawing, animation, video, storyboarding, character design and 3D environments.
  • Use 2D and 3D software programs, including applications for modeling, animation, video, sound, illustration, photography, and print, to express ideas and solve design problems.
  • Recognize the functions, methods, vocabulary, and roles that are unique to the programmer, the designer, and the artist within the individual and collaborative design process.

Additional Outcomes - Area of Concentration in Photography and Digital Arts

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will also be able to:

  • Use tools, materials, equipment, and processes to work from concept to finished product in photography and digital arts.
  • Use 2D and 3D software programs, including applications for photography, print, illustration, web authoring, modeling, animation, sound, and video.
  • Apply the elements and principles of design to communicate aesthetic and conceptual intent.
  • Professionally document a body of work that demonstrates artistic voice, concept, and technical skills in photography and digital arts.

Additional Outcomes - Area of Concentration in Studio Arts

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will also be able to:

  • Proficiently work with a wide range of art materials, tools, and techniques to create work from concept to finished product.
  • Apply the elements and principles of design to communicate aesthetic and conceptual intent.
  • Professionally document a body of work that demonstrates artistic voice, concept, and technical skills.