ASSOCIATE OF FINE ARTS DEGREE WITH OPTIONS IN
ART, MUSIC, OR THEATRE
The Associate of Fine Arts Degree with options (majors) in Art, Music, or Theatre is a new degree program of study that began in the Fall of 2001. The AFA degree prepares students for transfer to Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs at four year institutions. Just as the Associates in Arts (AA) degree is composed of the first two years of study toward the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, the Associate of Fine Arts is composed of the first two years of concentrated study in studio courses appropriate to the BFA in art, music, or theatre.
The Associate of Fine Arts degree will provide a well-rounded education with a generous range of liberal arts courses required by four year BFA programs. Specifically, the AFA degree contains a series of general education “core” requirements which all AFA students must complete regardless of option (major).
In terms of academic requirements, the major difference between the AA degree and AFA is that the AFA requires more hands-on “studio” courses while reducing the number courses in math and science needed for graduation. The AA degree requires four courses in math and science. The AFA degree, however, requires only two courses in math and/or science for graduation.(Either two science courses and no math courses, or two math courses and no science courses, or one science course and one math course.) The AFA degree also requires one less social science course. See the attached for a listing of required general education “core” courses and for a listing of course requirements for each AFA option: Art, Music, or Theatre.
For further details, contact the Chair of the visual and Performing Arts Department at (732)-906-2589.
ASSOCIATE OF FINE ARTS DEGREE WITH OPTIONS IN
ART, MUSIC, OR THEATRE
Why follow a plan of study for the Associate in Fine Arts Degree (AFA)?
The AFA degree offers the first two years of concentrated study in studio courses for students planning to transfer to a fine arts program (Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Music Degree) at a senior institution. The AFA degree is offered in art, music, and theatre.
How is the AFA degree different from the AA degree?
The major difference between the AFA and that AA is that the AFA requires more “hands-on” studio courses while reducing the number of courses in math, science, and social science needed for graduation. The AA degree requires four courses in math and science while the AFA requires only two courses in math and/or science.
What will I learn if I pursue the AFA degree?
The degree will provide a well-rounded education with a generous range of liberal arts courses required by four-year fine arts programs. Specifically, you will complete a series of general education “core” requirements upon which to build conceptual and communication skills that make up a large part of every fine arts career or professional program at a bachelor’s degree level. In addition, you will create a body or work or develop your skills in your chosen field in ways that will assist you in being accepted into a competitive fine arts program at a senior institution.
Are there any requirements I must satisfy before I Start Taking courses in my chosen field?
Algebra I is required for all majors. Competency in Algebra must be verified with a passing score of the College’s placement test.
How long will it take me to complete this degree?
If you do not need developmental coursework and you register for an average of 16 credits each semester, you can complete the degree in two years. You can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
Where should I direct specific questions about this program?
Contact the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities (732)-906-2528 or the Chair of the Department (732)-906-2589.
ASSOCIATE IN FINE ARTS DEGREE “CORE” CURRICULUM GUIDE OPTIONS IN ART, MUSIC, OR THEATRE DIVISION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
1. A. COMMUNICATION (9 CREDITS)
ENG 121 English Composition I 3______ENG 122 English Composition II 3______OR ENG 125 English Composition II Writing about Literature
SPE 121 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3______
B. HISTORY (6 CREDITS)
HIS 121 History of Western Civilization I 3______HIS 122 History of Western Civilization II 3______
C. SOCIAL SCIENCES (3 CREDITS)
Choose three credits from courses designated in the course descriptions as GE SS 3______from the following: African-American Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.
D. HUMANITIES (9 CREDITS)
Choose six credits in sequence of the same modern 3______language from: French, German, Italian or Spanish. 3______
Choose three additional credits in humanities from courses designated in the course descriptions as GE HUM from the following: African-American Studies, Art, Dance, English, History, Modern 3______Language, Music, Philosophy, Speech, and Theatre.
E. MATHEMATICS AND/OR SCIENCE (6-8 CREDITS)
Choose any math and/or science courses numbered 101 4/3______or above that when combined total 6-8 credits 4/3______
F. DIVERSITY (0/3 CREDITS)- Choose a minimum or three credits from courses designated as GE DIV in the course descriptions section of the current catalog. If the course is also designated as GE HUM, GE SS, GE SCI, or GE PED. It may also be used to satisfy and additional Graduation requirement.
COURSE TITLE
______
G. COMPUTER LITERACY (3 CREDITS)
CSC-105 – Computer Application and Systems 3 ______OR BUS 107 – Computer Applications for Business
H. HEALTH EDUCATION/PHYSICAL EDUCATION 3/1______
______
I. FREE ELECTIVES (3 CREDITS) 3______
TOTAL ASSOCIATE IN FINE ARTS “CORE” CREDITS 40-47
II. REQUIRED CREDITS IN THE DISIPLINE:
A.F.A in Art: minimum of 23 hrs. of selected art courses in addition to the “core” (see specific course requirements in the discipline)
A.F.A in Music: minimum of 21 hrs. of selected music courses in addition to the “core” (see specific course requirements in the discipline)
A.F.A in Theatre: minimum of 20 hrs. of selected theatre courses in addition to the “core” (see specific course requirements in the discipline)
ASSOCIATE OF FINE ARTS DISIPLINE REQUIRMENTS
AFA DEGREE: ART (required courses total 23 credits)
ART 109 Drawing or ART 110 Figure Drawing…………………………………………3 ART 123 Art History: Ancient to Renaissance…………………………………………...3 ART 124 Art History: Renaissance to Modern…………………………………………...3 ART 145 Art Fundamentals, 2 Dimensions……………………………………………....3 ART 146 Art Fundamentals, 3 Dimensions………………………………………………3 ART 148 Art Portfolio Workshop………………………………………………………...1 ART 149 Art Studio Seminar……………………………………………………………..1 Plus one of the following………………………………………………………………….3 ART 221 Painting: Traditional ART 222 Painting: Contemporary ART 223 Sculpture: Traditional ART 224 Sculpture: Contemporary Plus an additional art course………………………………………………………………3
TOTAL DEGREE REQUIRMENTS 63-66 CREDITS
AFA Degree: MUSIC (required courses total 21 credits)
MUS 123 Music History Traditional or MUS 124 Music History Contemporary………..3 MUS 131 Keyboard Studies I……………………………………………………………..3 MUS 132 Keyboard Studies II……………………………………………………………3 MUS 140 Music Fundamentals…………………………………………………………...3 MUS 201 Music Notation and Composition I…..………………………………………...3 MUS 202 Music Notation and Composition II.…………………………………………...3 Plus additional music courses to total at least three credits……………………………….3
TOTAL DEGREE REQUIRMENTS 61-64 CREDITS
AFA DEGREE: THEATRE (required courses total 20 credits)
THE 123 Theatre History or THE 152 American Musical Theatre………………………3 THE 124 Contemporary Theatre…………………………………………….……………3 THE 131 Acting I…………………………………………………………………………3 THE 145 Stagecraft……………………………………………………………………….4 THE 146 Play Production………………………………………………………………...4 Plus an additional three credits in theatre or a course selected from the following: Modern Drama, Shakespeare, Oral Interpretation or Literature, Music History, Music Fundamentals, or any dance course……………………………………………………….3
TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 63 CREDITS