Associate in Fine Arts Degree - Visual Art Emphasis

Illinois colleges and universities offer two different bachelor’s degrees in art: the professional Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree and the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in art. In general, the BFA degree requires about 135-semester credits for completion, while the BA degree with a major in art requires 120 to 124-semester credits for completion. The BFA degree generally requires more studio art courses than does the BA degree. In some colleges and universities, a BA degree requires competency in a foreign language, while the BFA degree often does not.

To transfer as a junior into either a BFA or a BA program with a major in art, students should select the option described below in consultation with a faculty member in the art department. Since transfer admission is competitive, completion of this option does not guarantee admission. Most institutions require a portfolio review for admission to a BFA program, for registration in advanced studio art courses, and/or for scholarship consideration. Community and junior college students are strongly encouraged to complete an associate degree before transferring.

The college recommends using the Academic Planning, Registration, and Payment Tool on accessECC to track your progress toward completion.

The general education courses required for the AFA degree are approved by the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI); however, the structure of the AFA degree does not meet the minimum IAI general education core requirements, nor does it meet the requirements for the AA or AS degrees.

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Transferability of ART 104 Sculpture II, ART 106 Ceramics II, ART 108 Painting II, ART 112 Jewelry II, ART 114 Printmaking II is dependent on a portfolio examination at the senior institution.

College Requirements

1. A total of 60 hours or more must be completed as specified. This total cannot include any credits earned in courses numbered below 100 nor any courses with ABE, ASE, AMT, ARW, or ESL prefixes. The 60 hours total may include up to four hours of credit in physical education courses prefixed by PHC.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for all courses numbered 100 and above.
3. Meet the college’s Academic Residency Requirement for University Transfer degrees: A minimum of 15 semester hours in courses numbered 100 and above and must have been achieved at ECC, excluding AP, CLEP and proficiency credits.
4. Students may apply up to six hours of Independent Study credit toward any associate degree.
5. Students can earn only one transfer associate degree. Should a student seek to earn more than one transfer degree, a Petition to Earn Multiple Transfer Degrees form must be submitted to the associate dean of advising, transfer, and career development services.