Studio Arts
Associate in Arts for Transfer School of Arts and Social Sciences · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
School of Arts and Social Sciences
The study of art will enrich the student’s experience of the world and encourage the student to draw upon creative resources. An education in art can lead to professional or vocational careers, as well as enhance abilities in other fields. The Art Department offers a foundation in theoretical and practical skills, and the opportunity to work in a wide variety of specific art media.
The Art Program provides lower division undergraduate transfer classes, professional preparation, personal development, general interest, and general education, as well as an Associate in Arts degree.
The Associate in Arts in Studio Arts for Transfer degree is designed around a core education that includes the study of various media in the visual arts and art history. Upon completion, students with an AA-T in Studio Art will be eligible to transfer with junior standing into an equivalent major within the California State University (CSU) system. Students will be given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college area of emphasis.
The Associate in Arts in Studio Arts for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Studio Arts or similar major.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
A. Demonstrate knowledge of techniques and processes involved in a variety of two and three dimensional art forms.
B. Create works of art integrating aesthetics with the elements and principles of design theory as applies to areas of interest in drawing, painting, design, printmaking, digital art, sculpture, ceramics, or mixed media.
C. Distinguish individual styles as applied to various media, historic art periods and/or cultural diversity.
D. Develop an appreciation and understanding of a wide range of historical content through the visual arts both traditional and contemporary.
For an Associate in Arts in Studio Arts for Transfer (AA-T), students must complete the following:
60 semester CSU-transferable units.
the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern.
a minimum of 18 semester units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district.
obtainment of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
earn a grade of C (or P) or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis
Note: Students are not required to complete any additional local graduation requirements for the AA-T (e.g., PE and Computer and Information Literacy courses).
Program Requirements
Program Core: (12 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH-C1200 | Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary | 3 |
| ART-12A | Sculpture: 3-D Foundations | 3 |
| ART-15 | Design: 2- D Foundations | 3 |
| ART-24A | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| List A: Select a minimum of 3 units | ||
| ARTH-C1100 | Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era | 3 |
| ART-03 | Art of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America | 3 |
| ART-06 | Survey of Modern Art | 3 |
| List B: Select a minimum of 9 units | ||
| ART-12B | Intermediate Sculpture | 3 |
| ART-17A | Introduction to Ceramics | 3 |
| ART-17B | Intermediate Ceramics | 3 |
| ART-20A | Introduction to Printmaking | 3 |
| ART-20B | Intermediate Printmaking | 3 |
| ART-23A | Introduction to Painting | 3 |
| ART-24B | Intermediate Drawing | 3 |
| orART-26A | Introduction to Figure Drawing | 3 |
| ART-29A | Introduction to Watercolor Painting | 3 |
| ARTD-40A | Introduction to Digital Art | 3 |
| ARTD-41A | Introduction to Graphic Design: 2D Foundations | 3 |
| PHOT-10A | Introduction to Photography | 3 |
| Total Units toward the Major | 24 | |
Total Units that may be double counted: (-3 Units)
General Education (Cal-GETC ) Units: (34 Units)
Elective (CSU Transferable) Units: (5 Units)
Total Degree Units: (60 Units)