2026-2027 Catalog [Effective Fall 2026]

Mar 13, 2026

2026-2027 Catalog [Effective Fall 2026]

Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, AFA - College Transfer - CIP Code: 24.0101

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Contact: (336) 334-4822 ext. 50361

The Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts degree shall be granted for a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of college transfer courses. Within the degree program, GTCC includes opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use.

Upon successful completion of this degree, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate strategies to acquire new information in the practice of visual art and art history.
Analyze relevant issues in visual art and art history.
Demonstrate visual arts foundations skills.
Create an original portfolio of visual art for educational and professional application.

Course Requirements for Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, AFA

Universal General Education Transfer Component (25-26 credits)

All Universal General Education Transfer Component courses will transfer for equivalency credit. They include study in the areas of English, communication; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

English Composition (6 credits)

The following two English composition courses are required.

ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry Credits: 3
ENG 112 Writing and Research in the Disciplines Credits: 3

Communications and Humanities/Fine Arts (6 credits)

Select two courses from two different disciplines.

ART 111 Art Appreciation Credits: 3
COM 120 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
COM 231 Public Speaking Credits: 3
DRA 111 Theatre Appreciation Credits: 3
ENG 231 American Literature I Credits: 3
ENG 232 American Literature II Credits: 3
ENG 241 British Literature I Credits: 3
ENG 242 British Literature II Credits: 3
MUS 110 Music Appreciation Credits: 3
MUS 112 Introduction to Jazz Credits: 3
PHI 215 Philosophical Issues Credits: 3
PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics Credits: 3

Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)

Select two courses from two different disciplines.

ECO 251 Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 252 Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
HIS 111 World Civilizations I Credits: 3
HIS 112 World Civilizations II Credits: 3
HIS 131 American History I Credits: 3
HIS 132 American History II Credits: 3
POL 120 American Government Credits: 3
PSY 150 General Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3

Mathematics (3-4 credits)

Select one course from the following:

MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy Credits: 3
MAT 152 Statistical Methods I Credits: 4
MAT 171 Precalculus Algebra Credits: 4
MAT 271 Calculus I Credits: 4

Natural Sciences (4 credits)

Select four credits from the following:

AST 151 General Astronomy I Credits: 3
AST 151A General Astronomy I Lab Credits: 1
BIO 110 Principles of Biology Credits: 4
BIO 111 General Biology I Credits: 4
CHM 151 General Chemistry I Credits: 4
GEL 111 Geology Credits: 4
PHY 110 Conceptual Physics Credits: 3
PHY 110A Conceptual Physics Lab Credits: 1

Art Requirements (18 credits)

Required ART courses.

ART 114 Art History Survey I Credits: 3
ART 115 Art History Survey II Credits: 3
ART 121 Two-Dimensional Design Credits: 3
ART 122 Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3
ART 131 Drawing I Credits: 3
ART 215 Visual Art Portfolio Credits: 3

Academic Transition (1 credit)

The following course is required.

ACA 122 Transfer & Career Success Credits: 1

Other Major Requirements for Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts Degree (16 credits)

An additional 16 credits should be selected from the courses classified as pre-major, elective, general education, or UGETC courses. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university. Pre-major/elective courses (and all UGETC and general education courses not listed above) are listed below.

Pre-Major/Electives:

ACC 120 Principles of Financial Accounting Credits: 4
ACC 121 Principles of Managerial Accounting Credits: 4
ART 118 Art by Women Credits: 3
ART 132 Drawing II Credits: 3
ART 135 Figure Drawing I Credits: 3
ART 231 Printmaking I Credits: 3
ART 240 Painting I Credits: 3
ART 241 Painting II Credits: 3
ART 264 Digital Photography I Credits: 3
ART 265 Digital Photography II Credits: 3
ART 281 Sculpture I Credits: 3
ART 283 Ceramics I Credits: 3
ART 284 Ceramics II Credits: 3
AST 152 General Astronomy II Credits: 3
AST 152A General Astronomy II Lab Credits: 1
AST 251 Observational Astronomy Credits: 2
BIO 112 General Biology II Credits: 4
BIO 140 Environmental Biology Credits: 3
BIO 140A Environmental Biology Lab Credits: 1
BIO 163 Basic Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 5
BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIO 169 Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
BIO 175 General Microbiology Credits: 3
BIO 250 Genetics Credits: 4
BIO 265 Cell Biology Credits: 4
BIO 275 Microbiology Credits: 4
BUS 110 Introduction to Business Credits: 3
BUS 115 Business Law I Credits: 3
BUS 137 Principles of Management Credits: 3
CHM 131 Introduction to Chemistry Credits: 3
CHM 131A Introduction to Chemistry Lab Credits: 1
CHM 132 Organic and Biochemistry Credits: 4
CHM 152 General Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHM 251 Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHM 252 Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4
CIS 110 Introduction to Computers Credits: 3
CJC 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CJC 121 Law Enforcement Operations Credits: 3
CJC 141 Corrections Credits: 3
COM 110 Introduction to Communication Credits: 3
COM 130 Nonverbal Communication Credits: 3
COM 140 Introduction to Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
COM 150 Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3
CSC 120 Computing Fundamentals I Credits: 4
CSC 134 C++ Programming Credits: 3
CSC 151 JAVA Programming Credits: 3
CTS 115 Information Systems Business Concepts Credits: 3
DFT 170 Engineering Graphics Credits: 3
DRA 112 Literature of the Theatre Credits: 3
DRA 120 Voice for Performance Credits: 3
DRA 126 Storytelling Credits: 3
DRA 128 Children’s Theatre Credits: 3
DRA 130 Acting I Credits: 3
DRA 131 Acting II Credits: 3
DRA 132 Stage Movement Credits: 3
DRA 135 Acting for the Camera I Credits: 3
DRA 140 Stagecraft I Credits: 3
DRA 141 Stagecraft II Credits: 3
DRA 142 Costuming Credits: 3
DRA 145 Stage Make-up Credits: 2
DRA 170 Play Production I Credits: 3
DRA 171 Play Production II Credits: 3
DRA 211 Theatre History I Credits: 3
DRA 240 Lighting for the Theatre Credits: 3
DRA 270 Play Production III Credits: 3
DRA 271 Play Production IV Credits: 3
EGR 150 Introduction to Engineering Credits: 2
EGR 220 Engineering Statics Credits: 3
EGR 225 Engineering Dynamics Credits: 3
EGR 228 Introduction to Solid Mechanics Credits: 3
ENG 114 Professional Research & Reporting Credits: 3
ENG 125 Creative Writing I Credits: 3
ENG 126 Creative Writing II Credits: 3
ENG 131 Introduction to Literature Credits: 3
ENG 251 Western World Literature I Credits: 3
ENG 252 Western World Literature II Credits: 3
ENG 261 World Literature I Credits: 3
ENG 262 World Literature II Credits: 3
ENG 273 African-American Literature Credits: 3
GEL 230 Environmental Geology Credits: 4
HEA 110 Personal Health/Wellness Credits: 3
HEA 112 First Aid & CPR Credits: 2
HEA 120 Community Health Credits: 3
HIS 221 African-American History Credits: 3
HIS 227 Native American History Credits: 3
HIS 236 North Carolina History Credits: 3
HSE 110 Introduction to Human Services Credits: 3
HUM 110 Technology and Society Credits: 3
HUM 115 Critical Thinking Credits: 3
HUM 120 Cultural Studies Credits: 3
HUM 121 The Nature of America Credits: 3
HUM 122 Southern Culture Credits: 3
HUM 130 Myth in Human Culture Credits: 3
HUM 150 American Women’s Studies Credits: 3
HUM 160 Introduction to Film Credits: 3
HUM 161 Advanced Film Studies Credits: 3
HUM 180 International Cultural Explorations Credits: 3
HUM 211 Humanities I Credits: 3
HUM 212 Humanities II Credits: 3
MAT 172 Precalculus Trigonometry Credits: 4
MAT 263 Brief Calculus Credits: 4
MAT 272 Calculus II Credits: 4
MAT 273 Calculus III Credits: 4
MAT 280 Linear Algebra Credits: 3
MAT 285 Differential Equations Credits: 3
MUS 111 Fundamentals of Music Credits: 3
MUS 121 Music Theory I Credits: 3
MUS 122 Music Theory II Credits: 3
MUS 125 Aural Skills I Credits: 1
MUS 126 Aural Skills II Credits: 1
MUS 141 Ensemble I Credits: 1
MUS 142 Ensemble II Credits: 1
MUS 151 Class Music I Credits: 1
MUS 152 Class Music II Credits: 1
MUS 210 History of Rock Music Credits: 3
MUS 214 Electronic Music I Credits: 2
MUS 215 Electronic Music II Credits: 2
MUS 217 Elementary Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 221 Music Theory III Credits: 4
MUS 222 Music Theory IV Credits: 4
MUS 241 Ensemble III Credits: 1
MUS 242 Ensemble IV Credits: 1
PED 110 Fit and Well for Life Credits: 2
PED 165 Sport Science as a Career Credits: 3
All one-hour PED activity courses
PHI 210 History of Philosophy Credits: 3
PHY 151 College Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 152 College Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 251 General Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 252 General Physics II Credits: 4
POL 210 Comparative Government Credits: 3
POL 220 International Relations Credits: 3
POL 250 Introduction to Political Theory Credits: 3
PSY 237 Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 239 Psychology of Personality Credits: 3
PSY 241 Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 281 Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
REL 110 World Religions Credits: 3
REL 111 Eastern Religions Credits: 3
REL 112 Western Religions Credits: 3
REL 211 Introduction to Old Testament Credits: 3
REL 212 Introduction to New Testament Credits: 3
REL 221 Religion in America Credits: 3
SOC 213 Sociology of the Family Credits: 3
SOC 220 Social Problems Credits: 3
SOC 225 Social Diversity Credits: 3
SOC 240 Social Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 242 Sociology of Deviance Credits: 3
SPA 111 Elementary Spanish I Credits: 3
SPA 112 Elementary Spanish II Credits: 3
SPA 211 Intermediate Spanish I Credits: 3
SPA 212 Intermediate Spanish II Credits: 3

Total credits required for Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts Degree (60-61* credits)

Students are responsible for contacting their intended transfer institution to ensure they select appropriate courses.

Students must meet the receiving university’s foreign language and/or health and physical education

requirements, if applicable, prior to or after transfer to the senior institution.

Note:

*One semester hour of credit may be included in a 61 credits Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts degree. The transfer of this hour is not guaranteed.

Fall Semester I

8 Weeks Session 1

ACA 122 Transfer & Career Success Credits: 1
ART 131 Drawing I Credits: 3 ³
Communications/Humanities Elective Credits: 3 ² (Do not take ART 111 )

8 Weeks Session 2

ART 114 Art History Survey I Credits: 3
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry Credits: 3

16 Weeks Full Term

ART 121 Two-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 ⁴

Total Credits: 16

Spring Semester I

8 Weeks Session 1

Mathematics Elective Credits: 3-4 (Consult Transfer Guide)
Studio/Major Elective Credits: 3 ^{1, 5} (Can be taken in 8 Weeks Session 1 or Full Term, depending on the class. Recommended: ART 132 , ART 135 , ART 281 , or ART 283 )

8 Weeks Session 2

ART 115 Art History Survey II Credits: 3
ENG 112 Writing and Research in the Disciplines Credits: 3

16 Weeks Full Term

ART 122 Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 ⁴
Studio/Major Elective Credits: 3 ^{1, 5}(Can be taken in 8 Weeks Session 1 or Full Term, depending on the class. Recommended: ART 132 , ART 135 , ART 281 , or ART 283 )

Total Credits: 15-16

Summer Semester I

Take one or two courses as desired to reduce hours during the Fall and Spring. Suggested disciplines are Social/Behavioral Sciences or Communications and Humanities/Fine Arts.

Fall Semester II

8 Weeks Session 1

Natural Science Elective Credits: 4
Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective Credits: 3 (Consult Transfer Guide)

8 Weeks Session 2

Pre-major Elective Credits: 3 ¹ (Can be taken 8 Weeks Session 2 or Full term, depending on the class. Recommended: ART 118 , ART 231 , ART 240 , ART 264 , ART 283 , ART 284 )

16 Weeks Full Term

Pre-major Elective Credits: 3 ¹(can be taken 8 Weeks Session 2 or Full term, depending on the class. Recommended: ART 118 , ART 231 , ART 240 , ART 264 , ART 283 , or ART 284 )
Studio/Major Elective Credits: 3 ¹ (Recommended: ART 231 , ART 240 , ART 264 , ART 283 , or ART 284 )
Studio/Major Elective Credits: 3 ¹ (Recommended: ART 231 , ART 240 , ART 264 , ART 283 , or ART 284 )

Total Credits: 16

Spring Semester II

8 Weeks Session 1

Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective Credits: 3 (Consult Transfer Guide)

8 Weeks Session 2

Communications/Humanities Elective Credits: 3 ² (Do not take ART 111 )

16 Weeks Full Term

ART 215 Visual Art Portfolio Credits: 3
Studio/Major Elective Credits: 3 ¹ (Recommended: ART 135 , ART 241 , ART 265 , or ART 283 )
Studio/Major Elective Credits: 1 ¹ (Recommended: ART 135 , ART 241 , ART 265 , or ART 283 )

Total Credits: 13

Notes:

¹ Studio/Major Electives should be chosed based on the intended transfer institution, career path, and studio concentration. Please discuss these selections with your Visual Arts advisor and consult the Transfer Guide.

²Courses must be from two different disciplines and should not include ART 111 Art Appreciation. Consult the Transfer Guide.

³AFA in Visual Arts majors (A10600) should not take the online sections of ART 131 . Visual Arts majors should take the in-person sections of ART 131 .

⁴ For scheduling purposes, ART 121 and ART 122 can be taken in opposite semesters. If you plan to concentrate in a three-dimensional medium (for example Ceramics or Sculpture) you will need to take ART 122 3D Design in fall of your first year and ART 121 2D Design in spring of your first year.

⁵ If you plan to concentrate in a three-dimensional medium you need to take ART 283 Ceramics I or ART 281 Sculpture I. If you plan on concentrating in ceramics, you must take ART 281 in spring of your first year.

^* Students should maintain two studios a semester in order to have the required studio credits to apply for a BFA Program upon Transfer. BFA in Studio Art programs require a BFA Program Review before entry into the program.