Associate in Arts for Transfer in Studio Arts

The field of studio art covers a wide range of topics. The department offers courses in drawing, design, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and art history. This major is designed to give students exposure to basic information in the discipline and provide the opportunity to focus on the areas that best suit their individual needs. Students should consult with a departmental adviser and/or counselor when choosing both controlled and general electives to develop a program of study that is best suited to their specific needs. For example, requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree in Studio Arts vary from one institution to another. It is, therefore, essential to become familiar with the requirements of the institution a student plans to attend.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Studio Arts provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to California State University CSU-impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program.

The Art Department’s mission is to provide students an innovative and comprehensive foundations level education in Art and Art History. Our faculty foster material experimentation, creative thinking, intellectual rigor and an informed world view. We encourage debate and exposure to differing viewpoints as an essential part of artistic and academic growth. The department is committed to an innovative, inclusive, and equitable pedagogy and works toward the success of every student.

We offer multiple modality learning environments through a) an art studio or art history curriculum for Art majors b) a structured program for majors from other departments such as Multimedia Arts, Interior Design, Graphic Design or Photography or c) as an important complement to coursework for students in a wide variety of majors across the SBCC campus. The department offers courses in two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design, drawing, painting, printmaking, artists’ books, ceramics, sculpture and art history to provide the student a full background and the necessary training to either transfer to another institution or proceed independently. We see many of our students successfully move on to art schools, four year institutions and professional careers. We also have exhibition and professional development opportunities available to students through our Atkinson Gallery programming and lecture series.

Art History faculty hold PhDs and Studio faculty hold MFA degrees and also maintain their studio practice as an integral function of their commitment to solid pedagogy. Each full time faculty acts as coordinator of the following media specific service areas.

SBCC offers a Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG). A TAG is a contractual agreement between the student, SBCC, and specific four-year colleges or universities. This includes six University of California ( *UC) institutions, six California State Institutions (CSU), seven California private institutions, nine out-of-state institutions, as well as Honors Transfer Agreements with ten institutions and 8 CSUs without campus impaction. Students must enroll in the TAG program and work with a TAG advisor. Please click here to learn more on the TAG program website.