top of page

Visual Art A.A.

Program Information

Visual Art, AA (VART-AA)

The Visual Art Program is designed to expand the student’s creative potential through a series of studio courses and academic electives. Students explore a range of media, solve visual problems, build formal, technical, and conceptual skills. The program prepares students for transfer to four-year programs in art. Additionally, the Photography Option prepares students for entry level positions in photography.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates should be able to: 

  • Integrate skills, techniques, and the safe use of materials and equipment necessary for studio art creation.

  • Combine an understanding of art, design concepts, critical thinking, and problem solving in order to apply these skills to art processes using a variety of media.

  • Communicate and critique art and concepts using specific art vocabulary.

  • Apply a strong fine arts foundation and high quality, relevant coursework in preparation for career or transfer.

  • Analyze and evaluate the historical and cultural context of selected works of art.

  • Develop an understanding of the principles and elements of two- and three-dimensional design and their applications to various studio disciplines.

Visual Art General Education Core (21-24 credits)

Visual Art Program Core (24 credits)

Visual Art Electives (15 credits)

Directed Studio Art Electives* (Choose two 6 contact hour courses) Credits: 6

Directed Studio Art or Graphic Design or Digital Graphics Electives* (Choose two 6 contact hour courses) Credits: 6

Open Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 60-63

Visual Art: Design, AA (VART-AA-DSN)

This program prepares students with a foundation of courses in art, graphic design, and digital media. This provides our students with a broad range of skills and the opportunity to explore a variety of career options.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates should be able to: 

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the skills that are required in today’s graphic design industry.

  • Attain an expanded awareness and a critical understanding of graphic design products.

  • Demonstrate proficiency with graphic design and digital media software that are industry standards.

Design Option Courses (15 credits)

Choose two electives from the following (6 credits)

Directed Electives: Choose one elective from the following (3 credits)

Total Credits: 60-63

Visual Art: Illustration, AA (VART-AA-ILL)

This program prepares students with a foundation of courses in art and provides them with an opportunity to pursue a career as an illustrator or in a related field that includes animation, cartooning, and fine arts.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates should be able to: 

  • Become competent in a variety of artistic and digital media.

  • Develop the ability to identify, analyze, and solve design problems.

  • Obtain an understanding of the aesthetics of illustration and of the history and current state of design. 

  • Become proficient in the selection and use of relevant technologies and computer software in illustration. 

  • Ability to use available software and non-digital processes to sketch, model, and produce an illustration. 

  • Design and develop an illustration from sketch to mockup to finished process.

  • Become proficient in presenting work as well as discussing and constructively critiquing the work of others.

Illustration Option Courses (15 credits)

  • GRA 2201 - Illustration I Credits: 3

  • ART or GRA elective (6 contact hour course) Credits: 3 (Legacy DGA courses will also fulfill this requirement.) 

Choose two electives from the following (6 credits):

Choose one elective from the following (3 credits):

Total Credits: 60-63

Visual Art: Photography, AA (VART-AA-PHO)

The Photography Option, Visual Art associate degree program provides students with a series of courses that introduces fundamental photographic concepts and techniques and the necessary skills to transfer to the institution of their choice or succeed in an entry-level photography position.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates should be able to: 

  • Demonstrate an understanding of terminology, concepts and techniques relating to photography.

  • Demonstrate the ability to use a camera’s creative controls to manifest intent.

  • Demonstrate proficiency at traditional silver darkroom techniques including 35mm and medium format film processing and printing.

  • Demonstrate proficiency at digital image capture, editing and output.

  • Be able to use a variety of situation-specific natural and studio lighting techniques.

  • Identify vocational and creative applications of the medium and an understanding of its cultural, historical and contemporary context.

  • Be able to articulate and explain the decisions made as part of the image production process.

  • Develop a quality photography portfolio.

Photography Option Courses (15 credits)

Choose three photo/video electives (9 credits)

Total Credits: 60-63

Art Studies - CSCU Transfer Degree, AA (ARTT-AA-TAP)

This program is a CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree in Visual Art, A.A. that is intended for Connecticut Community College students to transfer to Connecticut State Universities (Southern CT State University, Central CT State University, Eastern CT State University, Western CT State University) and Charter Oak State College without either losing any credits or being required to take extra credits in order to complete a bachelor’s degree in that same discipline.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Technical Competency
    Introduce students to traditional and contemporary visual art media, methods, materials, and processes

  • Communication Competency
    Students begin to learn to communicate ideas about the visual arts through oral, visual and written expression, using appropriate terminology.

  • Contextual Analysis
    Students will come to understand, discuss and critique diverse contemporary and historical perspectives in visual art

  • Conceptual Analysis
    Students are introduced to how the elements and principles of art and design transform ideas into visual expression

  • Professional Practice
    Students are introduced to professional, ethical, and collaborative behaviors as they relate to a variety of career and studio environments

Framework Courses (30-33 credits)

Pathway Courses (30 credits)

Restricted Electives

Select 2- 3 courses from the list below with no more than one course from a single group. Credits- 6-9

Open Electives

This will be 3 or 4 courses depending on the choices made for the Restricted Electives above. Credits: 9-12

You are free to choose any courses at or above 1000-level to complete unrestricted electives, although you may need to use these credits to take courses that prepare you for required courses in the degree program.  You should also consider using unrestricted electives to meet foreign language requirements for your program.  You can also complete other General Education requirements for CCSU, SCSU, WCSU and COSC- but not more than two requirements for ECSU.  You are encouraged to meet with your advisor to determine which courses to select.

Total Credits 60-63
Molly Jacobsen_Unity_digital scan_10x9.jpg

Get in Touch

Timothy.kussow@ctstate.edu

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
bottom of page