Jan 28, 2026  
25-26 Academic Catalog 
  
25-26 Academic Catalog

Associate in Fine Arts

Location(s): Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Campus


Associate in Fine Arts Code: 1245
Total minimum credits required: 62

Contact artdesign@bhc.edu for information; Advising Center, 309-796-5100, Rm 1-213; East Campus Advising Center, 309-854-1709

The Associate in Fine Arts in Art provides preparation for students planning to major in art at a four-year institution pursuing the BFA in Art. It is also appropriate for those who seek foundation-level training to work as a fine artist, graphic designer, illustrator, media designer, or animator. This degree includes successful completion of ART 289 - Portfolio Development  the semester prior to graduation, and the satisfactory evaluation of a final graduation portfolio that is representative of art program coursework at Black Hawk College. Students will meet with a program advisor to determine career/transfer objectives and assess portfolio needs/strengths. Additional coursework or internships may be advised to strengthen portfolio work or develop additional skills.

All Design fields and most BFA Studio programs require a second semester portfolio review prior to being admitted to the degree program. Demonstrated proficiency and specific grade point averages may be required. Most coursework will be accepted but additional work to strengthen the portfolio may be required prior to admission thus delaying the time to degree completion. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their preference of transfer institution prior to their sophomore year for specific admission advice.

Each student who is awarded an Associate in Fine Arts degree by the College shall have completed thirty-seven (37) credit hours of general education:

First Semester


Second Semester


Fourth Semester


Minimum Total Hours Required for Degree: 62


* Recommended studio course

Communication


3 courses (9 semester credits), including a two-course sequence in writing (6 semester credits) and one course (3 semester credits) in oral communication. A grade of “C” or better in ENG 101 /ENG 101C  and ENG 102  is required for those courses to be eligible to be included in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum.

Mathematics


1 course (3 semester credits) in mathematics required.

Choose One:


Physical & Life Sciences


2 courses (7-8 semester credits) with one course selected from the life sciences and one course from the physical sciences and including at least one laboratory course, or both NSCI 101  and NSCI 102 .

Humanities and Fine Arts


4 courses (12 semester credits), with two courses selected from humanities and two courses from the fine arts.

Social and Behavioral Sciences


2 courses (6 semester credits), with courses selected from at least two disciplines.

In Addition to Meeting General Education Requirements, Students Must Also Meet the Following:


  1. A grade of “C” or better in English 101 and English 102 is required for graduation. Students transferring courses equivalent to English 101 and 102 to Black Hawk College must have a grade of “C” or better in those courses in order to obtain transfer credit.
  2. A total of sixty-two (62) credit hours with a “C” (2.0) grade point average or above for all work completed at Black Hawk College.
  3. Student must earn at least 24 credit hours, excluding non-traditional credit options, at Black Hawk College.
    1. No courses numbered below 100 will apply towards satisfying any AFA degree requirements.