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Associate in Fine Arts: Visual Arts

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Program ContactMelania Aguirre-Rabon
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Degrees & Pathways
AFA - Associate in Fine Arts
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  • Transfer Course List

The Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) in Visual Arts program allows students the opportunity to explore their creative and technical skills while building a strong foundation in artistic practice.

Art history courses provide a grounding in the history and context of the visual arts, while studio courses provide hands-on experience in a variety of traditional and digital media:

  • Drawing
  • Design
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture
  • Digital art
  • Graphic design
  • Portfolio development

The AFA in Visual Arts degree consists of at least 60 semester hours of University Transfer courses, including 15 required credits in studio and art history courses.

The program can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students are welcome to pursue the AFA on a part-time or evening basis as well.

Apply now

Required art history classes

  • ART-114: Survey of Art History I
  • ART-115: Survey of Art History II

The two courses can be taken in any order. ENG-002 or equivalent must be taken before registering for either course.

Required studio classes

Studio art classes help students build their technical and composition foundation skills for transfer and provide opportunities for media exploration. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) transfer are often required to pass a portfolio review at their transfer institution. This will include artwork from the AFA program, as well as work completed during their first semester at the receiving institution. Taking one or two studio art classes each semester is important for creative development and portfolio preparation.

Students should take these core art studio courses before registering for elective studio courses:

  • ART-121: Two-Dimensional Design
  • ART-122: Three-Dimensional Design
  • ART-131: Drawing I

Studio classes meet for six contact hours, are offered in the Fall and Spring semesters and can be taken in any order. They are restricted to AFA in Visual Arts students.

Elective studio classes

In addition to the five core art history and studio classes, a variety of elective studio and art history classes are offered for students pursuing an AFA degree or BFA transfer to build skills, enable creative exploration and meet the prerequisites required in the major area. Check the Course Descriptions page for more information.

Some studio classes are offered online with a required synchronous virtual component. Hybrid and in-person studio classes are offered at Southern Wake Campus and Scott Northern Wake Campus. Elective courses are not offered every semester or at both campuses.

Students have access to exhibition opportunities on both campuses, as well as access to the Triangle's dynamic arts and cultural resources. The Visual Arts Success and Engagement Center (VASE) provides students with access to resources and opportunities in the arts.

Students are encouraged to use the AFA advising checklist as a reference for determining AFA degree requirements.

BFA transfers

The AFA in Visual Arts is a statewide curriculum with transfer agreements to university BFA programs, UNC System universities and independent colleges.

The AFA-to-BFA statewide agreement ensures that students can transfer seamlessly with 60-61 credits from the AFA into a BA or BFA program. Important criteria for this agreement include the following:

  • Students need to be accepted into the university – acceptance is not guaranteed.
  • Earn a "C" or better in all classes taken at Wake Tech
  • Take at least 25% of classes at Wake Tech
  • Graduate with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA

Students intending to transfer to a four-year university should thoroughly research the specific BFA requirements applicable to their program of choice:

  • Appalachian State University
  • East Carolina University
  • UNC-Asheville
  • UNC-Chapel Hill
  • UNC-Charlotte
  • UNC-Greensboro
  • Western Carolina University
  • Savannah College of Arts and Design
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University

Career Outlook


  • Producer or Director
    36520.10
    Starting Salary
    77699.35
    Median Annual Wage
    10%
    Growth*
  • Art Director
    37391.34
    Starting Salary
    77092.31
    Median Annual Wage
    12%
    Growth*
  • Multimedia Artist and Animator
    36072.17
    Starting Salary
    71998.31
    Median Annual Wage
    15%
    Growth*
  • Commercial and Industrial Designer
    43684.04
    Starting Salary
    74004.58
    Median Annual Wage
    5%
    Growth*
  • Graphic Designer
    30168.48
    Starting Salary
    55920.78
    Median Annual Wage
    7%
    Growth*
USA Wake County *Estimated job growth over 10 years.
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