Program Details
Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts
Associate of Fine ArtsVirginia Peninsula Community College
The Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts is designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges or universities and seek a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts. This program is intended to provide students with a general course of study that parallels the freshman and sophomore years at most colleges and universities. The courses in this program are specifically selected for ease of transfer to most four-year colleges and universities. Following the prescribed coursework in this program will result in graduation with the Associate of Fine Arts degree (AFA). Students should consult with their advisors to ensure that they select electives that best prepare them for the specific requirements of their intended transfer college or university programs of study.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://catalog.vpcc.edu/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=2654 |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) offers accessible education and workforce training to Virginia Peninsula residents. VPCC offers excellent educational programs developed in collaboration with other educational and industry partners, offered at affordable tuition, convenient locations, and flexible schedules. VPCC faculty deliver high-quality instruction and the small class sizes allow for more personalized attention for students. VPCC prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions or to gain employment in in-demand careers. VPCC offers scholarships, internships, and is nationally recognized for serving military members and their families. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/admissions/why.html |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | The student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance and program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance and program placement |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Virginia's community colleges offer students more than the opportunity to earn a degree or certificate; they provide a gateway to the Commonwealth's four-year colleges. Through system-wide negotiated agreements, students who graduate from a Virginia community college with an associate degree and the minimum grade point average required by the four-year college are guaranteed admission to many of the Commonwealth's colleges and universities. Students should review the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for the four-year institution they wish to attend to learn more about the process: https://www.vpcc.edu/services/advising/transfer.html |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Visual Art, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: English Specialization, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Glass) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Art (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Theater (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Studio Art (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Arts Management - Film (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Art History (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Graphic Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Graphic and Animation Design BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Graphic Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Art: Graphic Design (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | BFA in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | Online |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Cinema, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Photography and Media, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Photography and Film with concentration in Filmmaking, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Photography and Film with concentration in Photography, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in Studio Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Art Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Art: Studio (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: Art History Specialization, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Art History, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Art History-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Studio Art-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Art History, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Ferrum College | B.A. in Art, Studio Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Art History | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Studio Art, Concentration in Photography and Video Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Studio Art, Concentration in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History, Major in Studio Art, Concentration in 2D and 3D Media | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Architectural Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Industrial Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BA in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BFA in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with Education Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Art (Studio)/Art History - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Fine Art-BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Graphic Design-BFA (Fine Arts) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | Not Specified |
Old Dominion University | Art Education-BFA (Fine Arts) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | Not Specified |
Ferrum College | B.A. in Art, Ceramics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Ferrum College | B.A. in Art, Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
University of Lynchburg | BA in Art - Art Therapy Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BA in Art - Graphic Design Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BA in Art - Studio Art Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1013.00 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
13-2022.00 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
25-4011.00 | Archivists | Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1012.00 | Craft Artists | Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-4012.00 | Curators | Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-4013.00 | Museum Technicians and Conservators | Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1011.00 | Art Directors | Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1024.00 | Graphic Designers | Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1014.00 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
15-1255.01 | Video Game Designers | Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed. | Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
15-1255.00 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links. | Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
Cost To Complete
