Associate Degree in Art
Alameda, USA
Associate Degree
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 13,410
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The art department introduces a diversity of students to the world of art with classes in studio art and art history. Our mission is to create courses to help you fulfill general education requirements, earn a degree in fine art, begin a career in art, or engage with artistic creativity as a lifelong learner.
What you will learn
The art department is a diverse, open, and interesting community of learners. Art classes such as painting and drawing offer ways for you to explore creativity with an emphasis on personal expression. You’ll be encouraged to experiment with problems of design. Art history classes examine the world of visual culture, as you actively study and reflect upon the variety of artistic forms people have produced.
In addition:
- you are engaged in the learning of fundamental skills in all classes
- all courses are taught by experienced artists and/or art historians
- people in classes are actively involved with creative thinking
- you may earn an AAT degree in Studio Arts or in Art History
- you may begin to address a career as an Artist, Art Educator, or Art Historian
Scholarships provide students with opportunities to attend college, advance their knowledge and skills for career readiness and help them prepare for both academic opportunities and financial challenges after transfer. This website provides information and resources to assist students in how to begin their search for scholarship opportunities. Note that requirements and deadlines vary among every scholarship.
College of Alameda Promise
The College of Alameda (COA) Promise is a pathway for Alameda high school graduates to access a quality college education. Eligible students will receive a year of college without fees.
Peralta Foundation Scholarships
Each semester, the Peralta Colleges Foundation is committed to providing students with access to post-secondary education and persistence services so they can complete college prepared for a successful career. The Peralta Promise enables qualifying students to attend their first semester at one of the Peralta Colleges – Laney College, Merritt College, College of Alameda, or Berkeley City College – for free!
External Scholarships
Here is a list of general scholarships that are available for community college students. Not every scholarship has a citizenship requirement. Review the following scholarships for your eligibility.
Recommended Course Sequence
| Title | Course | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ART 20 | Beginning Drawing and Composition | 3 |
| MATH 15 | Mathematics for Liberal Arts Students | 3 |
| COMM 6 COMM 45 | Intercultural Communication or Public Speaking | 3 |
| ART 46 | 2-D Visual Design | 3 |
| HUMAN 1 HUMAN 13A | Introduction to Humanities or Myths, Symbols, and Folklore | 3 |
Total Number of Units: 15
| ART 22 | Intermediate Drawing & Composition | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ART 50 | Beginning Painting | 3 |
| ENGL 1A ENGL 1AS | Composition and Reading or Composition and Reading (w/ support) | 4 or 5 |
| ART 60 | Beginning Painting: Watercolor | 2 |
| LIS 85 LIS 74 | Introduction to Information Resources or Information Seeking Behavior | 2 or 3 |
| KIN 54A DANCE 92 | Cross Fitness I - Fundamentals or Salsa I | 1 |
Total Number of Units: 15-17
| ART 52 | Intermediate Painting | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1 | Introduction to Art History | 3 |
| ANTHR 1 BIOL 24 | Introduction to Physical Anthropology or Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 or 4 |
| MUSIC 15A SOC 5 | Jazz, Blues, and Popular Music in the American Culture or Sociology of Minority Groups | 3 |
| ART 90 | Mixed Media or History of Modern Art (1800 to Present) | 3 |
Total Number of Units: 15-16
| ART 53 | Advanced Painting | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| PSYCH 18 SOC 1 | Psychology of Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. or Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ART 122 | World Art | 3 |
| ART 62 | Intermediate Painting: Watercolor | 3 |
| ART 54 | Special Projects: Painting | 3 |
| DANCE 68 | Modern Dance I | 3 |
Total Number of Units: 15
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving — Synthesis of art history studies and art studio innovation to promote decision making, problem-solving, and empower the individual in society.
- Creativity — Development of artistic creative skills to foster aesthetic reflection in life activities.
- Communication — Productive knowledge of the breadth of world creativity in order to respond, form positions, and make decisions in daily life.
What can I do with a degree in Art?
Art and Art History open pathways to careers that include: Art Historians, Art Curators, Arts Educators, Museum and Gallery Administrators, Fine Artists, and Multimedia Artists. Art majors rely upon their ingenuity and creativity throughout life. Artists are lifelong learners.