Color Your Future with the Fine Arts Transfer Major Degree
Turn your creativity into a career with the Fine Arts Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes Community College. This program provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum designed for aspiring artists, offering a strong foundation in studio practice and academic coursework.
You’ll develop your artistic voice and technical skills through hands-on experience in painting, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, sculpture, metals, photography, and drawing. With an Associate in Arts (AA) degree in Fine Arts, you can launch your career as a practicing artist or transfer to a four-year institution to further your education in the arts.
This program fulfills general education prerequisites for Iowa’s regent universities, including the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa, and Iowa State University, and enriches your creative skills with specialized coursework in Drawing, Art History, and 2-D Design.
Since transfer requirements can vary, working closely with an advisor will ensure you meet the specific needs of your chosen university. To earn a Transfer Major Degree, complete all required coursework and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Explore career opportunities in the arts and salary expectations through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ready to bring your artistic dreams to life? Connect with an enrollment coach today!
Find Your It!
Build Your Artistic Future with a Strong Foundation
A Pathway to Professional and Academic Growth
Whether you aspire to be a working artist, gallery curator, museum professional, or art educator, this program provides the essential skills and academic foundation to help you reach your goals. You’ll explore traditional and contemporary art techniques through immersive studio courses while building a strong portfolio.
Seamless Transfer Opportunities
This degree is designed to align with transfer pathways and ensures you meet university requirements while gaining valuable hands-on experience. Work closely with faculty and advisors to tailor your coursework to your future institution, making your transition to a bachelor’s program smooth and successful.
Program Highlights:
- Transfer-Ready: Fulfill general education prerequisites for regent universities like the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University.
- Skill Development: Build a strong foundation with courses in Drawing, Art History, and 2-D Design.
- Guided Pathway: Work closely with an advisor to ensure you meet specific transfer requirements for your chosen university.
Program Details
Length
4 Terms
Degree
Associate in Arts (64 credits)
Campus
Estherville
Training
On-Campus Studio
Additional Information
Term 1
ART 133 – Drawing
The course uses a variety of approaches and techniques to develop and enhance the student’s drawing skills. Exploration and experimentation with alternative drawing materials and methods will be strongly encouraged and supported.
ART 203 – Art History I
Art History I is a survey of art history from the Paleolithic period to the Renaissance period. General artistic trends from each period and specific styles and innovations will be introduced and compared with the individual cultures and lifestyles of the people(s) involved.
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
Math: 3 credits
Term 2
ART 134 – Drawing II
The course is a continuation of ART-133 designed to continue the development and enhancement of the student’s drawing skills. Further exploration and experimentation with alternative drawing materials and methods will be encouraged.
Prerequisites: ART 133 – Drawing
ART 204 – Art History II
Art History II is a survey of art history from the Renaissance period to the Post-Modern period. General artistic trends from each period and specific styles and innovations will be introduced and compared with the individual cultures and lifestyles of the people(s) involved.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
Math: 3 credits
Social Science: 3 credits
Term 3
ART 121 – 2-D Design
This foundation course focuses on the general knowledge and essential skills used in creating two dimensional designs. Fundamental design concepts including the use of the elements and principles of design, along with color theory, are introduced through a variety of hands-on-experiences.
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose SPC 101, SPC 112, or SPC 122
Humanities: 3 credits
Science: 4 credits
Elective: 3 credits
Term 4
ART 123 – 3-D Design
3-D Design is an introductory art course for both art and non-art majors. Topics include an overview of elements, principles, strategies, materials and processes relevant to the interpretation and execution of three-dimensional compositions.
Science: 4 credits
Social Science: 6 credits
Elective: 3 credits
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
By obtaining an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from Iowa Lakes, you will learn the following:1
Communications:
- Students are able to communicate clearly, both written and oral using the correct medium.
- Students are able to support ideas with appropriate and adequate information.
Sciences:
- Demonstrate safe laboratory practices.
- Apply scientific inquiry/scientific method to answer questions about the natural world.
Mathematics:
- Apply mathematical methods to solve real world problems.
- Evaluate the validity of mathematical solutions.
Social Sciences:
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in written and oral communication.
- Students will critique the diversity of human experience, individually and collectively.
Humanities:
- Respond critically using established aesthetic principles or criteria, or an ethical judgement of specific examples as it relates to the discipline.
- Express the principles of the discipline within the global community by using the language, syntax, and cultural context of the discipline appropriately.
Computers:
- Integrate the technology necessary in the workplace environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge in utilizing software application tools.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Associate in Arts degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Transfer data to Iowa Regent Universities
First Year University GPA
Note: This is the average of transfer with associates and transfer, no associates
2.94
Average Retention One Year After Transferring to a Regent University
86%
Average University Graduation Rates Three Years After Entry to a Regent University
58%
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Trevor Friesner Academic Advisor 712-362-7984 | tfriesner@iowalakes.edu |