Fine Art
| Fine Art | |
| Type | Degree program |
|---|---|
| Degree | A.A. |
| Credits | 60 |
| Department | Department of Fine Art |
| Division | Arts & Humanities |
| Institution | Oakridge College |
| Category | Academics & Programs |
Associate of Arts (A.A.)
Total Credits Required: 60
The A.A. in Fine Art is a 60-credit program designed for students who want a practical and academic foundation in studio art, visual composition, creative discipline, art history, and artistic development. This program is intended for students who are beginning serious study in the visual arts and want a structured foundation before moving into advanced studio work, art historical study, design, museum studies, or broader liberal arts pathways.
The program combines general education with foundational coursework in drawing, painting, composition, color theory, three-dimensional form, visual analysis, art history, studio practice, and portfolio development. Students complete studies in communication, cultural understanding, visual literacy, and responsible creative practice alongside department coursework focused on observation, technique, interpretation, and artistic process.
Together, these requirements are intended to prepare students for continued education in fine art, visual arts, art history, museum studies, design, or related creative fields, as well as supervised creative roles that depend on discipline, visual judgment, technical skill, and the ability to present work thoughtfully.
Program Structure
- General Education Requirements: 15 credits
- Department Core Requirements: 30 credits
- Fine Art Electives: 12 credits
- Portfolio Review or Studio Capstone: 3 credits
General Education Requirements
Students complete a focused block of foundational coursework intended to support clear communication, cultural awareness, critical thinking, and responsible academic conduct. This portion of the program gives students the broader liberal arts foundation needed to understand creative work within historical, social, and intellectual contexts.
Department Core Requirements
The core of the program provides structured study in studio art, drawing, painting, composition, color theory, visual form, art history, creative process, and basic critique practice. These courses establish the artistic and academic foundation of the degree.
The program does not assume that students enter Oakridge as fully developed artists. Instead, the core requirements are designed to help students build visual discipline, technical confidence, creative habits, and the ability to discuss their own work and the work of others with care.
Fine Art Electives
Students complete an elective block within the department that allows the program to support approved areas of emphasis in studio practice, visual design, art history, museum studies, illustration, sculpture, mixed media, cultural interpretation, or related creative coursework.
This elective structure allows students to shape the degree toward different artistic or academic interests while remaining within the broader framework of Fine Art.
Portfolio Review or Studio Capstone
In the final stage of the degree, students complete a portfolio review or studio capstone experience designed to bring together artistic skill, visual judgment, creative process, critique, and presentation.
This requirement allows students to demonstrate their ability to develop, organize, explain, and present a body of work in a structured academic or studio setting.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of at least 60 credit hours
- Successful completion of all required departmental coursework
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
- A grade of C or higher in all core program requirements
- Completion of the portfolio review or studio capstone requirement
Program Overview
The A.A. in Fine Art is intended for students seeking a focused foundation in visual art within Oakridge’s Department of Fine Art. The program prepares students for further study in fine art, art history, museum studies, visual design, or related creative fields while also supporting practical readiness for supervised creative and cultural work.
Rather than treating art as talent alone, the degree provides a structured foundation in observation, technique, discipline, visual analysis, critique, and presentation. Within Oakridge’s Department of Fine Art, this program serves students who want to develop their creative ability while learning to understand visual work as part of a larger artistic, historical, and cultural tradition.
OOC / Behind-the-scenes notes
OOC Notes: This is a general RP description of the program. RP Students taking the major are not required to fulfill these requirements. Different RP-related educational expectations might be presented to you when you begin your education.