Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA)
Maricopa County College District (MCCCD) 2024-2025
Description
The Maricopa County Community College District Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA) degree requires a minimum of 60 semester credits for the program of study; however, minimum total credits for the AAFA vary by specific emphasis. Students must select one of the emphasis areas: Art, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, or Theatre. If an emphasis area is not selected, this program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid. Refer to curriculum.maricopa.edu (click on Current Programs) to search for the corresponding area of emphasis for specific courses required and credit minimums for each emphasis. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 (4.0 scale) and grades of “C” or better are required in all courses to earn the degree. The AAFA degree is governed by the MCCCD General Academic Policies for associate degrees designed for university transfer.
The Associate in Arts, Fine Arts degree includes the following components:
- Program Prerequisites (as specified by emphasis area)
- Required Courses (as specified by area of emphasis)
- Restricted Electives (as specified by area of emphasis)
- Arizona General Education Curriculum for Arts (AGEC-A)
- MCCCD Additional Requirements (Oral Communication and Critical Reading)
- General Electives (if needed to reach minimum credits for degree)
Purpose of the Degree
The Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA) degree is designed for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. In general, the components of the degree meet requirements for majors in the Fine Arts. The degree is designed to prepare students to meet selective admission criteria for programs such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts; program admission may have an additional emphasis-specific portfolio or performance requirements.
In most cases, courses used to satisfy the MCCCD Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA) will apply to general university graduation requirements of the majors that align with AAFA degree; however, students need to pay attention to any specific requirements of their intended focus at the university to be sure they select courses that will meet them. Information regarding the articulation of the AAFA degree with majors at the Arizona public universities can be accessed via the following website: aztransfer.com/tools
Degree Requirements
The requirements for the Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA) follow. The Associate in Arts, Fine Arts degree requires at least 60 credits; however, minimum total credits for the AAFA vary by specific emphasis (Art, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, or Theatre). Refer to curriculum.maricopa.edu (click on Current Programs) to search for the corresponding area of emphasis for specific courses required and credit minimums; review course sequence at maricopa.edu/degrees-certificates. The following websites identify the courses that apply to the different General Education Core and Awareness Areas: AGEC-A and the AGEC matrix at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/agec.woa/3/wa/agecMatrixReport?inst=001075. Courses available for both Areas during a current or upcoming semester can also be found using the “Find a Class” tool on maricopa.edu and on each MCCCD college’s website.
Degree Requirements
- Required Courses - Credits: Number Varies
Students must complete FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success and the required (major-specific) courses listed in the Associate in Arts Fine Arts degree Required Courses area for the specific emphasis (Art, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, or Theatre). Refer to curriculum.maricopa.edu (click on Current Programs) to search for the corresponding area of emphasis for specific courses required and credit minimums for each emphasis.
- Restricted Electives - Credits: Number Varies
Restricted electives for the Associate in Arts, Fine Arts degree vary by specific emphasis: (Art, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, or Theatre). Refer to curriculum.maricopa.edu (click on Current Programs) to search for the corresponding area of emphasis for specific courses required and credit minimums for each emphasis.
- Arizona General Education Curriculum-Arts (AGEC-A) - Credits: up to 44
The AGEC-A requires a minimum of 35 credits (32 if FYC is met by single transfer course)1. However, depending on courses selected, it may take as many as 44 credits to satisfy all the General Education criteria. Any required/restricted elective courses that also have one or more AGEC designation(s) may be applied toward both requirements. Credits for such shared courses are only counted once toward the total credits for the degree.
AGEC designations are subject to change. See AGEC matrix at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/agec.woa/3/wa/agecMatrixReport?inst=001075 for each course's value(s) in the semester it is taken. Some of the courses may have been approved for more than one designation. Notes below will show how such courses may be used to meet multiple degree requirements.- 1
FYC may be met with fewer than 6 credits if student has transfer credit from ASU, NAU or UAZ for a single course that meets FYC in full.
Course List Code Title Credits First-Year Composition (FYC) ENG101 First-Year Composition 1 3 or ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL ENG102 First-Year Composition 1 3 or ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL Literacy and Critical Inquiry (L) Select three credits 3 Mathematical Applications (MA) Select one of the following: 3-6 College MathematicsCollege Mathematics College Mathematics College Mathematics College Mathematics with Review College Mathematics with Review College AlgebraCollege Algebra/Functions College Algebra/Functions College Algebra/Functions College Algebra/Functions with Review College Algebra/Functions with Review Higher (MA)-approved CourseHigher (MA)-approved general education courseComputer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications (CS) Select three credits 3 Humanities, Arts and Design (HU) Select six credits 6 Social-Behavioral Sciences (SB) Students are encouraged to choose course work from more than one discipline. 6 Natural Sciences (SQ/SG) The lecture courses selected for Natural Sciences must include or be accompanied by the corresponding laboratory courses for a total of four credits each. Credits for lecture and lab components may be combined or each may carry separate credit. At least four credits must be designated as SQ-Science Quantitative. Eight credits of SG-Science General will not satisfy this requirement. 8 Awareness Areas The same course(s) may be used to satisfy one or more Awareness Area(s) as well as other AGEC requirements. Credits for such shared courses may only be counted once. 2 0-6 Cultural Diversity in the United States (C)Global Awareness (G) or Historical Awareness (H) 3- 1
FYC may be met with fewer than 6 credits if student has transfer credit from ASU, NAU or UAZ for a single course that meets FYC in full.
- 2
See AGEC matrix at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/agec.woa/3/wa/agecMatrixReport?inst=001075 for current course values.
- 3
May be met by (HU) and/or (SB) course(s) depending on specific courses selected. (AGEC designations are subject to change. See AGEC matrix at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/agec.woa/3/wa/agecMatrixReport?inst=001075 for each course's value(s) in the semester it is taken.)
- MCCCD Additional Requirements - Credits: 0-6
As noted below, courses in this area may also be applied toward AGEC-A requirements.Course List Code Title Credits Oral Communication Refer to emphasis area (Art, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre) for specific COM courses required from the following list: Select one of the following: 0-3 Introduction to Human Communication (SB) Interpersonal Communication (SB) Public Speaking (L) Small Group Communication (SB) or all of the following (SB):Introduction to Human Communication Part I
and Introduction to Human Communication Part II
and Introduction to Human Communication Part IIIor all of the following (SB):Interpersonal Communication Part I
and Interpersonal Communication Part II
and Interpersonal Communication Part IIICritical Reading Complete one of the following: 0-3 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (L) Demonstrate proficiency as indicated by assessment - General Electives - Credits: 0-25
Select courses 100-level or higher if needed to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits, which is the maximum number of credits accepted toward most degree programs at Arizona’s public universities. Ideally, students should select courses that meet requirements for their major/area of interest and transfer institution. See General Associate Degree Academic Policies for further details, limitations, and guidelines. MCCCD has established recommended courses and sequencing to align with the Fine Arts Emphasis Areas. See maricopa.edu/degrees-certificates for links to these transfer pathways.
Maricopa courses and external courses evaluated as Maricopa equivalents, departmental electives (e.g., HISELC for a history elective), or general electives (GENELC) that are numbered 100 level or higher, and completed with a grade of "C" or higher, may be applied in the elective area, regardless of potential transferability to other institutions. It is recommended, however, that students planning to transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution meet these general elective requirements with courses that are transferable and applicable to their intended university degree. Transfer and major guides are accessible on the following websites: aztransfer.com/tools, curriculum.maricopa.edu, as well as those of individual universities. For appropriate course selection, students should consult with an academic advisor.
**64 semester credits is the maximum accepted toward most degree programs at Arizona’s public universities. Some exceptions apply; consult with an academic advisor for additional transfer pathways.