Graphic Communications: AFA

Graphic Communications: AFA

Associate in Fine Arts | 60 credit hours minimum

Area of Interest: Communications, Design, and Creative Arts

Program Website

Academic Advising

Program Description:

The Associate of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Communications challenges students to excel in a studio-based, highly creative, and NASAD accredited design education that combines traditional methods of expressiveness with training in contemporary industry-standard technology and equipment.

This program is primarily for students planning to transfer to an accredited four-year art and design university or institute to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts or related degree in design. Graduates will develop advanced skills and knowledge in visual communications, drawing, illustration, digital photography, typography, design software, and design history.

Florissant Valley and Meramec campuses offer complete programs; select courses are offered at the Forest Park and Wildwood campuses.

Locations. This program is offered in its entirety at Florissant Valley and Meramec. 

Related Programs. The Art Department offers an associate in the following area:

Graphic Communications, Associate in Applied Science

Cost of Attendance.  For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES

Program Career and Salary Information.  Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest. 

The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.

Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.   

At the completion of the program, students are expected to:

  1. demonstrate excellence in traditional drawing and illustration.
  2. apply design principles of scale, proportion, rhythm, contrast, emphasis, and unity.
  3. demonstrate knowledge of art and design industry history, standards, tools, and trends.
  4. defend design concepts during the critique process using professional presentation methods.
  5. demonstrate proficient use of art and design industry-standard software.
  6. apply conceptual thinking to generate creative solutions for design problems.
  7. prepare a comprehensive, cohesive portfolio of well-executed art and design projects.

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

Program of Study

General Education
ENG 101College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3
ENG 102College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200)3
or COM 101 Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100)
or COM 107 Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110)
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3
XXX xxxNatural Science with MOTR designation/Mathematics Requirement (MTH 161 preferred or above 100)6
Program Requirements
ART 140Two-Dimensional Design3
ART 109Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D)3
ART 111Figure Drawing I3
ART 110Drawing II3
or ART 112 Figure Drawing II
ART 131Computer Art Studio3
ART 133Graphic Design I3
ART 134Graphic Design II3
ART 138Drawing and Rendering for Graphics3
ART 239Editorial and Commercial Illustration3
ART 240Digital Illustration3
or ART 172 Digital Photography (MOTR PERF 105GA)
ART 233Graphic Design III3
ART 234Graphic Design IV3
ART 236Typography3
AT 242History of Graphic Communications3
ART 245Portfolio Design and Workplace Preparation3
Total Credit Hours60

1 It is recommended that students intending to transfer to an undergraduate art program requiring math should verify transfer institution requirements.  Consultation with advisors at the transfer institution is strongly advised. 

Full-Time Academic Plan

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements.  Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 140 Two-Dimensional Design3Reading Proficiency
ART 131 Computer Art Studio3Reading Proficiency
ART 133 Graphic Design I3Reading Proficiency
ENG 101 College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
Credit Hours12
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 109 Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D)3Reading Proficiency
ART 134 Graphic Design II3ART 140, ART 131, and ART 133 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 111 Figure Drawing I3Reading Proficiency
XXX xxxSocial and Behavioral Science: Civics Requirement3  
MOTR Science/ Math Requirement3 MTH 161 or MTH 161S preferred or any math above 100-level.
Credit Hours15
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 236 Typography3ART 131 and ART 133 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 110 Drawing II
or Figure Drawing II
3ART 109 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 239 Editorial and Commercial Illustration3ART 131 with a minimum grade of "C" and prior or concurrent enrollment in ART 138 and ART 111 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency
ART 233 Graphic Design III3ART 134 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
AT 242 History of Graphic Communications3Reading Proficiency
ART 138 Drawing and Rendering for Graphics3ART 140 and ART 109 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ENG 102 College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200)
or Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100)
or Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110)
3ENG 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours15
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 234 Graphic Design IV3ART 233 and ART 236 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 240 Digital Illustration
or Digital Photography (MOTR PERF 105GA)
3ART 239 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 245 Portfolio Design and Workplace Preparation3ART 236 and ART 134 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
MOTR Science/ Math Requirement3 MTH 161 or MTH 161S preferred or any math above 100-level.
Credit Hours12
Total Credit Hours60

*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.

**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.

*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice.  Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor. 

Part-Time Academic Plan

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements.  Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 140 Two-Dimensional Design3Reading Proficiency
ART 133 Graphic Design I3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 131 Computer Art Studio3Reading Proficiency
ENG 101 College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
Credit Hours6
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 109 Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D)3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 111 Figure Drawing I3Reading Proficiency
ART 134 Graphic Design II3ART 140, ART 131, and ART 133 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 236 Typography3ART 131 and ART 133 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 110 Drawing II
or Figure Drawing II
3ART 109 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics 3  
Credit Hours3
Third Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
AT 242 History of Graphic Communications3Reading Proficiency
ART 138 Drawing and Rendering for Graphics3ART 140 and ART 109 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 239 Editorial and Commercial Illustration3ART 131 with a minimum grade of "C" and prior or concurrent enrollment in ART 138 and ART 111 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency
MOTR Science/Mathematics Requirement3 MTH 161 or MTH 161S preferred or above 100-level.
Credit Hours6
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ENG 102 College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200)
or Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100)
or Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110)
3ENG 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours3
Fourth Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 233 Graphic Design III3ART 134 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 240 Digital Illustration
or Digital Photography (MOTR PERF 105GA)
3ART 239 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 234 Graphic Design IV3ART 233 and ART 236 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 245 Portfolio Design and Workplace Preparation3ART 236 and ART 134 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
MOTR Science/Mathematics Requirement3 MTH 161 or MTH 161S preferred or any math above 100-level.
Credit Hours3
Total Credit Hours60

*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.

**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.

*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice.  Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.