What it is
The Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) is a two-year arts transfer degree for visual, performing, and music students. It builds a foundation of studio/performance work designed to transfer into a BFA, BA, or BM.
The degrees & designations
The AFA is in the arts:
How long it takes
About two years of full-time study (~60 credits); part-time takes longer, and evening/online options are common.
What you study
Foundation studio, performance, and theory coursework plus general education, aligned to arts transfer requirements and portfolio/audition expectations.
Getting in
Community colleges are often open-enrollment with a high school diploma or GED; some programs (e.g., health) are competitive with prerequisites.
Cost & funding
Associate degrees are typically the lowest-cost path in higher education; aid, grants, and (in some states) tuition-free community college apply.
Where it leads
An AFA transfers into a four-year arts degree (BFA/BA/BM) with a portfolio or audition.
How it compares
Versus the AA, the AFA is arts-intensive; it's a transfer credential, not a career-terminal AAS.
Is it right for you?
An AFA fits arts students who want an affordable, studio-focused start toward a BFA, BA, or BM.
Explore further
This is a reference guide. Keep exploring:
Key facts
- WhatA two-year arts transfer degree
- EmphasisStudio/performance foundation
- Transfers toBFA, BA, or BM
- FieldVisual & Performing Arts
- CostLowest-cost path
Where to learn more
Keep exploring the resource: