Fine Arts - Associate in Fine Arts
NMSU Alamogordo 2025-2026 Catalog
A grade of C- or better is required in ARTH/ARTS courses.
Total Credits Required for Degree: 60
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Courses specified in the General Education areas below are Program required courses that will also fulfill General Education requirements. | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 |
| or ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | |
| COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1130G | Survey of Mathematics 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 1220G | College Algebra | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Science and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 10 | |
Select one course from Area III: Laboratory Science (4 credits) 2 | ||
Select two courses from Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 2 | ||
| Area V: Humanities | ||
| Select one course from Area V: Humanities. 2 | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative/Fine Arts | ||
| ARTH 2110G | History of Art I 3 | 3 |
| General Education Elective | ||
| ARTH 2120G | History of Art II 3 | 3 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| ARTS 1610 | Drawing I 4 | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Choose seven courses (21 credits) from below. | 21 | |
| Orientation in Art | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ceramics | 3 | |
| Ceramics I | 3 | |
| Introduction to Photography | 3 | |
or FDMA 1545 | Introduction to Photography & Digital Imaging | |
| Painting I | 3 | |
| Photographic Portraiture | 3 | |
| Drawing II | 3 | |
| Painting II | 3 | |
| Painting III | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sculpture | 3 | |
| Special Topics in Studio 5 | 3 | |
| Electives to bring total credits to 60 | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
MATH 1220G College Algebra or MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics is required for the degree but students may need to take prerequisites to enter the course.
- 2
See the General Education Section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
ARTH 2110G History of Art I and ARTH 2120G History of Art II can be taken in any order.
- 4
It is recommended that students take Fine Arts core requirements, specifically ARTS 1610 Drawing I in their first year.
- 5
ARTS 2996 Special Topics in Studio may be repeated up to three times (9 credits total); must be under different subtitles.
NMSU Alamogordo 2025-2026 Catalog
A Suggested Plan of Study - Fine Arts
Additional classes may be needed based on placement test results and course prerequisites. Visit with an advisor for help with creating a customized plan.
A grade of C- or better is required in ARTH/ARTS courses.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ARTH 2110G | History of Art I | 3 |
| ARTS 1610 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| Major Requirements Area Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARTH 2120G | History of Art II | 3 |
| ENGL 2210G or ENGL 2221G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| MATH 1130G or MATH 1220G | Survey of Mathematics 2 or College Algebra | 3 |
| Major Requirements Area Course 1 | 3 | |
| Major Requirements Area Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Science 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 1115G or COMM 1130G | Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking | 3 |
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 | 3 | |
| Major Requirements Area Course 1 | 3 | |
| Major Requirements Area Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 | 3 | |
| Area V: Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| Major Requirements Area Course 1 | 3 | |
| Major Requirements Area Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Choose from:
- ARTH 1115G Orientation in Art;
- ARTS 1310 Introduction to Ceramics;
- ARTS 1320 Ceramics I;
- ARTS 1410 Introduction to Photography or FDMA 1545 Introduction to Photography & Digital Imaging;
- ARTS 1630 Painting I;
- ARTS 2430 Photographic Portraiture;
- ARTS 2610 Drawing II;
- ARTS 2630 Painting II;
- ARTS 2635 Painting III;
- ARTS 2839 Introduction to Sculpture
- ARTS 2996 Special Topics in Studio (may repeat 3 times; must be different subtitles)
- 2
MATH 1220G College Algebra or MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics is required for the degree but students may need to take prerequisites to enter the course.
- 3
See the General Education Section of the catalog for a full list of courses.