Be ready. SMC students earn an associate degree when they successfully complete the halfway point of a bachelor’s degree. Two degrees in four years means you’ll get a valuable degree for the first two years of college – something many other colleges don’t offer. A two-year degree can help you earn better pay while you’re finishing up your bachelor’s degree. It can also be a safety net in case you have to pause your college studies for financial, family, or other reasons.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with an associate degree earn approximately $8,000 more per year than those with just a high school diploma. Our Associate in Fine Arts Degree gives you that first step up in career earnings and the pathway to the next set – a bachelor’s degree. 

Click below for a degree plan and check out the classes you’ll take.

Your plan for the future starts with choosing the degree program that works for you. 

While an Associate in Fine Arts provides you the tools and diploma you need to move right into the workforce, it is intended to be the first step in your complete higher education journey. This degree will prepare you to move into a bachelor’s degree program and beyond, further expanding your earning capacity and career options. 

The Associate in Fine Arts Degree prepares you for SMC’s Customizable Bachelor’s Degree or for a four-year degree the visual or performing arts. You may choose a focus area such as music, drama, or art and further hone your skills. You’ll learn the basics of fine arts and more specific skill sets, techniques, and tools in your chosen focus area.

Students who earn an SMC Associate in Fine Arts Degree are fully prepared for a four-year degree program. Those looking to move directly into the workforce can qualify for positions including: 

• Art class assistant 
• Musician 
• Theater actor 
• Gallery administrative assistant 
• Illustrator 

Thanks to our generous scholarship and financial aid opportunities, it’s likely you’ll pay way less than you think for an SMC education. You may even be able to attend tuition-free! Check it out for yourself!