Missouri Community Colleges
Art Programs
Art and visual-arts coursework at community colleges in this state. Studio art, art history, and design-track classes for fine-arts transfer.
8 colleges · 344 sections · 119 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Missouri community college art programs span studio art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics) and applied design (graphic design, digital media, illustration). The 344 sections across 8 MCCA colleges this term include intro studio courses, art history, design fundamentals, and software-specific training (Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Blender for 3D).
Two distinct outcomes: the studio-art associate is largely transfer-prep for BFA programs at four-year art schools; the graphic-design AAS is a direct-to-career credential preparing students for entry design roles, agency junior positions, and in-house marketing teams. Compare colleges below — programs with strong portfolio-development emphasis place graduates better than those focused purely on technique.
Colleges offering Art
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Art is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | 110 | 29 | 18 |
| St Charles Community College | 63 | 36 | 10 |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | 48 | 11 | — |
| State Fair Community College | 36 | 12 | 5 |
| East Central College | 25 | 18 | 3 |
| Jefferson College | 24 | 16 | 5 |
| Crowder College | 20 | 9 | 6 |
| Mineral Area College | 18 | 13 | 1 |
Art Availability Snapshot
How art sections are being offered across 8 colleges in Missouri this term (344 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person283 (82%)
- online48 (14%)
- hybrid13 (4%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)126
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)109
- Evening (5 PM and after)29
- Asynchronous / TBA80
Start dates
Sections begin on 9 distinct dates. 26 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 77 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Saint Louis Community College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
62 credits- ART 101Art History - Prehistory to 1300 (MOTR ARTS 101)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 102Art History - 1300 to Present (MOTR ARTS 102)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 103History of Modern Art (MOTR ARTS 100)(0 cr)not offered+ plan
- ENG 101College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ENG 102College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200)(0 cr)not offered+ plan
- COM 101Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100)(0 cr)not offered+ plan
- COM 107Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110)(0 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 140Two-Dimensional Design(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 207Three-Dimensional Design(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 109Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 110Drawing II(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 111Figure Drawing I(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 112Figure Drawing II(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 210Advanced Drawing(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- AT 291Fine Art Portfolio and Professional Practices(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 131Computer Art Studio(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 172Digital Photography (MOTR PERF 105GA)(0 cr)not offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
St Charles Community College7 programs
Common Art courses
- ART 101Art Appreciation(43 sections)
- ART 110Ceramics I(17 sections)
- ART 100ART AND EXPERIENCE(16 sections)
- ART 108Survey of Art(14 sections)
- ART 112Drawing III(14 sections)
- ART 120DRAWING I(14 sections)
- ART 111Drawing II(10 sections)
- ART 113Drawing IV(10 sections)
- ART 1001Art Appreciation(8 sections)
- ART 105Topics in Art(6 sections)
- ART 170Typography(6 sections)
- ART 103Survey Art I(6 sections)
Career outlook for Art graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Missouri’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Missouri's typical pay is about 9% below the typical state — common for lower cost-of-living states, but worth weighing against tuition savings.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I be a graphic designer with just a community-college degree?
- Yes — the AAS in graphic design is a complete entry-level credential, and most Missouri programs are designed to build a portfolio strong enough for junior designer roles. Hiring is heavily portfolio-driven; the degree gets you in the door but your portfolio determines whether you get the role. Software fluency (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is table stakes.
- Will my art credits transfer to a BFA program?
- Studio courses (drawing, painting, sculpture) typically transfer as elective credit toward a BFA but may not fulfill specific BFA major-requirement slots — BFA programs usually want their own foundation sequence. Art history and gen-ed courses transfer cleanly. The associate of fine arts (AFA) is the strongest transfer-prep pathway if you know you'll continue to a BFA; check articulation agreements with target schools.
- What's the difference between studio art and graphic design programs?
- Studio art is fine-art-oriented (creating original work, often for galleries or commission); graphic design is commercial-art-oriented (creating work to client briefs for marketing, branding, packaging, web). The career economics are very different — graphic designers have many more entry roles available; studio artists typically need to build a separate career while developing their practice.
- Do I need to be 'good at art' to start?
- Less than you'd think for graphic design — the program teaches design principles and software from the foundation up. Studio art programs assume more foundational drawing skill but most Missouri CCs offer beginner-level studio courses; the question is whether you have time and motivation to put in the hours of practice that any visual-art career requires.
Compare Art programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Missouri’s art programs stack up.
Other programs in Missouri
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.