Associate in Applied Science in Graphic Design

Digital Arts
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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Visual and Performing Arts

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Graphic Design develops the knowledge and skills required in the areas of photography, digital imaging, and graphic design. The coursework includes creating graphic designs, including images, layouts, typography, packaging, motion and interactive graphics, and branding in various print and digital media. This degree prepares students for employment and upgrades the skills of persons employed in occupations such as production artists, graphic designers, freelance artist-designers, and art directors. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Graphic Design is also available.

Details

Details icon Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Graphic Design (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3201
Total Credits Required
61-68
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Create complex designs to project specifications, demonstrating professional competence in research, planning, production, and presentation.
  2. Apply critical thinking skills, the creative process, and historical and visual literacy to solve complex visual, technical, and conceptual problems.
  3. Critique design solutions to evaluate their effectiveness.
  4. Apply industry standard tools and research to develop effective media, designs, and workflows.
  5. Demonstrate collaborative practices.
  6. Communicate design solutions that meet audience needs and recognize cultural and individual differences.
  7. Create a collection of works (e.g., capstone, internships, and/or portfolio) that reflect professional competency.
  8. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
Mathematics Mathematics Area Critical course MAT14+ recommended for students planning to transfer to a university 3–6
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I Critical course Gateway course 3
ART111 or
ART116
Drawing I or Life Drawing I 3
ART113 or
AVC114
Color or Digital Color 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
ARH101 or
ARH102 or
ARH110
Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism or History of Graphic Design Students who intend to transfer should choose either ARH101 or ARH102 to fulfill the [HU] requirement for transfer H, HU or H, HU or None 3
AVC169 2D Media Design 3
AVC178 Digital Arts Studies Critical course 3
AVC183 Digital Graphic Arts I Critical course 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design 3
AVC248 or
ART255
Design Self Promotion or Art Marketing 3
AVC283 Digital Graphic Arts II 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
AVC280AA or
AVC280AB or
AVC280AC or
AVC297AA or
AVC297AB or
AVC297AC
Digital Media Arts and Design Capstone or Digital Media Arts and Design Capstone or Commercial Art Internship or Commercial Art Internship or Commercial Art Internship 1–3
RE Restricted Electives 3
Elective General Elective Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete the minimum credits required for this degree. Consult with the Program Director or an Academic Advisor. 0–3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I 3
AVC289 Computer Illustration 3
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3
AVC150 Multimedia Storytelling HU 3
AVC192 Advanced Web Presentation Design 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3
AVC210 Design Tools for Imagery, Production, and Publishing 3
AVC/THO246 Digital Fabrication 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Mathematics Mathematics Area Critical course MAT14+ recommended for students planning to transfer to a university 3–6
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I Critical course Gateway course 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
ART111 or
ART116
Drawing I or Life Drawing I 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART113 or
AVC114
Color or Digital Color 3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ARH101 or
ARH102 or
ARH110
Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism or History of Graphic Design Students who intend to transfer should choose either ARH101 or ARH102 to fulfill the [HU] requirement for transfer H, HU or H, HU or None 3
AVC169 2D Media Design 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC178 Digital Arts Studies Critical course 3
AVC183 Digital Graphic Arts I Critical course 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
AVC283 Digital Graphic Arts II 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC248 or
ART255
Design Self Promotion or Art Marketing 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
RE Restricted Electives 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC280AA or
AVC280AB or
AVC280AC or
AVC297AA or
AVC297AB or
AVC297AC
Digital Media Arts and Design Capstone or Digital Media Arts and Design Capstone or Commercial Art Internship or Commercial Art Internship or Commercial Art Internship 1–3
Elective General Elective Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete the minimum credits required for this degree. Consult with the Program Director or an Academic Advisor. 0–3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I 3
AVC289 Computer Illustration 3
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3
AVC150 Multimedia Storytelling HU 3
AVC192 Advanced Web Presentation Design 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3
AVC210 Design Tools for Imagery, Production, and Publishing 3
AVC/THO246 Digital Fabrication 3

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Digital Arts program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=187297).

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Graphic Design