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Program Information
Learn more about the Digital Arts program.
General Help
Ask general questions at our support center.
Course Sequence
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Illustration and Sequential Art is designed for the student who wishes to develop an area of specialization in illustration and comics and sequential art. Students will develop narratives through traditional and digital media. The program emphasizes art principles, knowledge, and skills needed to solve design and compositional problems. Areas of emphasis include comic book and sequential art, illustration for publications, and storyboarding. It allows for the development of an individual's personal interest in this area, prepares students for employment, and upgrades skills of those already employed in this field. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of fields including, but not limited to, freelance artist-designer, concept artist, comics/sequential art, visual development artist for gaming/film, and storyboarder. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Illustration and in Sequential Art is also available.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Type
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
- Academic Plan
- Illustration and Sequential Art (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 3203
- Total Credits Required
- 61-74
- Catalog Year
- 2025-2026
- 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:
- Create images to project specifications demonstrating professional competence in research, planning, production, and presentation.
- Apply critical thinking skills, the creative process, and historical and visual literacy to solve complex visual, technical, and conceptual problems.
- Critique images to evaluate their effectiveness.
- Research and apply industry standard tools to develop effective images and workflows.
- Demonstrate professional and collaborative practices, such as communication, time management, organization, and legal and ethical considerations, in diverse settings.
- Collaborate to create visual ideas that recognize diverse opinions and cultural and individual differences.
- Create a collection of works (e.g. capstone, internships, and/or portfolio) that reflect professional competency.
- 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.
Art Directors
$58,370 Show expanded career information for Art Directors
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$28.06
Annual Median Wage
$58,370
Annual Job Openings
126
Number of People Employed
1,025
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 12.7 %
Painters, Sculptors, Illustrators, and Other Fine Artists
$20,731 Show expanded career information for Painters, Sculptors, Illustrators, and Other Fine Artists
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Typical Education Level
some college
Hourly Median Wage
$9.96
Annual Median Wage
$20,731
Annual Job Openings
170
Number of People Employed
1,153
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 23.7 %
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.
Pathway Map Options
There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.
These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.
The list of courses below has been updated
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
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).View requisites | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Mathematics | Mathematics Area |
Critical course
Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area; MAT14+ recommended for students planning to transfer to a university |
3–6 | ||
AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | 1 | |||
AVC177 | Digital Photographic Imaging I | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | |
ART111 | 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
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.View requisites | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).View requisites | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
ARH101 or ARH102 |
Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism | H, HU or H, HU | 3 | ||
AVC169 | 2D Media Design | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 | ||
ART116 | Life Drawing I | 3 | |||
AVC178 | Digital Arts Studies | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Critical course | 3 |
Term 3 Term 3 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 | No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisitesView requisites | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | |
AVC289 | Computer Illustration | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 | ||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
AVC119 | Penciling for Sequential Art | 3 | |||
AVC120 | Inking for Sequential Art | 3 | |||
AVC219 | Coloring, Toning and Lettering for Sequential Art | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (AVC100 and AVC119) or permission of Instructor. AVC120 recommended.View requisites | 3 | ||
CRW172 or CRW176 or CRW190 |
Introduction to Comic Book Writing or Writing Narrative for Video Games or Introduction to Screenwriting | 3 | |||
AVC248 or ART255 |
Design Self Promotion or Art Marketing | 3 | |||
Emphasis | Illustration Emphasis Option | 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. | 3 |
Term 4 Term 4 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 | Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division.View requisites | 1–3 | ||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
AVC220 | Publishing for the Comic Industry | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 | ||
AVC221 | Comics Creation | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (AVC100 and AVC219) or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 | ||
Emphasis | Illustration Emphasis Option | 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. | 3 |
Illustration Emphasis Options
Students must select six (6) credits from the following list of courses. Students may select from one emphasis or may select from different emphases to fulfill the six (6) credit requirement
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVC/MMT184 | Digital Animation I | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ART111 or ART116) or permission of Instructor. Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Animation Emphasis | 3 | |
AVC/MMT185 | 3D Modeling and Animation I | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Animation Emphasis | 3 | |
ART117 | Life Drawing II | Prerequisites: ART116.View requisites | Drawing Emphasis | 3 | |
ART118 | Art Anatomy | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART116 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Drawing Emphasis | 3 | |
ART122 | Drawing and Composition II | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART111.View requisites | Drawing Emphasis | 3 | |
ART165 | Watercolor Painting I | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ART111 and ART112), or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART166 | Watercolor Painting II | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART165.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART167 | Painting I | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ART111 and ART112), or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART168 | Painting II | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART167 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART263 | Figure Painting | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART167 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 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
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mathematics | Mathematics Area |
Critical course
Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area; MAT14+ recommended for students planning to transfer to a university |
3–6 | ||
AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | 1 | |||
AVC177 | Digital Photographic Imaging I | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 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
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).View requisites | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 |
ART111 | Drawing I | 3 |
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 | Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.View requisites | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).View requisites | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARH101 or ARH102 |
Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism | H, HU or H, HU | 3 | ||
AVC169 | 2D Media Design | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART116 | Life Drawing I | 3 | |||
AVC178 | Digital Arts Studies | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Critical course | 3 |
Term 6 Term 6 Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVC289 | Computer Illustration | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 | ||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
CRW172 or CRW176 or CRW190 |
Introduction to Comic Book Writing or Writing Narrative for Video Games or Introduction to Screenwriting | 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. | 3 |
Term 7 Term 7 Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
AVC119 | Penciling for Sequential Art | 3 | |||
AVC120 | Inking for Sequential Art | 3 | |||
AVC248 or ART255 |
Design Self Promotion or Art Marketing | 3 | |||
Emphasis | Illustration Emphasis Option | 3 |
Term 8 Term 8 Term 8
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
AVC219 | Coloring, Toning and Lettering for Sequential Art | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (AVC100 and AVC119) or permission of Instructor. AVC120 recommended.View requisites | 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. | 3 |
Term 9 Term 9 Term 9
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 | No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisitesView requisites | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | |
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
AVC220 | Publishing for the Comic Industry | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 | ||
Emphasis | Illustration Emphasis Option | 3 |
Term 10 Term 10 Term 10
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | SG or SQ | 4 | ||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
AVC221 | Comics Creation | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (AVC100 and AVC219) or permission of Instructor.View requisites | 3 | ||
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 | Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division.View requisites | 1–3 |
Term 11 Term 11
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 | Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division.View requisites | 1–3 | ||
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 | Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division.View requisites | 1–3 |
Illustration Emphasis Options
Students must select six (6) credits from the following list of courses. Students may select from one emphasis or may select from different emphases to fulfill the six (6) credit requirement
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVC/MMT184 | Digital Animation I | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ART111 or ART116) or permission of Instructor. Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Animation Emphasis | 3 | |
AVC/MMT185 | 3D Modeling and Animation I | Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Animation Emphasis | 3 | |
ART117 | Life Drawing II | Prerequisites: ART116.View requisites | Drawing Emphasis | 3 | |
ART118 | Art Anatomy | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART116 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Drawing Emphasis | 3 | |
ART122 | Drawing and Composition II | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART111.View requisites | Drawing Emphasis | 3 | |
ART165 | Watercolor Painting I | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ART111 and ART112), or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART166 | Watercolor Painting II | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART165.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART167 | Painting I | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ART111 and ART112), or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART168 | Painting II | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART167 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 3 | |
ART263 | Figure Painting | Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART167 or permission of Instructor.View requisites | Painting Emphasis | 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.
- FYC = First Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
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=182854).
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 Illustration and Sequential Art