Graphic Design
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Graphic Design develops the knowledge and skills required to create graphic designs, including images, layouts, typography, packaging, motion and interactive graphics, and branding in various print and digital media. This certificate prepares students for employment and upgrades the skills of persons employed in occupations such as production artists, graphic designers, and art directors. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Graphic Design is also available.
Details
Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Graphic Design (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5173
Total credits required
34
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:
- Create designs 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 visual, technical, and conceptual problems.
- Analyze design solutions to analyze their effectiveness.
- Apply industry standard tools and research to develop effective media, designs, and workflows.
- Demonstrate collaborative practices.
- Communicate design solutions that meet audience needs and recognize cultural and individual differences.
- Create a collection of works (e.g., capstone, internships, and/or portfolio) that reflect professional competency.
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. 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
$79,070 Show expanded career information for Art Directors
Commercial and Industrial Designers
$105,580 Show expanded career information for Commercial and Industrial Designers
Desktop Publishers
$40,630 Show expanded career information for Desktop Publishers
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
$45,590 Show expanded career information for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Graphic Designers
$56,090 Show expanded career information for Graphic Designers
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$56,690 Show expanded career information for Special Effects Artists and Animators
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 Pathway Planner 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.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| AVC142 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 | ||
| AVC183 | Digital Graphic Arts I | Critical course | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC169 | 2D Media Design | 3 | ||
| AVC178 | Digital Arts Studies | 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 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | Select from the list below. | 3 |
Restricted Electives
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC175 | Electronic Publishing Design I | 3 | ||
| AVC289 | Computer Illustration | 3 | ||
| AVC103 | Typography in the Digital Age | 3 | ||
| AVC150 | Multimedia Storytelling | 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.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART113 or AVC114 | Color or Digital Color | 3 | ||
| AVC178 | Digital Arts Studies | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC169 | 2D Media Design | 3 | ||
| AVC183 | Digital Graphic Arts I | Critical course | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC142 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 | ||
| AVC283 | Digital Graphic Arts II | 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC/MMT190 | Art of Web Site Design | 3 | ||
| AVC248 or ART255 | Design Self Promotion or Art Marketing | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE | Restricted Elective | Select from the list below. | 3 |
Restricted Electives
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC175 | Electronic Publishing Design I | 3 | ||
| AVC289 | Computer Illustration | 3 | ||
| AVC103 | Typography in the Digital Age | 3 | ||
| AVC150 | Multimedia Storytelling | 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 |
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.
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/freeForm11?id=187296).
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, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.