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:

  1. Create 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 visual, technical, and conceptual problems.
  3. Analyze design solutions to analyze 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.

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 annual median wages* for this program. 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.

Art Directors

$83,430

Commercial and Industrial Designers

$77,810

Desktop Publishers

$48,960

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

$52,220

Graphic Designers

$50,740

Special Effects Artists and Animators

$81,310

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC169 2D Media Design 3
AVC178 Digital Arts Studies 3
AVC/MMT190 or
CIS133DA		 Art of Web Site Design or Internet/Web Development Level I 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

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
ART/COM/STO150 Digital 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART113 or
AVC114		 Color or Digital Color 3
AVC178 Digital Arts Studies 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC169 2D Media Design 3
AVC183 Digital Graphic Arts I Critical course 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC283 Digital Graphic Arts II 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT190 or
CIS133DA		 Art of Web Site Design or Internet/Web Development Level I 3
AVC248 or
ART255		 Design Self Promotion or Art Marketing 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RE Restricted Elective Select from the list below. 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
ART/COM/STO150 Digital 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.