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Time-Based Media

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Time-Based Media develops knowledge and skills in the area of time-based media, including but not limited to the production of still and time-based media, media production techniques, compositing, motion graphics, and interactive design. The curriculum is designed to provide the student with an understanding of media and photographic techniques, use of production equipment, media production terminology, media and interactivity applications, and industry practices. This certificate prepares students for employment and upgrades the skills of persons employed in occupational areas such as media production, marketing, publishing, motion graphics, photography, freelance artist designer, and web and interactivity design. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Animation and Time-Based Media is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Time-Based Media (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5170
Total credits required
40
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

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

This CCL is designed for individuals who already have a degree or relevant experience in the field or who are currently employed in the field.

What You'll Learn
  • Create still, interactive, and time-based images to project specifications demonstrating professional competence in research, planning, production, and presentation.
  • Apply critical thinking skills, the design process, and historical and media literacies to solve design problems.
  • Analyze narratives and still, interactive, and time-based media to evaluate their effectiveness.
  • Apply industry standard tools and research to develop effective time-based media, designs, and workflows.
  • Demonstrate professional and collaborative practices.
  • Communicate still, interactive, and time-based media solutions that recognize cultural and individual differences.
  • Create a portfolio of work that reflects current industry practices.
Career Statistics

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.

Film and Video Editors
$50,310
Graphic Designers
$56,090
Photographers
$44,090
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$56,690

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

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.

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
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I View requisites Critical course Gateway course 3
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
ART111 or
ART116 or
AVC150 or
FMT121 or
JRN213		 Drawing I or Life Drawing I or Multimedia Storytelling or Story Theory for Film, Television and Media or Writing for Online None or HU or None or None 3
MUC191 or
MUC122		 Electronic Music I or Sound Design I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT184 Digital Animation I View requisites 3
AVC169 or
AVC178		 2D Media Design or Digital Arts Studies View requisites 3
AVC202 or
FMP108		 Media Productions I or Video Production View requisites Select FMP108 if choosing FMP215 in Term 3. 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC279 or
FMP215		 Media Productions II or Digital Video Effects View requisites FMP215 requires completion of FMP108. 3
RE Restricted Elective 3
RE Restricted Elective 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

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
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I View requisites Critical course Gateway course 3
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
ART111 or
ART116 or
AVC150 or
FMT121 or
JRN213		 Drawing I or Life Drawing I or Multimedia Storytelling or Story Theory for Film, Television and Media or Writing for Online None or HU or None or None 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC169 or
AVC178		 2D Media Design or Digital Arts Studies View requisites 3
AVC/MMT184 Digital Animation I View requisites 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC202 or
FMP108		 Media Productions I or Video Production View requisites Select FMP108 if choosing FMP215 in Term 4. 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC279 or
FMP215		 Media Productions II or Digital Video Effects View requisites FMP215 requires completion of FMP108. 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC191 or
MUC122		 Electronic Music I or Sound Design I 3
RE Restricted Elective 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 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RE Restricted Elective 3

Restricted Electives

Complete twelve (12) credits from courses not already selected in the Required Courses area. Students may choose from one focus area or from among multiple focus areas according to their occupational needs.

Photography Focus Area
ART131 Photography I 3
+ AVC138 Commercial Photography I 3
+ AVC140 Portrait Photography 3
+ AVC143 Intermediate Digital Photography 3
+ AVC270 Digital Photographic Imaging II 3

Audio Focus Area
+ FMP114 Audio Production 3
MUC122 Sound Design I 3
MUC191 Electronic Music I 3
+ MUC192 Electronic Music II 3
MUC195 Studio Music Recording I 3
+ MUC222 Sound Design II 3

Media Production Focus Area
ART/COM/STO145 Digital Storybook 1
+ AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design 3
+ AVC192 Advanced Web Presentation Design 3
AVC/THO246 Digital Fabrication 3
CIS133DA Internet/Web Development Level I 3
+ FMP204 Advanced Video Production 3
+ FMP215 Digital Video Effects 3
+ FMP/FMT151 TV and New Media Production 3

Motion Graphics Focus Area
ART116 Life Drawing I 3
+ AVC/MMT185 3D Modeling for Animation I 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3
+ AVC240 Cinematography and Directing for 2D/3D Animation 3
+ AVC287 3D Character Animation 3
+ FMP215 Digital Video Effects 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.

  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
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=16456372).

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.

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 Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Time-Based Media