Associate of Applied Technology Degree / Associate in Applied Science – T Degree

Prepares students for careers within commercial printing companies, web design companies, sign companies, quick print and copy shops, in-plant shops, specialty printing companies, advertising, ePublishing, screen printing, digital imaging, magazine, newspaper, and book printing and packaging companies.

With rapid technological expansion and broadening of the scope of services provided by the Graphic Communications industry today, companies have expanded services to include creative design, e-commerce, web page design and hosting, mailing, variable data, fulfillment, vehicle wrapping, and a host of services well beyond the core printing model.

Innovations in computer technology continue to rapidly change and expand the field of graphics. Therefore, the following courses of study may be subject to change in order to offer training based on current industry standards.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Graphic Technologies degree, students will:

  • Demonstrate professional graphic industry standards and methods to qualify for employment or transfer to a four–year school.
  • Demonstrate visual ideation and creativity.
  • Manage Apple software on a Macintosh computer.
  • Demonstrate a mastery of the Adobe suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat.
  • Show proficiency in the choice and use of software applications.
  • Build multi-page websites applying basic HTML, JavaScript and CSS.
  • Utilize typography in graphic communications.
  • Apply color theory to design and production.
  • Illustrate branding/logo design/brand identity.
  • Demonstrate design, production, and project workflow.
  • Exhibit characteristics of workplace ethics, responsibility, and accountability.
  • Make use of effective communications in a design/sales/prepress environment.
  • Manifest critical thinking skills focusing on problem solving, effective reasoning, and establishment of personal and team goals.
  • Produce a professional job-hunting package culminating in a portfolio and professional presentation skills.

General Degree Requirements

In addition to the program course requirements, students must also complete the general education requirements for the degree they seek to obtain. The two degree options in this program are the Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) and the Associate in Applied Science–T (AAS-T). The different requirements for each degree are listed below.

AAT Degree General Education Requirements (18 credits)

ENGL& 101

5

Or

CMST& 220

5

 

Any 100-Level Math Class

5

PSYC& 100DIV

5

COLL 102College Success for All

3

NOTE: CMST& 220 or higher

PSYC& 100DIV: PSY 112DIV, SOC& 101DIV, or other humanities course that meets the diversity requirement

AAS-T Degree General Education Requirements (23 credits)

All AAS-T degrees must have a minimum of 20 credits of transferable general education. These credits replace the academic courses required for the AAT degree. Required credits include:

5 credits in communication

ENGL& 101

5

5 credits in quantitative reasoning

MATH& 107

5

MATH& 141

5

MATH& 142

5

MATH& 146

5

MATH& 151

5

5 credits in a social science that meets the diversity requirement

PSYC& 100DIV

5

SOC& 101DIV

5

5 credits in social science, humanities, or science

choose one from the following

ART& 100
Art Appreciation

5

ASL& 121
American Sign Language I

5

ASL& 122
American Sign Language II

5

BIOL& 160
General Biology w/Lab

5

BIOL& 175
Human Biology w/Lab

5

BIOL& 241
Human A & P I

5

BIOL& 242
Human A & P II

5

BIOL& 260
Microbiology

5

CHEM& 110

5

CHEM& 121

5

CHEM& 131

5

GEOL& 110

5

HIST& 146

5

HIST& 147

5

HIST& 148

5

HUM& 101

5

MUSC& 105

5

PHYS& 114

5

POLS& 202

5

PSYC& 100

5

PSYC& 200

5

PSYC& 220

5

SOC& 101

5

3 credits in College Success

COLL 102College Success for All

3

Students pursuing an AAT or AAS-T degree must complete all college degree requirements prior to graduation. This includes courses that meet the requirements for diversity, computer literacy, and the capstone project.

Program Length

This program is approximately five quarters long, depending on the time students need to satisfactorily complete all graduation requirements.

Admission Dates

Fall and spring quarters.

Completion Requirements

Prerequisite(s)

None.

Program Course List

GTC 110Art, Design & Visual Thinking

5

GTC 123CLMacintosh Operations & Image Acquisition

5

GTC 130Digital Imaging I: Photoshop

5

GTC 143Electronic Publishing & Layout

5

GTC 149Digital Imaging II: Photoshop

5

GTC 164Prepress I

5

GTC 169Intro to Vector-Based Illustration Software

5

GTC 174InDesign I

5

GTC 203Preflight

5

GTC 209Advanced Vector Digital Illustration

5

GTC 210Digital Imaging III: Photoshop

5

GTC 223Prepress II

5

GTC 225Advanced Page Layout Principles

5

GTC 254CAPCapstone Class

5

GTC 260Web Animation Design

5

GTC 264Paper, Pricing & Estimating

5

GTC 265Web Programming Basics

5

GTC 273Web Graphic Design and User Experience

5

GTC 276InDesign II

5

 

GTC 278Independent Study

4

Or

GTC 280Internship

4

Total Credit Hours:99

AAT Requirements

Technical Course Requirements

99

AAT General Education Requirements

18

Total Credit Hours:117

AAT General Education Requirements: See list above

AAS-T Requirements

Technical Course Requirements

99

AAS-T Degree General Education Requirements

23

Total Credit Hours:122

AAS-T Degree General Education Requirements: See list above