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Degree Overview
Course Descriptions
Admissions Information
Tuition & Financial Aid
Days until classes:
Next classes start
Jun 4th
Program Length: 36 months (may be completed in as little as 30 months)
Available at the following locations:
Available Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Degree Overview
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Arts prepares students to plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communication challenges. The combination of the study of theory and a mastery of in-studio visual communication methods enables students to get messages across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques.
Graduates may seek employment in advertising agencies, design studios, publishing houses, or corporate communication departments in entry-level positions as a graphic designer, a production artist for a design staff, a free-lance designer, or as a junior art director.
The major objective of the Information Design emphasis is to ensure competency at complex levels of information design creation, adaption, and management; attention attraction and retention optimization; cross-medium information presentation; universal design for professional design and communication; and ethical information design.
Possible employment areas include entry-level to mid-level positions as technical and professional designers, web and mobile content developers, document managers, editors, social media creators, and entrepreneurs.
| CollegeAmerica Colorado and Wyoming | |
|---|---|
| Program Information | Bachelor of Science in Graphic Arts |
| Occupations Degree Prepares For (and SOC code of occupation) |
Art Directors - 27-1011.00 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Post-secondary - 25-1121.00 | |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other - 27-1019.00 | |
| Multi-Media Artists and Animators - 27-1014.00 | |
| Tuition and Fees | $71,180 |
| Cost of Books | Included |
| Room and Board | N/A |
| Job Placement Rate * | N/A% |
| On-Time Completion Rate | N/A |
| Median Title IV Debt | N/A |
| Median Non-Title IV Debt | N/A |
| Median Loan Debt | N/A |
| CollegeAmerica Arizona | |
|---|---|
| Program Information | Bachelor of Science in Graphic Arts |
| Occupations Degree Prepares For (and SOC code of occupation) |
Art Directors - 27-1011.00 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Post-secondary - 25-1121.00 | |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other - 27-1019.00 | |
| Multi-Media Artists and Animators - 27-1014.00 | |
| Tuition and Fees | $71,180 |
| Cost of Books | Included |
| Room and Board | N/A |
| Job Placement Rate * | N/A% |
| On-Time Completion Rate | N/A |
| Median Title IV Debt | N/A |
| Median Non-Title IV Debt | N/A |
| Median Loan Debt | N/A |
Course Descriptions
CourseCourse NameCredits
Course Description
Click a course to the left to see the course description here.
Tip: Reading course descriptions is a great way to help you decide if a degree is right for you.
Computer Fundamentals
This course introduces the elements of several popular computer software programs in word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation design, Emphasis will be placed on the basic fundamentals of document creation, saving, and printing along with the more advanced concepts of presentation design.
Credits: 3.5
Professional and Technical Communication I
This course introduces students to the nuances of professional and technical communication. Topics include the impact of medium on messages, rhetorical framing of documents, and audience analysis. Students will learn about comprehensive document creation focused on the whole text, medium, graphics, and context of a document.
Credits: 4.0
Technology in Communication
This course focuses on the changes taking place in the technologies of information production, distribution, storage, and display. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of these changes with legal, social, cultural, and communication systems. Students will be required to create and adapt written and graphic design strategies for various communication technologies, including evolving technologies.
Credits: 4.0
Professional and Technical Communication II
This course covers the advanced topics begun in COM320. Students will refine their audience analysis skill and create professional and technical communication texts in specific areas of business, engineering, and science. Emphasis will be placed on the ethical issues in the field of professional and technical communication and how to resolve common ethical dilemmas.
Credits: 4.0
Illustrator Basics
This course focuses on vector software to produce detailed and scalable art for most applications. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the pen tool, transformations/ distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes.
Credits: 3.0
Photoshop
This course is designed to develop proficiency in the Adobe Photoshop program. This course focuses on the features of Photoshop that professionals consider to be the most important. Emphasis is placed on creating, recreating, and editing images in preparing them for web and print.
Credits: 3.0
Page Layout Tools
This course builds a basic proficiency in layout and production techniques currently being used by graphic art professionals.
Credits: 3.0
Graphic Design I
This course focuses on the basic elements of design.
Credits: 3.0
Typography
This course explores the critical role of typography in graphic design. Course projects place an emphasis on the anatomy of the letterform, the distinguishing features of different typefaces, and creative applications of type.
Credits: 3.0
Print Production
This course focuses on the technical fundamentals of producing professional print publications including pre-press. Emphasis will be placed on preparing print-ready files in a variety of common formats addressing common complications, and working with printers to obtain quality results. Additional topics include negotiating print bids and determining appropriate print volume, medium, format, and sizes.
Credits: 3.0
Color Theory
This course introduces students to color theory and the application of color to social contexts. Students will learn how color is derived in print and e-formats like CMYK and RGB. Additional emphasis is placed on fundamental color management techniques and cross-platform color strategies.
Credits: 3.0
Graphic Design II
This course implements the basic elements of design with emphasis on effective composition in a variety of projects.
Credits: 3.0
Information Design
This course focuses on visual representation of technical information in a variety of mediums.
Credits: 3.0
Web Design
This course focuses on designing websites with creative interfaces, strong graphic images, functional site organization, and logical navigation.
Credits: 3.0
Logo and Identity Design
This course focuses on developing essential skills for designing logos and corporate identities.
Credits: 3.0
Layout Design
This course uses the principles of effective composition to create multi-page layouts.
Credits: 3.0
Package Design
This course focuses on designing and creating packaging with emphases placed on technical requirements.
Credits: 3.0
Flash
This course is designed to develop proficiency in basic drawing and animating tools, with strong functionality, interactivity, and usability.
Credits: 3.0
Portfolio Design
This course focuses on preparing the student's portfolio in preparation for employment. The course culminates in a professional digital and print portfolio.
Credits: 3.0
Advanced Color Theory
This course focuses on advanced color principles, terminology, and applications with an emphasis on managing color choices for graphic design projects. Students will examine the specific properties and optical perceptions of color and learn how to create color harmonies for specific design projects based on logic and research and how color values are relevant to specific products.
Credits: 3.5
Intermediate Photoshop
This course will build on the concepts covered in Photoshop Basics by emphasizing advanced Photoshop techniques. Topics covered include advanced color management, quick masks, photo editing, and features specific to the latest Photoshop upgrades.
Credits: 3.0
Intermediate Illustrator
This course continues to build on the concepts covered in Illustrator Basics by emphasizing advanced Illustrator techniques. Topics covered include advanced color management and use of the drawing tools in Illustrator, logo design, file preparation, advanced typography, and features specific to the latest Illustrator upgrades.
Credits: 3.0
Graphic Design III
This course focuses on the different styles that influence graphic design, conceptualizing projects, reinventing clichés, creating balanced layouts, distilling complex information, and motivating an audience. Course projects include creating complex grids, an annual report layout, poster and book designs, art posters, and a direct mail piece.
Credits: 3.0
Information Design II
This course focuses on advanced information design theory and application with an emphasis placed on ethics, strategies, and techniques of information design for small presentation venues such as mobile devices and high-speed dynamic applications.
Credits: 3.0
Graphic Design Business Management
This course focuses on the essentials of setting up and managing a graphic design business. Strategies are discussed for presenting a portfolio, finding work, and marketing yourself, in addition to registering a company name, establishing an accounting system, and setting up a corporation. Assignments include a business plan, RFP responses, basic accounting, budgeting, and developing business forms.
Credits: 3.0
Advanced Logo Design
This course exposes students to professional logo and branding design projects. Emphasis is placed on corporate identity, image, branding, and repositioning with reference to intriguing realworld case studies. Course projects offer a range of challenges from a record company logo to an airline branding system allowing students to build personal style within constraints of realistic project briefs.
Credits: 3.0
Advanced Package Design
This course focuses on designing the packaging of branded products for retail display. Course projects include creating packaging for champagne, pizza, and perfume bottles. Additional emphasis is placed on mass-versus-prestige applications.
Credits: 3.0
Advanced Illustrator
This course focuses on designing the packaging of branded products for retail display. Course projects include creating packaging for champagne, pizza, and perfume bottles. Additional emphasis is placed on mass-versus-prestige applications.
Credits: 3.0
Universal Design
This course focuses on the universal design theory and the application of this theory to design practice with particular emphasis on e-applications and design challenges.
Credits: 3.0
Advanced Photoshop
This course focuses on Photoshop's advanced features. Topics include professional approaches to composition, retouching, image correction, and masking. Brushes, lighting textures, and special effects are explored as creative ways of producing high-impact images for print or web media. This course builds upon the basic level of Photoshop and requires projects that are challenging on both technical and artistic levels.
Credits: 3.0
Advanced Advertising Design II
design from both a creative and a business perspective. Case studies include print, web, and TV media showcase advertising at work; persuasion, color psychology, and composition; copy writing and typography; and brand communication. Course projects include ads for newspapers, magazines, subways, and transit/outdoor applications, and a multi-part campaign.
Credits: 3.0
Digital Photography
This course focuses on advanced photography techniques, approaches to composition and lighting, correcting images using Photoshop, and printing high-quality images. Emphasis is placed on developing a solid technical understanding of the medium and identifying individual expressive vision. Advanced projects explore experimental methods for enhancing photographs with digital effects.
Credits: 3.0
Design Capstone Project
This course requires students to complete an individual or group project that will integrate the skills learned in course work for the program as well as a portfolio that can be used to demonstrate work quality to prospective employers.
Credits: 3.0
English Composition
This course focuses on the principles of effective English composition with a comprehensive review and reinforcement of language arts skills. Emphasis is placed on the four essentials of writing: unity, support, coherence, and sentence skills. Practice in proofreading, editing, revision, and clear thinking is incorporated throughout the course.
Credits: 4.0
Writing
Presents the fundamental principles of written communications, specifically, common business correspondence, reports, presentations, and minutes. Specific to this course is review of the steps necessary to produce effective written communication.
Credits: 4.0
Communication Arts
This course focuses on developing critical thinking and communication skills in both verbal and nonverbal areas. Emphasis is placed on debate, panel discussions, committee work, conflict resolution, interviews, and editorial writing.
Credits: 4.0
Advanced Interpersonal Communication
This course is designed to provide students with the skills they need to be effective communicators. Students will apply interpersonal communication skills theory to various situations in order to understand the clear connections between theory, skills, and life situations they will encounter.
Credits: 4.0
American Civilization
This course covers the history of the United States from the American Revolution to the present. Emphasis is on the economic, political, and social development of our country.
Credits: 4.0
U.S. History Since the Civil War
This course offers students an overview of how America transformed itself, in a relatively short time, from a land inhabited by hunter-gatherer and agricultural Native American societies into the most powerful industrial nation on earth. The student will learn how dominant and subordinate groups have affected the shifting balance of power in America since 1863. Major topics include: Reconstruction, the frontier, the 1890s, America's transition to an industrial society, Progressivism, World War I, the 1920s, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, Vietnam, economic and social change in the late 20th century, and power and politics since 1974.
Credits: 4.0
Entrepreneurship
This course is a career-related overview of business startups, idea identification, value proposition, and competitive advantages in a student's area of specialization. The student will be able to identify and evaluate new business ideas; to learn how to prepare and evaluate business plans; and to identify capital sources for new ventures.
Credits: 4.0
Internet Commerce
Introduces Internet commerce basics and focuses on business concepts and applying technology in order to be successful. Other topics include globalizing a company, marketing and advertising, market trends, vendor solutions, credit card verification systems, security auction technologies, storefronts, and overall technology architecture. Students will learn to utilize Internet commerce solutions from process re-engineering to deployment and testing.
Credits: 4.0
Selling and Sales Management
Develops a working understanding of selling processes and sales management. Includes strategy, development, organization, design, motivation, leadership, and performance analysis.
Credits: 4.0
Organizational Design and Change
Focuses on developing strategies and structures that align organizations with their industry environments. Adapting to changes in technology, power structures, and competition is studied as well as planning and implementing changes in internal systems and processes.
Credits: 4.0
College Algebra
Designed to improve skills in numbers and algebraic expressions, solving equations, graphing, sets, exponents, radicals, inequalities, formulas, and applications.
Credits: 4.0
Introduction to New Media Marketing
This course focuses on using social media for competitive advantage, effectively managing and integrating social media into the marketing mix. Emphasis is placed on combining persuasive marketing with technology to influence human behaviors and attitudes that guide socially interactive marketing strategies. New media marketing puts social media to work for business. The course also explores social media’s strongest existing strategies: viral marketing, social networking, mobile marketing, online communities, wikis, and blogs. (Prerequisite: MAN105 or consent of the dean)
Credits: 4.0
Influence and Persuasion in Business
This course examines models of influence for leveraging behaviors for rapid and profound change. Students will learn to apply the behavioral and the communication skills needed for driving persuasive change in order to form the basis for becoming a trusted opinion leader and effectively accessing markets.
Credits: 3.5
Introduction to Logic
This course focuses on the techniques for determining the validity of arguments and analyzing problems in the world. Topics include a discussion of informal fallacies, Aristotelian logic, and symbolic logic.
Credits: 4.0
Critical Thinking
This course is designed to provide an interdisciplinary approach to critical thinking and challenges the student to question his or her own assumptions through analysis of the most common problems associated with everyday reasoning. The course explains the fundamental concepts, describes the most common barriers to critical thinking and offers strategies for overcoming those barriers.
Credits: 4.0
Psychology of Motivation
Students review skills necessary to be successful in college, including: note-taking, study skills, writing, finding and using information on the Internet, and reading/understanding college-level text. Students are exposed to basic motivation theories, values clarification, and philosophic principles.
Credits: 4.0
Professional Development
This course addresses employment search and acquisition skills. Topics include matching qualifications with job requirements, resume preparation, and job applications. Also includes cover letters, follow-up letters, resignation letters, and recommendation letters. Classroom activities include discussion of basic interviewer questions and interviewing techniques.
Credits: 4.0
Sociology
This course addresses the relationships among different social institutions. It examines the dynamics in social groups. Topics covered include the concepts of control, inequity, and change within social groups.
Credits: 4.0
Sociology of Aging
This course contains an interdisciplinary approach that provides the concepts, information, and examples students need to achieve a basic understanding of aging as a social process. This course addresses a broad range of societal issues and covers concepts associated with an aging population. It examines the concept of aging on both an individual and societal level. Major topics include: the history of aging in America; physical aging; psychological aspects of aging; personal adaptation to aging; death and dying; community social services; how aging affects personal needs and resources; and government responses to the needs of aging.
Credits: 4.0
Statistics
Explores practical skills in statistics. Topics include distributions, relationships, randomness, inference, and proportions, This course teaches an interdisciplinary approach that provides the regression, and variance. Emphasis is placed on understanding the use of statistical methods and the demands of statistical practice. (Prerequisite: MAT220)
Credits: 4.0
Total Courses: 53Total Credits: 182.5
Admissions Information
Applicants for admission to the College must have graduated from an accredited high school, private secondary school, or have completed the equivalent (GED). All students who graduate after January 2006 must provide a high school transcript to check eligibility for the new Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG).
Getting started is as simple as making a phone call-we're happy to answer any questions you may have and can get you on your way to enrollment as soon as you're ready. Click here for more information about the admissions process.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Some people have the idea that they cannot afford college. You may even be one of them. The truth is, once you know the facts, college may be much more affordable than you think. Financial aid is available if you qualify. In fact, many students are amazed at the financial aid they're eligible to receive. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid section for more information.
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