VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

Brookhaven only

(Associate in Applied Sciences Degree, Tech Prep Enhanced Skills Certificate)

• Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
• Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: AAS.VISUAL.COMM.05

The Visual Communications curriculum is designed to provide the student with a foundation of knowledge and technical skills required for various fields within the visual communications industry. Completion of the VCOM Core Curriculum enables the student to enter a specialized track of study of either Communication Design, Creative Web Design, Multimedia Communications, or Visual Journalism. Upon completion of the second year courses, an Associate of Applied Arts Degree is awarded. The complete course of study provides for the development of creative, conceptual, technical, interpersonal and communication skills necessary to a career within the visual communications industry. Each specialized area of study is described as follows:

Specialization In Communication Design
This course of study is designed to prepare the student to enter the graphic and internet design, advertising art, desktop publishing, and print production fields. Emphasis is upon concept development and technical skills for visual communication.

Specialization In Creative Web Design
This course of study prepares the student for a career in creative web design, interface design and/or design for e-commerce application. Emphasis is upon the visual presentation of websites, including concept development, page design, and preparation of graphics and images as well as the technical skills required in web page construction.

Specialization In Multimedia Communications
This course of study is designed to develop the skills and technical knowledge to enable students to create multimedia presentations. Emphasis is upon development of concept and design for multimedia communications and presentation materials.

Specialization In Visual Journalism
This course of study is designed to integrate writing and design skills to enable students to produce clear, effective media packages. Emphasis is upon writing and designing newspaper and magazine content, newsletters, press kits, web pages and other forms of journalistic communication.

PROGRAM CORE (1^ST YEAR) CURRICULUM

SEMESTER I

SEMESTER II

SEMESTER III

A student must complete the Semester I, II, and III Core Curriculum and all courses in one of the following specializations (Communication Design, Multimedia Communications, Creative Web Design, or Visual Journalism) in Semesters IV and and V in order to be awarded the AAS in Visual Communications.

If POFT 1321 is taken in lieu of MATH 1314 or MATH 1414, a Natural Science class must also be taken.

+Natural Science Elective - must be selected from the DCCCD Core Curriculum for Natural Science.

++Social/Behavioral Science Elective - must be selected from the DCCCD Core Curriculum for Social/Behavioral Science.

+++Advanced Digital Imaging Elective - must be selected from the following:

COMMUNICATION DESIGN SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

SEMESTER IV

SEMESTER V

⁵Specialty Elective - must be selected from the following:

MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

SEMESTER IV

SEMESTER V

⁶Specialty Elective - must be selected from the following:

VISUAL JOURNALISM SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

SEMESTER IV

SEMESTER V

⁷Specialty Elective - must be selected from the following:

CREATIVE WEB DESIGN SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

SEMESTER IV

SEMESTER V

⁸Specialty Elective - must be selected from the following:

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.