Graphic Arts, Design, & Media; Associate in Science
Program Description
The A.S degree in Graphic Arts, Design, and Media offers students the first two years of coursework in various design avenues. The program provides the foundation courses that allow students to transfer into baccalaureate programs in design, which will prepare them for design fields in print, multimedia, and the web. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the discipline and the ability to create a portfolio of work necessary for a career in the industry.
Transfer Information
Students who complete the Graphic Arts, Design, & Media degree can transfer into majors such as Graphic Design, Digital & Multimedia or Visual Communication Design. Many colleges offer opportunities for transfer both in and out of state. Admission is competitive and may require specific coursework to be completed, portfolio submission, and interview during the application process. Transfer credit for Art, Graphic Design, and Electronic Media course may be evaluated after a review of the student’s projects in the course. Students are encouraged to work closely with OCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer. www.njtransfer.org
Career Information
The Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science Degrees are designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum provides students the knowledge and skills needed to pursue various career pathways, while providing a credential beyond the high school degree. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. OCC students can also utilize Focus2 Career, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers. To get started, log in through Ocean Connect.
Students are encouraged to keep track of degree requirements by using the “My Progress” screen on Student Planning. Student Planning can be accessed via logging into Ocean Connect.
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 151 | English I | 3 |
| ARTS 183 | Basic Drawing | 3 |
| PHOT 181 | Basic Digital Photography | 3 |
| GRPH 101 | History of Media and Design | 3 |
| Any STSC - Student Success Seminar course 1 | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 152 | English II | 3 |
| Mathematics Gen. Ed. Requirement | 3 | |
| ARTS 182 or ARTS 205 | Art From Renaissance to Modern World or Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTS 184 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| GRPH 151 | Digital Imagery | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| GRPH 251 | InDesign and Typography | 3 |
| Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement | 3 | |
| Technology Gen. Ed. Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| Any Gen. Ed. Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| GRPH 281 | Graphics Portfolio | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement | 3 | |
| Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement | 4 | |
| Any Gen. Ed. Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
A variety of STSC -Student Success Seminar courses are available. Please speak to your academic advisor for assistance when selecting.
- 2
Students may attempt to “test out” of the technology requirement. If they succeed, they must take an additional course(s) in math or science from the List of Approved General Education Courses.
- 3
Some suggested electives are listed below. Selection of electives should be based on the requirements of the four-year institution.
Suggested Graphic Arts, Design, and Media Electives
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS 186 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ARTS 286 | Painting I | 3 |
| COEM 220 | Video Location Production | 3 |
| COEM 224 | Video Editing and Post Production | 3 |
| COEM 230 | Audio Recording for Electronic Media | 3 |
| PHOT 187 | Experimental Digital Photography | 3 |
| PHOT 188 | Intermediate Digital Photography | 3 |
| PHOT 207 | Photojournalism | 3 |