Our program has been designed to give students the real-world skils needed in the different areas of Graphic Communications using a Competency-based approach.

You, as a learner, are the most important part of instruction. In performance-based instruction, we carefully identify what you need to be able to do as a result of an instructional experience. Next, we determine how you can show that you have learned these skills. Finally, we plan learning activities that will help you develop the skills.

How Competency-based really helps you:

1. What you will learn is based on the skills you will need rather than on outlines of information.
2. You can plan how to invest your time and energy. To help you do that, we tell you right up front what you will learn, how we expect you to show when you have learned, and how you may go about learning.
3. You know the standards for evaluation before the performance test. You earn a grade according to how well you perform the skills rather than according to how well others in the class perform. You are not graded on a curve.
4. You are actively involved in the learning. We design learning activities and assignments that teach you to solve problems and to learn on your own.
5. When you complete a learning experience, you have documentation showing the skills you have learned. You can use this information when you seek employment, admission to further education, advanced standing or transfer of credit.

GRC classes are offered during day and evening timeframes. There are two levels of foundation (introductory) classes that all GRC majors must take before moving on to higher-level classes. GRC 107, GRC 109 and GRC 110 are first level. Challenge by portfolio/challenge exam for these classes is available, and students with equivalent experience may skip these classes with department approval. Second level classes are GRC 118, GRC 119 and GRC 122, which focus on merging creative skills with the various software required in print, digital and letterform media. All six foundation courses are offered fall and spring semesters, and sometimes during the summer session.

Not all intermediate/advanced classes are offered every semester, please check the schedule of classes or contact the department for sequencing of courses. While manual skills are important in graphic communications, most classes focus on electronic skills using Apple computers and Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Flash, Premiere, Soundbooth, After Effects and Lightwave 3D software.

Over the course of the program, students will complete a portfolio demonstrating an ability to solve increasingly difficult graphic problems.

The portfolio will also contain the student's resume.

Students will complete a comprehensive program pre/post examination. Students must score a 70% or higher on the post test or repeat the test.

The bottom line is, if you want to learn how to create, produce and reproduce visual graphics that communicate to an audience, then graphic communications is for you. The GRC program teaches the theories and applications necessary to get a job in this exciting field.

By the end of the program you will have gaineda a industry-standard and highly-valuable skill set that will allow you to jumpstart a career in any of the main areas of graphic communications or continue your professional education with a very strong portfolio that gives you better chances to be accepted in the four-year design school of your dreams.