degrees offered

In a recent survey of industry representatives, 60 percent said that an associate's degree related to graphic communications was the level of training they were looking for when hiring for entry-level positions.

TMCC's graphic communications program offer an associate's degree and certificates of achievement that give training in those areas that employers want. Check out the links to the right to view degree and certificate requirements or check out our program flow.

Associate of Applied Science

The Graphic Communications (GRC) program offers classes that lead to an Associate degree or a Certificate of Achievement. Instruction includes the use of industry standard graphics software, and GRC computer labs are equipped with the latest Macintosh computers with support scanners, printers, a sound recording facility and a complete prepress/print shop facility.

Students completing the degree will:

  • Identify and apply historical and current design theories and concepts in the production of visually engaging media that meets the requirements of the graphic communications industry.
  • Acquire a broad skill set in current graphics related technologies, including computer software applications, processes and other production techniques used in the graphic communications industry.
  • Develop and assemble a portfolio of work that will illustrate and communicate their visual design skills at a professional level.

Graphic

Communications

Degree

(AAS)

AAS Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements

DIVERSITY > 3 CREDITS

Required: AAD 201 (fine arts/humanities/social science requirement)

COMMUNICATIONS/ENGLISH > 6 CREDITS

Recommended: ENG 101, 107 113, or BUS 106/ENG 102, 114, BUS 107 or COM 113

FINE ARTS/HUMANITIES/SOCIAL SCIENCE > 3 CREDITS

Required: AAD 201

HUMAN RELATIONS > 3 CREDITS

Recommended: MGT 212, EPY 101

QUANTITATIVE REASONING > 3 CREDITS

Recommended: BUS 117 or MATH 120

SCIENCE > 3 CREDITS

U.S. AND NEVADA CONSTITUTIONS > 3 CREDITS

Recommended: PSC 101 or CH 203

TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS > 21 CREDITS

Core Requirements

GRC 107 Design Fundamentals > 4 Credits

GRC 109 Color and Design > 4 Credits

GRC 110 Rendering and Illustration > 4 Credits

GRC 118 Computer Graphics/Print Media > 4 Credits

GRC 119 Computer Graphics/Digital Media > 4 Credits

GRC 294 Portfolio Workshop > 2 Credits

TOTAL CORE REQUIREMENTS > 22 CREDITS

Emphasis Requirements

Choose 17 credits from the following:

GRC 132 Basic Principles of Animation > 3 Credits

GRC 135 Storyboarding > 3 Credits

GRC 144 Electronic Layout and Typography > 3 Credits

GRC 153 Commercial Printing Processes > 4 Credits

GRC 156 Computer Illustration > 3 Credits

GRC 175 Web Design and Publishing I > 1-3 Credits

GRC 182 Digital Video Production > 3 Credits

GRC 183 Electronic Imaging I > 3 Credits

GRC 188 Web Animation and Interactivity I > 3 Credits

GRC 244 Electronic Layout and Typography II > 3 Credits

GRC 275 Web Design and Publishing II > 3 Credits

GRC 282 Motion Graphics for Video > 3 Credits

GRC 283 Electronic Imaging II > 3 Credits

GRC 284 3D Modeling and Animation > 3 Credits

GRC 290 Internship in Graphic Communications > 1-3 Credits

GRC 298 Special Problems in Graphic Communications > 0.5-6 Credits

GRC 299 Independent Study > 1-3 Credits

TOTAL EMPHASIS REQUIREMENTS > 17 CREDITS

TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS >>> 60 CREDITS

Suggested Course Sequence for AAS Degree

First Year

First Year Course# Title Credits
1st Semester
English GE Elective See recommended list 3
Core GRC 107 Design Fundamentals 4
Core GRC 109 Color and Design 4
Core GRC 110 Rendering & Illustration 4
 
Total 15
2nd Semester
Communication GE Elective See recommended list 3
Science GE Elective See recommended list 3
Quantitative Reasoning GE Elective See recommended list 3
Core GRC 118 Computer Graphics/Print Media 4
Core GRC 119 Computer Graphics/Digital Media 4
Total 17

Second Year

First Year Course# Title Credits
1st Semester
Emphasis   Choose from list 3
Emphasis   Choose from list 3
Emphasis   Choose from list 3
Emphasis   Choose from list 3
Humanities / Diversity AAD 201 History of the Built Environment 3
Total 15
2nd Semester
Emphasis   Choose from list 3
Emphasis   Choose from list 3
Human Relations GE Elective See recommended list 3
Core GRC 294 Portfolio Workshop 2
U.S. and Nevada Constitutions PSC 101 Introduction to American Politics 3
Total 14
Degree Total 60

Certificate of Achievement

The certificate of achievement in graphic communications prepares students for jobs in areas of graphic communications. This includes graphic design, advertising design, electronic media production and computer graphics for a variety of media. The program instructs in both theory and application on the latest print and monitor-based graphics software. GRC certificates are for students who may have a degree or have industry experience and are looking for certification in their field.

Students completing the certificate will:

  • Understand and apply historical and current design theories and concepts in the production of visually engaging media that meets the requirements of the graphic communications industry.
  • Acquire a broad skill set in current graphics related technologies, including computer software applications, processes and other production techniques used in the graphic communications industry.

Certificate

of

Achievement

Graphic Communications

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

General Education Requirements

COMMUNICATIONS/ENGLISH > 3 CREDITS

Recommended: ENG 101, 107 113, or BUS 106/ENG 102, 114, BUS 107 or COM 113

FINE ARTS/HUMANITIES/SOCIAL SCIENCE > 3 CREDITS

Required: AAD 201

HUMAN RELATIONS > 3 CREDITS

Recommended: MGT 212, EPY 101

QUANTITATIVE REASONING > 3 CREDITS

Recommended: BUS 117 or MATH 120

SCIENCE > 3 CREDITS

TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS > 9 CREDITS

Emphasis Requirements

Chose 21 credits from the following list:

GRC 107 Design Fundamentals > 4 Credits

GRC 109 Color and Design > 4 Credits

GRC 110 Rendering and Illustration > 4 Credits

GRC 118 Computer Graphics/Print Media > 4 Credits

GRC 119 Computer Graphics/Digital Media > 4 Credits

GRC 132 Basic Principles of Animation > 3 Credits

GRC 135 Storyboarding > 3 Credits

GRC 144 Electronic Layout and Typography > 3 Credits

GRC 153 Commercial Printing Processes > 4 Credits

GRC 156 Computer Illustration > 3 Credits

GRC 175 Web Design and Publishing I > 1-3 Credits

(Emphasis Requirements Continued)

GRC 182 Digital Video Production > 3 Credits

GRC 183 Electronic Imaging I > 3 Credits

GRC 188 Web Animation and Interactivity I > 3 Credits

GRC 244 Electronic Layout and Typography II > 3 Credits

GRC 275 Web Design and Publishing II > 3 Credits

GRC 282 Motion Graphics for Video > 3 Credits

GRC 283 Electronic Imaging II > 3 Credits

GRC 284 3D Modeling and Animation > 3 Credits

GRC 290 Internship in Graphic Communications > 1-3 Credits

GRC 294 Portfolio Workshop > 2 Credits

GRC 298 Special Problems in Graphic Communications > 0.5-6 Credits

GRC 299 Independent Study > 1-3 Credits

TOTAL EMPHASIS REQUIREMENTS > 21 CREDITS

TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS >>> 30 CREDITS

For a suggested program sequence, please contact the GRC Program office at 775-673-7291.

Web Design Accelerated Certificate

The Graphic Communications program at TMCC has developed a new Certificate of Achievement. The Web Design Accelerated Certificate provides design and technical skills in the creation, development and production of static and dynamic content for use on the Internet. The pilot for this program will be delivered in an accelerated format (25 weeks of instruction) using a blend of online and classroom instruction. Classes will meet one day per week and course content is taught using an integrated, project-based curriculum.

The accelerated Web Design Certificate program was developed to meet the needs of adults seeking to earn a college credential while balancing work, family and other responsibilities.

For more information, please view the Web Design Accelerated Certificate.

Web Design

Accelerated

Certificate