Visual Communication

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Visual Communication is designed to prepare students for employment and upgrade the skills of those already employed in the visual communication industry. The program focuses on design principles, technical, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills needed to communicate and complete successful visual communication projects. Students will receive hands-on specialized training for the application of specific technology to meet the unique needs of various careers, including, but not limited to graphic design, publication design, branding, illustration, digital prepress, digital press operation, estimating, production, project management, customer service, marketing, social media, creative advertising, user experience/user interface and creative direction. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in either graphic design, creative branding or digital process management is embedded in this degree. Students may also elect to pursue standalone Certificates of Completion or transfer to a university.

Details

Field of Interest

Visual and Performing Arts

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Visual Communication (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3052

Total credits required

60-66

Catalog Year

2025-2026

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This degree is designed for students seeking gainful, entry-level employment within the Visual Communication field. Graduates may apply courses within this program to Bachelor of Applied Science degrees at an Arizona public university.

See the AGEC Matrix course selections. See a university transfer specialist for details.

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year university who are seeking a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree can also choose to pursue the Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA) option.

What You'll Learn

Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Develop visual concepts in response to communication problems including visual organization of information hierarchy.
Apply principles of design, history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives for effective visual communication.
Critique designs to evaluate their effectiveness, and provide critical feedback to guide improvement and success.
Utilize industry standard software to produce effective solutions to client-based problems.
Demonstrate professional and collaborative practices including communication, presentation, time management, organization, and legal and ethical considerations in diverse settings as appropriate to the field.
Communicate design ideas and solutions that integrate diverse opinions and cultural and individual differences.
Demonstrate the use of appropriate typography and font management.
Utilize calibration, characterization, definitions, and profiles of digital color to ensure color consistency across outputs.
Use digital prepress concepts and techniques to design, create, and evaluate electronic files for successful output to digital devices.
Apply the fundamentals of digital marketing tools and methods for complex segments as they relate to graphic design.
Create a portfolio of work that reflects current industry practices.
Create effective marketing messages and campaigns to drive client-specific business goals.
Design effective online and offline collateral to achieve business goals.
Develop comprehensive brand standards and guidelines to maintain brand integrity.
Estimate each function and process associated with a standard job ticket for printing.
Map the unique digital workflows for projects through the completion process.
Operate and troubleshoot the output of a file for prepress, press and post-press processes.
Calibrate an output device for correct color.
Demonstrate safe use and maintenance of equipment and consumables.
Manage the project lifecycle for internal and external stakeholders.

Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Advertising and Promotions Managers

$99,360

Art Directors

$79,070

Customer Service Representatives

$38,100

Desktop Publishers

$40,630

Graphic Designers

$56,090

Prepress Technicians and Workers

$45,650

Print Binding and Finishing Workers

$36,770

Printing Press Operators

$38,650

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Visual Communication
Visual Communication: DESIGN
Visual Communication: CREATIVE BRANDING
Visual Communication: DIGITAL PROCESS MANAGEMENT

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
AVC100	Introduction to Digital Arts		OR Permission of Department		0–1
AVC103	Typography in the Digital Age	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC180AD	Designer's Tools: Adobe Illustrator	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			1
AVC180AE	Designer's Tools: Adobe Photoshop	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			1
AVC180AS	Designer's Tools: Adobe InDesign	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			1
AVC181	Graphic Design I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

Spring Semester (Term 2)Term 2Term 2Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)Term 2Term 2Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
MAT14+	College Mathematics		Critical course OR Any approved general education course from the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
Specialization	Specialization Option				3
Specialization	Specialization Option				3
Specialization or Elective	Specialization Option or Elective				3
AVC104	Cross-Media Marketing for Designers				3
AVC177	Digital Photographic Imaging I	Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC169	2D Media Design	Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC104	Cross-Media Marketing for Designers				3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3
ART288	PDF Portable Document Format	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC175 or permission of Instructor.			3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3

Fall Semester (Term 3)Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 3)Term 3Term 3Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM225 recommended for students transferring to NAU to meet the Literacy [L] requirement	SB or SB or L or SB	3
Specialization	Specialization Option				3
Specialization	Specialization Option		Students should select courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.		3
Specialization	Specialization				3
Specialization or RE	Specialization or Restricted Elective				3
AVC291	Digital Prepress	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC182	Graphic Design II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC181 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC114	Digital Color				3
AVC/MMT190	Art of Web Site Design	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100, or permission of Instructor. CIS133DA recommended.			3
MKT110	Marketing and Social Networking				3
AVC204	Creative Design for Advertising				3
AVC114	Digital Color				3
AVC291	Digital Prepress	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC292	Digital Output Prepress	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC291 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC293	Digital Output	Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.			3

Spring Semester (Term 4)Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 4)Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative			SG or SQ	4
Specialization or RE	Specialization or Restricted Elective		Students should select courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.		1–3
Specialization or RE	Specialization or Restricted Elective				2–3
RE	Restricted Elective		Students should select courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.		1–3
RE	Restricted Elective		Students should select courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.		3
AVC215	Advanced Electronic Publishing	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC175.			3
AVC248	Design Self Promotion				3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3
AVC296WA	Cooperative Education	Prerequisites: Completion of at least twelve (12) college credits minimum 2.6 grade point average and be able to obtain a position related to students academic or career goals (students present job may qualify or permission of instructor Corequisites: Must be concurrently enrolled in at least one class which is related to student's major or career interest or with permission of the instructor.			1
AVC248	Design Self Promotion				3
AVC230	Visual Brand Design	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (AVC100 and MKT110) or permission of Instructor.			3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3
ART227	Estimating for Digital Output				3
AVC249	Visual Communication Project Management and Workflow	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC298AC	Special Projects	Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.			3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
AVC100	Introduction to Digital Arts		OR Permission of Department	0–1
AVC103	Typography in the Digital Age	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		3
AVC180AD	Designer's Tools: Adobe Illustrator	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		1
AVC180AE	Designer's Tools: Adobe Photoshop	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		1
AVC180AS	Designer's Tools: Adobe InDesign	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		1
AVC181	Graphic Design I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		3

Spring Semester (Term 2)Term 2Term 2Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)Term 2Term 2Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success			1–3
Specialization	Specialization Option			3
Specialization or RE	Specialization Option or Restricted Elective			3
Specialization or RE	Specialization or Restricted Elective		Students should select courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.	3
AVC104	Cross-Media Marketing for Designers			3
AVC177	Digital Photographic Imaging I	Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		3
AVC169	2D Media Design	Prerequisites or Corequisites: AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		3
AVC104	Cross-Media Marketing for Designers			3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)	3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)	3
ART288	PDF Portable Document Format	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC175 or permission of Instructor.		3
GE	General Elective		Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)	3

Spring Semester (Term 3)Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 3)Term 3Term 3Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
Specialization	Specialization Option			3
Specialization	Specialization Option			3
Specialization	Specialization Option			3
Specialization or RE	Specialization or Restricted Elective		Students should select courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.	1–3
AVC291	Digital Prepress	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		3
AVC182	Graphic Design II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC181 or permission of Instructor.		3
AVC114	Digital Color			3
AVC/MMT190	Art of Web Site Design	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100, or permission of Instructor. CIS133DA recommended.		3
MKT110	Marketing and Social Networking			3
AVC204	Creative Design for Advertising			3
AVC114	Digital Color			3
AVC291	Digital Prepress	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.		3
AVC292	Digital Output Prepress	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC291 or permission of Instructor.		3
AVC293	Digital Output	Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.		3

Fall Semester (Term 4)Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 4)Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Specialization	Specialization				3
RE	Restricted Elective				1–3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
RE	Restricted Elective		Students should select courses to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree.		3
AVC215	Advanced Electronic Publishing	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC175.			3
AVC248	Design Self Promotion				3
AVC296WA	Cooperative Education	Prerequisites: Completion of at least twelve (12) college credits minimum 2.6 grade point average and be able to obtain a position related to students academic or career goals (students present job may qualify or permission of instructor Corequisites: Must be concurrently enrolled in at least one class which is related to student's major or career interest or with permission of the instructor.			1
AVC248	Design Self Promotion				3
AVC230	Visual Brand Design	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (AVC100 and MKT110) or permission of Instructor.			3
ART227	Estimating for Digital Output				3
AVC249	Visual Communication Project Management and Workflow	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in AVC100 or permission of Instructor.			3
AVC298AC	Special Projects	Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.			3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
MAT14+	College Mathematics		Critical course OR Any approved general education course from the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences			SB	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM225 recommended for students transferring to NAU to meet the Literacy [L] requirement	SB or SB or L or SB	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3

Term 7Term 7Term 7Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7Term 7Term 7Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
Specialization or RE	Specialization or Restricted Elective			2–3
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative		SG or SQ	4
GE	General Elective	Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3
GE	General Elective	Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3
GE	General Elective	Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. The following courses are recommended. AVC+++ Any AVC Art and Visual Communication course(s) MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course(s)		3

Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

FYC = First Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics

SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=16452894).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Visual Communication