Graphic Design & Digital Communications Course Catalog
Use this course outline to follow your training from design fundamentals to advanced digital media. See how each semester builds creative and technical skills for today’s design industry.
Attending college is more than just collecting credits — there's a carefully designed path that builds your knowledge, skills, and expertise step by step. On this page, you'll find a complete, semester-by-semester breakdown of all the courses required to graduate.
Graphic Design & Digital Communications Info
On-Campus (2026-2027)
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
18 Months (4 Semesters)Credits Required for Graduation: 70
First Year – Fall Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 115 | IT Essentials | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 140 | Data Design And MySQL | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 141 | Web Design And Maintenance | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 173 | Elements And Principles Of Design | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 175 | Photography For Digital Communications | 45 | 3 |
| Selected Behavioral Science Course (choose one) | 45 | 3 | |
| Total | 348 | 18 | |
First Year – Spring Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 239 | Full Stack Javascript For Designers | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 252 | Video And Audio Production | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 253 | Graphic Editing And Manipulation | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 275 | PHP For Web Designers | 84 | 3 |
| Selected Communications Course (choose one) COMM 101 - Communications and Career Strategies ENGL 101 - Composition * (CSS 100 – Career Search Strategies .5 credit) | 45 | 3 | |
| Selected Mathematics Course (choose one) | 45 | 3 | |
| Total | 309 | 18 | |
Second Year – Fall Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 152 | Graphic And Layout Design | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 169 | Social Media Content Development And Deployment | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 170 | Web Development And Deployment | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 254 | Animation And Motion Graphics | 84 | 3 |
| CMST 101 | Foundations of Communication* | 45 | 3 |
| Selected Social Science Course (choose one) ECON 105 - Leadership in the Global Workplace ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics* SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology * | 45 | 3 | |
| Total | 387 | 18 | |
Second Year – Spring Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 241 | Advanced Web Design And Maintenance | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 249 | Layout Design And Print Processes | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 251 | Motion Graphics And Compositing | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 290 | System Analysis And Design | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 299 | Internship (CIS) | 240 | 4 |
| Total | 537 | 16 |
Students will select a course in each of the areas listed to meet general education requirements. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) can be transferred directly to the university system. Students should speak with an advisor before doing so.
Hybrid E-Degree (2026-2027)
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
18 Months (4 Semesters)Credits Required for Graduation: 70
First Year – Fall Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 115 | IT Essentials | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 140 | Data Design And MySQL | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 141 | Web Design And Maintenance | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 173 | Elements And Principles Of Design | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 175 | Photography For Digital Communications | 45 | 3 |
| Selected Behavioral Science Course (choose one) | 45 | 3 | |
| Total | 348 | 18 | |
First Year – Spring Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 239 | Full Stack Javascript For Designers | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 252 | Video And Audio Production | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 253 | Graphic Editing And Manipulation | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 275 | PHP For Web Designers | 84 | 3 |
| Selected Communications Course (choose one) COMM 101 - Communications and Career Strategies ENGL 101 - Composition * (CSS 100 – Career Search Strategies .5 credit) | 45 | 3 | |
| Selected Mathematics Course (choose one) | 45 | 3 | |
| Total | 309 | 18 | |
Second Year – Fall Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 152 | Graphic And Layout Design | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 169 | Social Media Content Development And Deployment | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 170 | Web Development And Deployment | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 254 | Animation And Motion Graphics | 84 | 3 |
| CMST 101 | Foundations of Communication* | 45 | 3 |
| Selected Social Science Course (choose one) ECON 105 - Leadership in the Global Workplace ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics* SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology * | 45 | 3 | |
| Total | 387 | 18 | |
Second year – Spring Semester
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 241 | Advanced Web Design And Maintenance | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 249 | Layout Design And Print Processes | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 251 | Motion Graphics And Compositing | 84 | 3 |
| CIS 290 | System Analysis And Design | 45 | 3 |
| CIS 299 | Internship (CIS) | 240 | 4 |
| Total | 537 | 16 |
Students will select a course in each of the areas listed to meet general education requirements. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) can be transferred directly to the university system. Students should speak with an advisor before doing so.