Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Certificate in Graphic Communications

Certificate
Germanna Community College

This program will allow students to explore the field of graphic design. Students will leave the course with a portfolio of work for potential employers.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree Germanna Community College�s certificate in graphic design will give the student an exposure and overview of the field of graphic design. Studies in drawing, fundamentals of design, color theory and use of the computer as a design tool will be incorporated into the classes.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Germanna Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses This program includes courses in graphic design, art history, general education, and electives. Students are urged to consult with a faculty advisor in selecting elective courses. The final course, Portfolio and Resume Preparation (ART 287), requires students to develop and submit a portfolio of their artwork that is suitable for presentation for approval by the instructor(s).
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Certificate in Graphic Communications
30
Certificate in Graphic Communications
30
Graphic Communications (524)
30
English Requirement: ENG 111 - College Composition I
3
English Requirement: ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
GC Elective: ART 116, ART 132, ART 141, ART 265, ART 203, ITD 110 or PHT 164
3
Graphic Comm Elective (3-4cr)
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Graphic Communications Certificate - Core Requirements
24
Graphic Communications Certif
24
Earn 24 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who transfer with a completed Associate degree will be awarded SDV 100 and will have their transcript evaluated for other individual course transfer. Students who transfer with a completed Bachelor degree from a U.S. college or university will be awarded SDV 100, ENG 111 and ENG 112. The transcript will be evaluated for other individual course transfer.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for guaranteed admission programs. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Credit for Prior Learning Yes; Germanna Credit for Prior Learning
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Germanna Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
100
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Germanna offers classes at seven commuter locations and online to 13,000 students annually with an average class size of 26 students.
Transfer Student Catalog Year The catalog in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into a curriculum.
First Year Student Catalog Year The catalog in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into a curriculum.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Career and Transfer Center will assist students with GAA.
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Northern Virginia Community CollegeGraphic Design, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Graphic and Media DesignAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Graphic DesignAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual ArtsAssociateAssociate of Applied Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts MajorAssociateAssociate of Art2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeGraphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeVisual Art, A.F.A.AssociateAssociate of Fine Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Fine Arts in Visual ArtsAssociateAssociate of Fine Arts2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Visual DesignAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Fine ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Longwood University Graphic and Animation Design BFABachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in ArtBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityGraphic Design, Bachelor of Fine ArtsBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityArt: Graphic Design (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Regent UniversityBFA in Graphic DesignBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearOnline
Radford UniversityBFA in DesignBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBS in DesignBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Marymount University Graphic and Media Design (BA)BachelorBachelor of Art4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1121.00Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
27-1024.00Graphic DesignersDesign or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
15-1255.01Video Game DesignersDesign core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.Computer and Mathematical Occupations
15-1255.00Web and Digital Interface DesignersDesign digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.Computer and Mathematical Occupations
27-1011.00Art DirectorsFormulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-1019.00Artists and Related Workers, All OtherAll artists and related workers not listed separately.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-1021.00Commercial and Industrial DesignersDesign and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-1029.00Designers, All OtherAll designers not listed separately.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-1027.00Set and Exhibit DesignersDesign special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-1014.00Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsCreate special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 30 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Certificate in Graphic Communications at Germanna Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 2 semesters or 1 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $175 Per Credit $5,250 $0 $5,250 The In-state rate also applies to for active duty members, veterans and dependents stationed AND residing in Virginia. (165.95 tuition + 9.25 fees)
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.