Program Details
Associate of Applied Science in Graphic and Media Design
Associate of Applied ScienceVirginia Peninsula Community College
The Graphic and Media Design curriculum provides educational foundation in the creation of effective visual design solutions through the application of design theories and principles. Students will learn to demonstrate mastery of specific technical, conceptual, and critical abilities within computer graphics and the mixed media. Students will understand the production process utilized in industry standard studios including print design, photographic design, graphic design, video production, motion graphic design and web design.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | Turn your creativity into a career. Our Graphic and Media Design program is packed with an exciting array of courses in animation, video production, motion graphics design, web design and interactive design for mobile devices. The College's state-of-the-art facilities include green screen and video lighting studios and a visual arts gallery. |
Program Credit Requirements

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.
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.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://catalog.vpcc.edu/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=2654 |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) offers accessible education and workforce training to Virginia Peninsula residents. VPCC offers excellent educational programs developed in collaboration with other educational and industry partners, offered at affordable tuition, convenient locations, and flexible schedules. VPCC faculty deliver high-quality instruction and the small class sizes allow for more personalized attention for students. VPCC prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions or to gain employment in in-demand careers. VPCC offers scholarships, internships, and is nationally recognized for serving military members and their families. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/admissions/why.html |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | The student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance and program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance and program placement |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Virginia's community colleges offer students more than the opportunity to earn a degree or certificate; they provide a gateway to the Commonwealth's four-year colleges. Through system-wide negotiated agreements, students who graduate from a Virginia community college with an associate degree and the minimum grade point average required by the four-year college are guaranteed admission to many of the Commonwealth's colleges and universities. Students should review the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for the four-year institution they wish to attend to learn more about the process: https://www.vpcc.edu/services/advising/transfer.html |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Graphic Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Visual Art, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Longwood University | Graphic and Animation Design BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Graphic Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Art: Graphic Design (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | BFA in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | Online |
Radford University | BFA in Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Marymount University | Graphic and Media Design (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach 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 |
27-1024.00 | Graphic Designers | Design 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 |
15-1255.01 | Video Game Designers | Design 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 |
15-1255.00 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | Design 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 |
27-1011.00 | Art Directors | Formulate 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 |
27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1021.00 | Commercial and Industrial Designers | Design 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 |
27-1029.00 | Designers, All Other | All designers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1027.00 | Set and Exhibit Designers | Design 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 |
27-1014.00 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | Create 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
