Program Details

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Design

Associate of Applied Science

Virginia Western Community College

The Communication Design program prepares students for employment in visual communication disciplines such as graphic design, advertising, web design, multimedia design, and photography. The program helps students understand both the visual aspects and the technology used in the Communication Design fields.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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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	If your goal is to have a creative, fast-paced, challenging, and cool job that pays well, consider Visual Design. Visual Design uses words and images to visually communicate an idea. This program is designed to help prepare you for employment in visual communication disciplines such as graphic design, advertising, web design, multimedia design, and photography. The program helps you to understand both the visual aspects and the technology used in the Visual Design fields.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Due to prerequisite requirements, ART classes should be taken in a specific order. Students should work with an academic advisor to determine their course plan if the suggested schedule is not followed. 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 Virginia Western Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses	A satisfactory aptitude for drawing is not required. Students must possess computer literacy in order to be successful in this program. Students will prepare portfolios for their job search. Due to prerequisite requirements, ART classes should be taken in a specific order. Students should work with an academic advisor to determine their course plan if the suggested schedule is not followed.
Doing More With Your Degree	The Visual Design AAS degree prepares students for direct employment upon completion of the degree. However, many programs may also transfer to four-year institutions. Students interested in transferring should verify program requirements with specific four-year institutions and with the program head for Visual Design.
Program Successes & Highlights	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/ie/research/student-goals/

Program Credit Requirements

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

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Credit for Prior Learning	Yes
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: Virginia Western Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

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Transfer Admission Application

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External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

519

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the Virginia Community College System, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 8,500 students in credit courses and more than 1,200 enrollments in accelerated career training and continuing education courses.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
First Year Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Northern Virginia Community College	Graphic Design, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Graphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts)	Associate	Associate of Applied Arts	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	Visual Art, A.F.A.	Associate	Associate of Fine Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts	Associate	Associate of Fine Arts	2-Year	In-Person
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - General Studies (Professional Communication)	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science Degree Communications Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Graphic and Media Design	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Graphic Design	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Northern Virginia Community College	Cinema, A.F.A.	Associate	Associate of Fine Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Photography and Media, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science: Computer Science Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Web Design	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Web Design - Graphic Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Systems Technology	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Information Systems Technology (Programming and Mobile Applications Development)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Information Systems Technology (Web Development Specialist)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Systems Technology	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
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
27-4021.00	Photographers	Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.	Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
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
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
11-2011.00	Advertising and Promotions Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.	Management Occupations
25-1122.00	Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library 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
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
25-1194.00	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
13-1131.00	Fundraisers	Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-2033.00	Fundraising Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.	Management Occupations
11-2032.00	Public Relations Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.	Management Occupations
27-3031.00	Public Relations Specialists	Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.	Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
15-1254.00	Web Developers	Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.	Computer and Mathematical Occupations

Cost To Complete

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 62 credits remaining to be completed

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Minimum Term of Active Duty

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Design at Virginia Western Community College These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 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	$161	Per Credit	$9,982	$0	$9,982	Includes Dual Enrollment
Fees
Fees	$15	Per Credit	$930	0	$930

*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.

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