Career certificate
Program overview
Create visual, written, and web-based media for community organizations, small businesses, and transfer portfolios. Students work with advisors to confirm placement, course sequence, and whether the pathway supports transfer, certificate completion, or direct career preparation.
Who this pathway serves
This certificate is designed for students interested in visual communication, content production, social media, web publishing, and portfolio-based creative work.
Students may enter with a defined goal or use introductory courses to test their interest. Prior experience is helpful in some subjects but is not assumed unless a prerequisite is listed.
What students learn
- Build a digital portfolio
- Use design and production tools
- Plan audience-centered media
Learning outcomes are developed through class discussion, applied assignments, projects, presentations, and instructor feedback. Students should expect to revise work and explain how they reached a conclusion.
Sample courses in this pathway
The courses below illustrate a possible sequence rather than a guaranteed schedule. Availability, prerequisites, and recommended preparation should be confirmed before registration.
| Course | Title | Units | Prerequisite | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART 115 | Design Foundations | 3 | None | Explores composition, typography, color, image selection, and visual communication for print and digital work. |
| COMM 140 | Media Writing | 3 | ENG 095 or placement | Introduces audience, news writing, public relations, web copy, and ethical communication. |
| DM 101 | Digital Media Production | 3 | None | Introduces image editing, audio/video basics, storytelling, digital publishing, and portfolio development. |
| DM 210 | Portfolio Studio | 3 | DM 101 | Guides students through project refinement, critique, portfolio presentation, and client-style briefs. |
| WEB 130 | Web Design Fundamentals | 3 | CIS 105 recommended | Introduces HTML, CSS, accessibility basics, responsive layout, and web publishing workflows. |
Program and schedule planning
Students should complete foundation courses before the portfolio studio and plan time outside class for editing, critique, file organization, and project revision.
Full-time and part-time plans are available. Completion time depends on placement, course availability, previous credit, prerequisite readiness, and the number of units a student can manage successfully each term.
Career and transfer direction
- Content assistant
- Social media coordinator
- Digital production assistant
Career titles vary by employer, experience, and additional credentials. Transfer-focused students should meet with an advisor each term to confirm requirements.
Support for program students
Program students may use academic advising, tutoring, writing and math support, library research help, career coaching, transfer planning, and technology assistance.
Students who are struggling with attendance, workload, language demands, or personal circumstances should contact an instructor or advisor early enough to review available options.