Associate in Arts Degrees
Certificates of Achievement
Certificates of Proficiency
Certificate Programs and AA Degrees | Media Arts and Technologies
MAT offers several focused programs, degrees and majors for students who are looking for employment in the rapidly expanding fields of graphic design, web design, video production, 3D animation, web development, and interactive, video, or print digital media creation and delivery. You can choose to major in Graphic Design, Web Development and Design, or Video and Media Design.
Certificates of Achievement are professional 30-unit programs of study designed to give you the full range of skills necessary to get a job, become a freelancer, or start your own business.
Certificates of Proficiency are 15-unit programs, focused on very specific skill sets. These certificates are useful for those people who are looking to update their skills, or who are interested in augmenting their existing talents. Additionally, these certificates are effective if you want to add an additional specialty to a different major.
Associate in Art Degrees are complete 60-unit college degrees that combine a 30-unit Certificate of Achievement with 30 units of other college courses. This option is best for people who are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, or to further increase your employment opportunities.
These programs are also designed so that, with a little planning, it is possible for you to achieve multiple certificates within MAT, providing you with even more employment potential.
The links on the left provide all the details.
ASSOCIATE ARTS DEGREES
GRAPHIC DESIGN | Associate in Arts Degree
The Associate in Arts Degree in Graphic Design provides the most comprehensive educational opportunity for the aspiring designer. In addition to acquiring the skills provided by completing the Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement, you will also complete courses that will expand and enrich your learning experience, and by extension, your employment opportunites, and your life. An AA Degree also provides further opportunities when transferring to a four-year college or university.
The number of units and the types of courses to earn an AA degree are mandated by the college, and by the state. Please refer to the official College Catalog for the complete requirements. However, within the General Education Requirements, you have many options. Some courses provide more relevant experiences that will help you to maximize your skills in the challenging field of Graphic Design. Please refer to the General Education Courses listed below for a suggested list. Remember though, that these are just suggestions; you can always choose other courses from the catalog.
However, before you begin your course of study, you will need to meet with one of the MiraCosta career counselors, and also discuss your plans with one of the MAT faculty. Our job is to help you succeed.
Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement (30 units)
Please refer to Certificate of Achievement details on the left.
General Education Courses (at least 24 units)
While you have many choices within the GE area, the MAT Faculty recommends the following courses as particularly relevant to a major in Graphic Design.
Please remember that this is only a recommended list, it is not inclusive, and you have other requirements and options. Consult the College Catalog for the complete list of AA Degree requirements.
English 100—Composition and Reading
English 202—Critical Thinking and Composition
Art 100—Drawing and Composition
Art 101—Design and Color
Art 103—Beginning Sculpture
Art 201—Objects and Ideas in Contemporary Art
Art 254—Understanding and Appreciating the Photographic Image
Art 258—Ancient to Gothic Art
Art 259—History of Renaissance to Modern Art
Art 260—History of Modern Art
Communication 101—Principles of Oral Communication
Communication 106—Group Discussion
Communication 207—Interpersonal Communication
Communication 220—Introduction to Mass Communication
Philosophy 130—Critical Thinking and Writing
Film 101—Introduction to Film
Philosophy 102—Contemporary Moral Problems
TOTAL REQUIRED 60 units
Note: Please consult the College Catalog for all official information, and schedule an appointment to meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to facilitate best practice in the selection of your courses.- back to top -
WEB DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN | Associate in Arts Degree
The Associate in Arts Degree in Web Development and Design provides a comprehensive educational opportunity for the aspiring web designer. In addition to acquiring the skills provided by completing the Web Design and Development Certificate of Achievement, you will also complete courses that will expand and enrich your learning experience, and by extension, your employment opportunites, and your life. An AA Degree also provides further opportunities when transferring to a four-year college or university.
The number of units and the types of courses to earn an AA degree are mandated by the college and the state. Please refer to the official College Catalog for the complete requirements. However, within the General Education Requirements, you have many options. Some courses provide more relevant experiences that will help you to maximize your skills in the challenging field of Web Design.
Please refer to the General Education Courses listed below for a suggested list. Remember though, that these are just suggestions; you can always choose other courses from the catalog.
Before you begin your course of study, you will need to meet with one of the MiraCosta career counselors, and also discuss your plans with one of the MAT faculty. Our job is to help you succeed.
Web Development and Design Certificate of Achievement Please refer to Certificate of Achievement details on the left.
General Education Courses (at least 24 units)
While you have many choices within the GE area, the MAT Faculty recommends the following courses as particularly relevant to a major in Web Development and Design.
Please remember that this is only a recommended list, it is not inclusive, and you have other requirements and options. Consult the College Catalog for the complete list of AA Degree requirements.
English 100—Composition and Reading
English 202—Critical Thinking and Composition
Art 100—Drawing and Composition
Art 101—Design and Color
Art 103—Beginning Sculpture
Art 201—Objects and Ideas in Contemporary Art
Art 254—Understanding and Appreciating the Photographic Image
Art 258—Ancient to Gothic Art
Art 259—History of Renaissance to Modern Art
Art 260—History of Modern Art
Film 101—Introduction to Film
Communication 101—Principles of Oral Communication
Communication 106—Group Discussion
Communication 207—Interpersonal Communication
Communication 220—Introduction to Mass Communication
Philosophy 102—Contemporary Moral Problems
Philosophy 130—Critical Thinking and Writing
Mathematics 125—College Algebra
Mathematics 130—Trigonometry
TOTAL REQUIRED 60 UNITS
Note: MAT 292, 296 or 298 may be substituted for any required MAT 200 level course with approval of the MAT Department Chair.
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VIDEO AND MEDIA DESIGN | Associate in Art Degree
The Associate in Arts Degree in Video and Media Design provides the most comprehensive educational opportunity for the aspiring video technician or media content developer. In addition to acquiring the skills provided by completing the Video and Media Design Certificate of Achievement, you will also complete courses that will expand and enrich your learning experience, and by extension, your employment opportunites, and your life. An AA Degree also provides further opportunities when transferring to a four-year college or university.
The number of units and the types of courses to earn an AA degree are mandated by the college, and by the state. Please refer to the official College Catalog for the complete requirements. However, within the General Education Requirements, you have many options. Some courses provide more relevant experiences that will help you to maximize your skills in the challenging field of Video and Media Design. Please refer to the General Education Courses listed below for a suggested list. Remember though, that these are just suggestions; you can always choose other courses from the catalog.
However, before you begin your course of study, you will need to meet with one of the MiraCosta career counselors, and also discuss your plans with one of the MAT faculty. Our job is to help you succeed.
Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement (30 units)
Please refer to Certificate of Achievement details on the left.
General Education Courses (At least 24 units)
While you have many choices within the GE area, the MAT Faculty recommends the following courses as particularly relevant to a major in Graphic Design.
Please remember that this is only a recommended list, it is not inclusive, and you have other requirements and options. Consult the College Catalog for the complete list of AA Degree requirements.
English 100—Composition and Reading
English 202—Critical Thinking and Composition
Art 100—Drawing and Composition
Art 101—Design and Color
Art 103—Beginning Sculpture
Art 201—Objects and Ideas in Contemporary Art
Art 254—Understanding and Appreciating the Photographic Image
Art 258—Ancient to Gothic Art
Art 259—History of Renaissance to Modern Art
Art 260—History of Modern Art
Communication 101—Principles of Oral Communication
Communication 106—Group Discussion
Communication 207—Interpersonal Communication
Communication 220—Introduction to Mass Communication
Philosophy 130—Critical Thinking and Writing
Physical Science 106—Energy, Motion and Matter
Physics 111-112—Introductory Physics I, II
Dance 101—History and Appreciation of Dance
Film 101—Introduction to Film
Music 105—Music Fundamentals
Music 109—Beginning Music Theory Through Guitar
Philosophy 102—Contemporary Moral Problems
TOTAL REQUIRED 60 UNITS
Remember: Consult the College Catalog for all official information, and meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to assure accuracy in the selection of your courses.
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CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT
GRAPHIC DESIGN | Certificate of Achievement
Graphic Design is one of the most challenging and exciting careers available to the visual artist. Opportunities range from advertising, marketing, corporate branding, instructional and educational design, to architectural graphics and signage. The Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement is designed to give you the professional skills and tools to meet the needs of advertising agencies, marketing firms, organizations and small businesses who publish their information in both electronic and print environments. Students who complete this certificate will understand the most important concepts of graphic design and production, while learning current computer software applications, as well as gaining a solid foundation in project planning, management, communication and teamwork.
Career Opportunities include graphic designer, layout artist; web page designer; interface designer, graphic production assistant, prepress technician, photo technician.
Foundation Courses (12 units)
MAT 110 Digital Imagery 1 : Photoshop
MAT 120 Interactive Media Production
MAT 125 Web Design 1 : Fundamentals
MAT 135 Graphic Design 1 : Principles
Emphasis Courses (select 12 units)
MAT 150 Flash 1 : Animation and Interactivity
MAT 155 Graphic Design 2 : Typography
MAT 170 Digital Imagery 2 : Illustrator
MAT 180 Publishing 1 : InDesign
MAT 185 Graphic Design 3 : Design and Layout
Advanced Courses (select 3 units)
MAT 210 Digital Imagery 3 : Advanced Photoshop
MAT 230 Publishing 2 : Output for Print
MAT 270 Advanced Design Studio
Required to Graduate (3 units)
MAT 290 Portfolio Development
TOTAL REQUIRED 30 UNITS
Note: MAT 292, 296 or 298 may be substituted for any required MAT200 level course with approval of the MAT Department Chair.
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