The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) CIS Digital Design degree is designed to successfully prepare students for careers in the expanding fields of digital design and media productions through an integrated curriculum exposing students to design principles and technical strategies. Upon successful completion of the AAS CIS Digital Design degree, students are prepared for a variety of entry-level positions in numerous digital design fields. Students attain knowledge and learn skills to seek careers in creative and support professions within such media industries as film and video, graphic design, production, game development, animation, and web design. Some of the careers available in media include: Production designer, camera operator, visual effects production, multimedia producer, duplication, production assistant, graphic artist, art assistant, web designer, and other emerging opportunities.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate professional design principles and practices.
• Plan, design, develop, and edit digital images and graphics.
• Plan, design, develop, and edit digital time-based media.
• Plan, design, develop, and edit interactive webpages.
• Work effectively as part of a design team.

Award Map

Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process.  Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree. For more information on placement methods used, visit our college placement policy here.

Program Guide

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
ART115	Basic Design I Intro to Elements of Art and Principles of Design	4
ART131	Introduction to Drawing I	3
CIS120	Concepts of Computing	4
CIS125PH	Computer Applications: Photoshop	3
DD160	Digital Design Orientation	3
	Credits	17
Winter
ART110	Digital Photography I	3
ART116	Basic Design II, Color Theory	4
CS195	Web Development I	3
DD235PH	Digital Design App: Photoshop	3
WR115	Fundamentals of Report Writing (or higher) 1	4
	Credits	17
Spring
ART117	Basic Design III, Intro to 3D Desgn	4
BA285	Human Relations in Organizations 2	3
CIS125IL	Computer Applications: Illustrator	3
CIS125MA	Computer Applications: Maya	3
CS133WS	Computer Language I: Web Scripting	4
	Credits	17
Second Year
Fall
ART210	Digital Photography II	3
BA150	Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3	3
CIS125DW	Computer Applications: Dreamweaver	3
MTH60	Algebra I (or higher) 7	4
	Credits	13
Winter
BA223	Principles of Marketing	4
DD250	Projects in Digital Media	3
DD280	CWE: Digital Design 6	4
SP100	Basic Speech Communications 8	3
	Credits	14
Spring
DD297	Digital Design Capstone	3
PE231	Wellness for Life 5	3
Specific Elective 6		6
	Credits	12
	Total Credits	90

1	A higher writing may be substituted excluding WR241, WR242, WR243, and WR250.
2	BA110, BA120, BA285, PSY100, PSY201, PSY202, PSY203 will satisfy this requirement.
3	CIS250 may be substituted for BA150
5	PE231, HE250 or three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses will satisfy this requirement.
6	Specific Electives may be substituted:  Any ART, BA,CS/CIS, or DD course not otherwise required within the degree; MTH course higher than MTH60.
7	MTH65, MTH95, MTH98, or higher, excluding MTH211, may be substituted for MTH60.
8	SP100, SP111, SP218, SP219 will satisfy this requirement.
*	All Honors courses may substitute for their equivalent requirements.