Information Technology
Certificate of Applied Science • 61 Credit Hours
The Mountwest Graphic Design program trains students in computer/digital-literacy as well as critical thinking, the creative process, communication and collaboration, along with a solid understanding and application of the fundamentals of design. Students are given hands-on projects and internship opportunities that provide practice for the kinds of tasks they will do on the job.
Digital graphics | social media posts, videos and animations | advertisements | layouts and publications | logo design and branding systems | illustration | digital photography | photo retouching, correcting and special effects | image generation with AI, and so much more!
Classes are offered in a variety of modalities (web, remote, in-person, flex) to meet student needs and schedules.
Most all companies have communication and marketing needs, and online content, digital advertising and social media marketing have become increasingly important in attracting and communicating with customers.
Companies need designers to create assets and improve efforts to reach consumers. Additionally, as mobile devices are increasingly used for a variety of personal, business and entertainment purposes, there is a need for creating content that can be used across various screens.
Creativity and digital skills are essential for today’s rapidly changing economy. Successful designers use their talents, skills and entrepreneurial thinking to contribute to a business or start their own enterprises.
The rewards, satisfaction and flexibility of the graphic design profession far exceed those of many other fields of work.
Program Learning Outcomes:
1. Apply the creative thinking process in the development of design projects.
2. Utilize critical thinking methods in the development of design projects.
3. Apply Principles and Elements of Design to creative works.
4. Produce quality, modern design materials in a variety of media.
5. Utilize technology, including design and presentation software, word processing and the Internet.
6. Communicate effectively in written work, in conversation and when giving presentations.
7. Apply numerical skills appropriate for design applications.
Graphic Designer
2022 Median Pay
$57,990 per year / $27.88 per hour
Number of Jobs
270,900 in 2022
Job Outlook
3% (As fast as average)
For the most current salary information, please refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Occupational Outlook Handbook” found online at bls.gov/ooh/.
Classes are offered in a variety of modalities (web, remote, in-person, flex) to meet student needs and schedules.
We use open and free resources as much as possible so students don’t have to purchase expensive textbooks.
Many of the students are involved in various clubs at the college, the Mountwest Student Government Association, and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Many have served as work-study students, Peer Tutors and Peer Coaches. They are given opportunities for paid and unpaid internships. These activities provide leadership and professional experiences for their resumes.
For most students, you will begin in Fall semester and if you stay on the recommended track and successfully complete your Graphic Design, IT, and general education courses, you will finish in two years over four semesters, and you’ll complete 61 college credit hours. If you wish to go part-time, we can work with you to develop a pathway for you to finish over a slightly longer period of time. But remember, core classes are offered in a Fall to Spring setup, so you have to keep in mind that some are only offered in the Fall, and some only in the Spring semesters. Besides the degree, you can also earn a certificate and skill set from the college as additional credentials. You also have the option to study for and take Adobe Certified Associate exams – which is an impressive credential to have besides your college degree. A great portfolio, a degree and professional certificates show employers you’re serious about your career and have attained skills to apply in the workplace.
Community College has small class sizes, personal attention, lots of support resources and classes in your major where you get hands-on projects right away that are based on real-life work scenarios. Mountwest programs are set up to prepare students for careers or to transfer to a university to complete a four-year degree.
You certainly can. Mountwest is an accredited college, so your credits are considered valid at universities. We also have articulation agreements with Marshall University and West Virginia State University, so students can transfer all of their college credits toward earning a Graphic Design degree at these institutions. Some of my students come into my program knowing that they want to get all they can out of their time with me, and then finish a degree at a university. We help set you up for success here at Mountwest.
People who pursue Graphic Design as a career typically have these qualities – some might surprise you. They are:
• scholarly: good at paying attention, following instructions, and learning new things
• organized: able to manage multiple projects and deadlines, and keep your files and assignments organized
• artistic (expressed through drawing, painting, sculpting, making videos, photography, music, writing, participating in theatrical productions, things like that
• creative: observant, full of ideas, intuitive, enjoys making things and expressing yourself
• curious: loves researching, exploring, collecting things, observing, questioning
• humanist: interested in how people feel, think, act, behave, and respond
• tech savvy: enjoys computers, digital devices, new technology, and learning to use new software
• intersectional: able to take in information from many different places and synthesize it into your work
• focused: ability to spend extended amounts of time and effort on tasks
• self-directed: often able to figure things out on your own, solve problems and set and achieve goals
• hard-working: acquiring the necessary skills and developing quality graphics is not easy
• collaborative: ability to work with others to complete projects
• open to critique: you can’t improve and grow if you don’t accept input and suggestions Graphic Design offers many career paths – some are well established, and others are newly emerging. The best students are the ones who are focused, hard-working, passionate about design, and love learning new things.
Visual content is becoming increasingly important across all industries, whether commercial, educational, cultural or political. The Graphic Design program at Mountwest combines creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, business and technology skills to prepare students for entry-level positions in a wide variety of occupations and industries.
The college adheres to an open admission policy which means applications with a high school diploma or GED are eligible for admission. Applicants with neither a high school diploma nor GED may be admitted on a conditional basis.
Graduates of this program are well prepared to transfer to a university to complete a four-year degree. Mountwest has 2 + 2 articulation agreements with several surrounding universities, including Marshall University and West Virginia State University.
The Mountwest Graphic Design AAS program, which began in Fall Semester of 2014, completed an articulation agreement on Oct. 6, 2015 with the Marshall University Graphic Design BFA program.
In Summer 2021, representatives from the Mountwest and Marshall programs met to renegotiate and update the articulation agreement between the schools. In recent years, Marshall changed several foundation courses for its Graphic Design degree, and recent transfer students from Mountwest were viewed by some of the MU faculty as having deficits in their knowledge and skills related to particular areas. The specific areas of concern included hand drawing techniques and photography skills.
At the conclusion of the June 7th meeting, the two groups agreed on a plan of correction that involved changing an elective Digital Photography course at Mounwest into a required course for students who planned to transfer to the Marshall Graphic Design program. Changes were also made so that the Mountwest transfer students would now be required to take a basic drawing class at Marshall to develop skills needed for the more advanced courses. The Mountwest Graphic Design professor also committed to including more drawing activities in the course learning activities, which previously had been slanted more strongly toward the digital and technical areas rather than traditional drawing techniques.
The updated articulation agreement between the Mountwest and Marshall Graphic Design programs was finalized and enacted on Aug. 5, 2021.
The projected change in employment of graphic designers varies by industry. For example, employment of graphic designers in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers is projected to decline 22 percent from 2018 to 2028.
However, employment of graphic designers in computer systems design and related services is projected to grow 24 percent over the same period. Companies are continuing to increase their digital presence, requiring graphic designers to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites.
People with entrepreneurial thinking have a positive outlook, are resourceful and motivated as they solve problems and contribute their talents to help others.
Create a noteworthy design portfolio with a wide range of projects that clearly demonstrates your effectiveness as a visual communicator.
