Program: Graphic Communications: Web Design, AAS - College of Southern Nevada

2025-2026 Catalog and Student Handbook

Jul 11, 2025

CODE: GRCWD-AAS | TOTAL CREDITS: 60 | FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY: Eligible

This degree is not intended for transfer to UNLV, UNR, or NSU. Some of the courses may be eligible for transfer depending on the policies of the institution you are transferring to. Students who wish to transfer should consult with their assigned advising unit.

ACADEMIC MAP: Map: CSN AAS Graphic Communications: Web Design

SCHOOL: School of Advanced and Applied Technologies

DEPARTMENT: Department of Media Technologies

AREA OF STUDY: Art & Design

DESCRIPTION

This program trains people to use digital tools for employment in design and creative production fields. Although a degree is not necessary for initial employment, students who complete an AAS degree have a good chance for employment that is profitable. Students will learn concepts and approaches to technology necessary for lifelong learning. This degree is directed toward designing, producing, and assembling digital assets into professional communications and deliverables. Graphic Designer may design identity and collateral materials (like logos, brochures, advertising materials) or layouts for print or web publications. The Web Designer creates graphics, presentations (some interactive), web pages targeted for viewing on a screen.

NEED HELP WITH THIS DEGREE OR SELECTING A COURSE?

For advising assistance, log into MyCSN and access your advising unit’s information from the advising notice in the communication center.
If you are on academic warning, probation or suspension, or financial aid warning or suspension, please see an Academic Counselor by visiting Counseling and Retention Services.

Student Learning Outcomes

Diagnose and provide solutions that meet spoken and visual communication challenges using graphic design appropriate for a targeted audience/market.
Create marketable vector and bitmap artwork using a variety of techniques at a professional level using industry workflow applicable to graphic design, multimedia, and online development.
Assemble deliverables for digital and printed communication media.
Provide professional portfolio quality designs, illustrations, typography, and layouts.
Model appropriate and acceptable soft skills in a team environment required for entry-level employment in the field of graphic communications.

General Education Requirements

TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION CREDITS: 22

300-level and above courses cannot be used to satisfy GE requirements.

Mathematics (3 Credits)

^{NOTE: Your first college-level MATH course MUST be completed before reaching 30 total college-level credits.}

MATH 104B - Applied Mathematics
or MATH 120 - Fundamentals of College Mathematics
or MATH 120E - Fundamentals of College Mathematics Expanded
or MATH 124 - College Algebra
or MATH 124E - College Algebra Expanded or above
_{REMINDER: If a student does not place into the correct college-level MATH course, they are required to complete a preparatory or prerequisite course(s) or attempt to gain a higher score on the MATH placement exam. Such preparatory or prerequisite courses are not part of the degree, may delay degree completion, and will cause the student to complete more credits than the total listed on this degree.}

English Composition (3-5 Credits)

^{NOTE: Your first college-level ENG course MUST be completed before reaching 30 total college-level credits.}

Communications (3 Credits)

Human Relations (3 Credits)

Natural Science (3-4 Credits)

Fine Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences (3 Credits)

any AM prefix course
or ANTH 204 - Art in Cross-Cultural Perspective
or ART 101 - Drawing I
or ART 105 - Color Theory
or ART 107 - Design Fundamentals I (2-D)
or ART 135 - Photography I
or ART 141 - Introduction to Digital Photography
or ART 160 - Art Appreciation
or ART 253 - Cinema II/The Sound Era
or COM 133 - Culture and Communication
or COM 180 - Cinema as Art and Communication
or ECON 100 - Introduction to Economics
or GEOG 106 - Introduction to Cultural Geography
or any PHIL prefix course
or PSY 101 - General Psychology
or PSY 102 - Psychology of Personal and Social Adjustment
or PSY 206 - Business/Industrial Psychology
or PSY 207 - Psychology and the Family
or PSY 208 - Psychology of Human Relations
or SOC 101 - Principles of Sociology
or SOC 205 - Race and Ethnicity in Everyday Life
or SOC 210 - Introduction to Statistical Methods
or SOC 225 - Media and Society
or SOC 261 - Introduction to Social Psychology
or any THTR prefix course (except THTR 275)
or WMST 113 - Gender, Race, and Class

U.S. and Nevada Constitutions (4-6 Credits)

Four Credit Options
HIST 100 - Historical Issues and Contemporary Society
or PSC 101 - Introduction to American Politics
Six Credit Options
HIST 101 - U.S. History to 1877
and HIST 102 - U.S. History Since 1877
or
HIST 101 - U.S. History to 1877
and HIST 217 - Nevada History
or
HIST 102 - U.S. History Since 1877
and HIST 111 - Survey of U.S. Constitutional History
or
HIST 111 - Survey of U.S. Constitutional History
and HIST 217 - Nevada History

Major Requirements

TOTAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS CREDITS: 38

Grades of D+, D, and D- in the major requirements (occupational) area in an Associate of Applied Science degree program will not count toward graduation requirements.

GRC 101 - Introduction to Graphic Communications
and GRC 103 - Introduction to Computer Graphics
and GRC 104 - Layout and Typography
and GRC 107 - Introduction to Visual Design
and GRC 110 - Drawing and Illustration
and GRC 119 - Digital Media
and GRC 140 - Print Production with InDesign
and GRC 156 - Design with Illustrator
and GRC 175 - Web Design I
and GRC 183 - Design with Photoshop
and GRC 275 - Web Design II
and GRC 276 - Web Design III
and GRC 294 - Portfolio Prep