Visual Communications Associate's Degree Schools

The Associates Degree in Visual Communications with the Concentration area in Culture and Communications is a two year degree, depending on your educational background. This degree, like all degrees, gives the student the option of using the Advance Start program if they have the prerequisite Associate's degree, making the program only two years long. This is because the student obtained the first two years of the Bachelor's degree program when they earned their Associate's degree, either a year before or twenty years before, in an eligible area.

This degree is designed to teach the skills necessary for effective communication in the public and private work areas while building on specific personal and professional experiences in communications. The goal is to enhance further the development of critical communication skills fundamental to professional competency and values. Some skills the student will develop as a base for the specialized skills are critical thinking and writing, utilization of information and collaboration skills and problem solving skills. Other skills related to the core of the specialty of Culture and Communications are within the interpersonal and mass communication skills and emphasizing theory and application of the small group and organizational domains.

Here core skill sets specialize in teaching the student the fundamentals needed to understand cultural differences in communication. Focused areas include business communications diversity, intercultural communications, conflict resolution, legal and ethical issues, media and culture and future communication technology trends. These specialties help the student to learn a well rounded all around view of all things culturally diverse in American Society.

The focus of seeing in a new global perspective and experiences of people of differing cultures is what drives the student in these classes, specifically, how communication differs by race and gender. The student will compare cultural topics such as Asian American, African American, Hispanic American, their gender and differences. Some of the classes to prepare the students for these special differing focuses of perspective are Communication Law, Genders in Society, Contemporary American Society, Contemporary Communication in a Diverse Society, and Media and Society, among many others.

Once the student finishes all the courses necessary for the degree, they will have obtained the skills and perspective necessary to continue on to a career of their choosing in the culturally diverse society we live in today. The specialized skills learned leave the student with complete cultural and social knowledge of the world around him.

Your Visual Communications Associate’s Degree will Cover

You’ll need to take courses during degree training that will teach you all about visual communications. Below are just some of the courses offered by colleges.

Multimedia and Animation – Learn all about animation for your visual communications degree. These graphic courses will help you become well rounded and understand multiple facets of design.

Website Design – Get trained in website design and layout. These days everyone needs the ability to understand the basics behind designing a website. It is a skill that once learned will assist you in finding employment after you graduate.

Marketing Theory – Often graduates will find themselves applying for jobs that are within a marketing department. Communications majors are often writers for marketing departments and taking an introduction to marketing course will teach you the basics of marketing. Who knows, you might end up really liking marketing and becoming part of a marketing department.

Graphic Designer – Learn the basics of graphic design. In visual communications you’ll need to understand and be able to work with graphic designers. Having some knowledge of design, even if you aren’t going to be a graphic designer, will be a big help.

Print Production – Being able to understand the print process is vital for any visual communications graduate. You’ll learn about specs and the print production process.

Careers in Visual Communications

One of the common misconceptions once you graduate is that you’ll find a job that is actually titled Visual Communications. The truth is this type of career is often associated with a marketing or communications department. When looking for jobs after you graduate try to stick to job titles that are listed below. As long as have the skill set your degree training will more than qualify you for the positions.

- Art Directors
- Website Designers
- Marketing Managers

- Journalism

- Radio Production
- Game Design
- Communications Specialist
- Web Producer
- Photographer
- Animator