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Advertising and Graphic Design

Associate in Arts



Program Details

The Advertising and Graphic Design Associate in Arts Degree is designed for students seeking employment in the advertising and graphic design industry. Students are guided through presentation and portfolio creation process throughout the program. This program is not designed to transfer to a UC or CSU institution, but may transfer to a private four year school of art with specialized focus upon Advertising and Graphic Arts. This degree requires a total of 18 units in the major, in addition to other graduation requirements.

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Advertising and Graphic Design Pathways

Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2026-2027. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?

Featured Careers

Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • Art Directors

    Bachelor's degree

    • Job growth: Stable
    • Low salary: 61,060
    • High salary: 211,410
    • Average salary: 111040
    Stable Job Growth $ 111,040 Average Salary $61,060 $211,410

  • Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

    Master's degree, Doctoral degree

    • Job growth: Stable
    • Low salary: 47,040
    • High salary: 194,530
    • Average salary: 80190
    Stable Job Growth $ 80,190 Average Salary $47,040 $194,530

  • Graphic Designers

    Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED

    • Job growth: Stable
    • Low salary: 37,600
    • High salary: 103,030
    • Average salary: 61300
    Stable Job Growth $ 61,300 Average Salary $37,600 $103,030

All Careers in Advertising and Graphic Design (19)

Art DirectorsBachelor's degreeStable111,040
Web AdministratorsBachelor's degree, Some collegeRising108,970
Database AdministratorsBachelor's degreeRising104,620
Architecture Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral degree, Professional degreeStable101,480
Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsBachelor's degree, Some collegeStable99,800
Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degreeDeclining98,670
Video Game DesignersBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDRising98,090
Web DevelopersBachelor's degree, Certificate after high schoolRising90,930
Area, Ethnic, & Cultural Studies Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral degree, Master's degreeStable84,290
Producers & DirectorsBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDRising83,480
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree, Doctoral degreeStable80,190
English Language & Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral degree, Master's degreeDeclining78,270
Writers & AuthorsBachelor's degree, Some collegeStable72,270
Film & Video EditorsBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeStable70,980
Graphic DesignersBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDStable61,300
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & IllustratorsSome college, Bachelor's degreeStable60,560
Desktop PublishersHigh school diploma/GED, Bachelor's degreeDeclining53,620
Self-Enrichment TeachersMaster's degree, Certificate after high schoolStable45,590
Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree, Master's degreeStable44,930

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.

  1. Create computer generated, comprehensive, publication designs that are suitable for inclusion in a student's portfolio.
  2. Apply the terminology of computer graphics to communications within the field of digital media.
  3. Demonstrate a beginning knowledge of contemporary and historical graphic design.
  4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of electronic prepress, typography, paper specification, and commercial printing methods.