Digital Arts Associate in Applied Science
Anticipated 2026FA start – Pending State Tech System and DOE approvals.
Mission Statement
The Visual Arts Department drives personal and economic growth in the visual arts community by providing an extensive curriculum of academic offerings for educational and art career advancement while supporting the college’s mission, vision, values and strategic imperatives.
Program Description
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Digital Arts equips students with practical skills and industry tools for competitive careers in the creative sector. With flexible concentrations and 15+ additional hours of specialized coursework, the AAS offers a customizable path that surpasses certificates and AA degrees—and may even rival four-year programs in professional readiness.
Program Options
This program is available in four concentrations: Digital Media Photo, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or Website Design . The Digital Arts Associate in Applied Science degree allows students to select one of the following concentrations. Students can only be awarded ONE associate in applied science degree in Digital Arts. If students want to expand their knowledge of other Visual Arts areas of study, they may consider any available certificate under Visual Arts. Likewise, individual certificates can only be awarded once.
Embedded Certificate
This program contains one or more embedded certificates which will automatically be awarded if the certificate requirements are met unless the student completes and submits the Program of Study Change Form requesting to opt out of the embedded certificate.
- The Digital Media Photo Concentration prepares students for careers in photography and visual media through hands-on training with professional equipment and editing software. Coursework includes digital photography, studio lighting, photo editing, visual storytelling, and open visual arts electives. Graduates are ready for roles such as commercial photographer, portrait photographer, photo editor, or visual content creator, and are well-prepared for continued study in visual arts.
- The Fine Arts Concentration supports creative development through an interdisciplinary approach that blends technical proficiency with conceptual exploration. Students gain a comprehensive foundation in visual arts and art history, with advanced studio courses that enhance work readiness. The flexible curriculum includes core studies in design, business practices, and portfolio development, allowing students to align their academic path with diverse career goals and artistic interests. Graduates are prepared for roles in studio art, arts administration, education, or further study in visual arts.
- The Graphic Design Concentration prepares students for careers in graphic design and related fields through hands-on training with industry-standard software and equipment. Coursework covers technical skills, drawing, design history, web design, typography, pre-press production, photography, and open visual arts electives. Graduates are ready for roles such as graphic designer, web designer, publication designer, or visual communications specialist, and are well-prepared for continued study in visual arts.
- The Website Design Concentration prepares students for careers in web design and digital media through hands-on training with industry-standard software and tools. Coursework includes web design principles, user experience (UX), interface design, coding fundamentals, digital graphics, and open visual arts electives. Graduates are ready for roles such as web designer, front-end developer, digital content creator, or UX/UI specialist, and are well-prepared for continued study in visual arts.
Entrance Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent.
Type of Program
Day
Transfer Options
Students planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in visual arts are strongly urged to utilize Greenville Technical College’s academic advising services. The transfer process for specific career pathways is very specific and leaves little opportunity for error in choosing classes. It is very important that students discuss curriculum and transfer requirements with their assigned academic advisor and with a transfer advisor at the four-year institution of their choice. It is most beneficial to the student if these discussions begin as soon as the choice to transfer to a four-year institution has been made.
Employment Opportunities
Greenville Technical College’s Department of Visual Arts program is well respected in the arts community for the strongest Problem-Oriented Project Based Learning experiences that allow graduates to go directly to work in areas such as advertising, public relation, graphic design, web design and professional photography or to move on to a four-year institution with a strong portfolio and the skills to succeed.
Visit our web page at: https://www.gvltec.edu/academics_learning/arts-sciences/visual_arts/index.html
Listed below is the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.
The following roadmaps assume fall, spring, and summer enrollment for the duration of the program; however, students may start in any term.
Digital Media Photo Concentration Recommended Program Schedule
| Preferred Sequence | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| COL 105 | Freshman Seminar | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ARV 110 | Computer Graphics I | 3 |
| ARV 121 | Design | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 106 | History of Photography | 3 |
| ARV 114 | Photography I | 3 |
| or ARV 212 | Digital Photography | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| ART 101 | Art History & Appreciation | 3 |
| ARV 230 | Visual Arts Business Procedures | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ARV 214 | Photography II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| College Algebra With Modeling | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Probability and Statistics | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics | ||
Natural Science Elective (College Transferable) | ||
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12-13 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| ARV 215 | Photography III | 3 |
| ARV 280 | Visual Arts Exit Portfolio | 3 |
| ART 290 | Photojournalism | 3 |
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or SPC 209 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Total Required Credit Hours | 60-61 | |
- 1
Visual Arts Electives:
ART 105 Film As Art
ART 106 History of Photography
ART 107 History of Early Western Art
ART 108 History of Western Art
ART 111 Basic Drawing I
ART 112 Basic Drawing II
ART 200 Type Designing
ART 202 Ceramics
ART 203 Ceramics II
ART 207 Printmaking
ART 208 Art Since 1945
ART 210 History of Graphic Design
ART 211 Introduction to Painting
ART 268 Seminar in Fine Arts
ART 290 Photojournalism
ART 299 Research in Visual Arts
ARV 114 Photography I
ARV 122 3-Dimensional Design I
ARV 205 Graphic Illustration
ARV 210 Computer Graphics II
ARV 212 Digital Photography
ARV 214 Photography II
ARV 215 Photography III
ARV 217 Computer Imagery
ARV 222 Computer Animation
ARV 227 Web Site Design I
ARV 228 Web Site Design II
ARV 241 Painting II
ARV 244 Sculpture I
ARV 276 Studio Practicum I
COL 111 E-Learning Success
MKT 101 Marketing
- 2
For students with the intent of transfer to a senior institution, choose PSC 201 American Government as the social science requirement. South Carolina Act 26 of 2021, the “REACH Act”, requires undergraduate students completing a baccalaureate degree to complete a three-credit course that requires, at a minimum, the reading of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, five Federalist Papers, and one document foundational to the African American Struggle; collectively known as the “Founding Documents.”
Fine Arts Concentration Recommended Program Schedule
| Preferred Sequence | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| COL 105 | Freshman Seminar | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ARV 110 | Computer Graphics I | 3 |
| ARV 121 | Design | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 101 | Art History & Appreciation | 3 |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or SPC 209 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ARV 114 | Photography I | 3 |
| or ARV 212 | Digital Photography | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| College Algebra With Modeling | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Probability and Statistics | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics | ||
Natural Science Elective (College Transferable) | ||
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12-13 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| ARV 230 | Visual Arts Business Procedures | 3 |
| ARV 280 | Visual Arts Exit Portfolio | 3 |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Total Required Credit Hours | 60-61 | |
- 1
Visual Arts Electives:
ART 105 Film As Art
ART 106 History of Photography
ART 107 History of Early Western Art
ART 108 History of Western Art
ART 111 Basic Drawing I
ART 112 Basic Drawing II
ART 200 Type Designing
ART 202 Ceramics
ART 203 Ceramics II
ART 207 Printmaking
ART 208 Art Since 1945
ART 210 History of Graphic Design
ART 211 Introduction to Painting
ART 268 Seminar in Fine Arts
ART 290 Photojournalism
ART 299 Research in Visual Arts
ARV 114 Photography I
ARV 122 3-Dimensional Design I
ARV 205 Graphic Illustration
ARV 210 Computer Graphics II
ARV 212 Digital Photography
ARV 214 Photography II
ARV 215 Photography III
ARV 217 Computer Imagery
ARV 222 Computer Animation
ARV 227 Web Site Design I
ARV 228 Web Site Design II
ARV 241 Painting II
ARV 244 Sculpture I
ARV 276 Studio Practicum I
COL 111 E-Learning SuccessMKT 101 Marketing
- 2
For students with the intent of transfer to a senior institution, choose PSC 201 American Government as the social science requirement. South Carolina Act 26 of 2021, the “REACH Act”, requires undergraduate students completing a baccalaureate degree to complete a three-credit course that requires, at a minimum, the reading of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, five Federalist Papers, and one document foundational to the African American Struggle; collectively known as the “Founding Documents.”
Graphic Design Concentration Recommended Program Schedule
| Preferred Sequence | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| COL 105 | Freshman Seminar | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ARV 110 | Computer Graphics I | 3 |
| ARV 121 | Design | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 101 | Art History & Appreciation | 3 |
| ART 111 | Basic Drawing I | 3 |
| ARV 210 | Computer Graphics II | 3 |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| ARV 227 | Web Site Design I | 3 |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ART 210 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART 200 | Type Designing | 3 |
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or SPC 209 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| ARV 114 | Photography I | 3 |
| or ARV 212 | Digital Photography | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| ARV 230 | Visual Arts Business Procedures | 3 |
| ARV 217 | Computer Imagery | 3 |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| College Algebra With Modeling | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Probability and Statistics | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics | ||
Natural Science Elective (College Transferable) | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12-13 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| ARV 280 | Visual Arts Exit Portfolio | 3 |
| Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Total Required Credit Hours | 60-61 | |
- 1
Visual Arts Electives:
ART 105 Film As Art
ART 106 History of Photography
ART 107 History of Early Western Art
ART 108 History of Western Art
ART 111 Basic Drawing I
ART 112 Basic Drawing II
ART 200 Type Designing
ART 202 Ceramics
ART 203 Ceramics II
ART 207 Printmaking
ART 208 Art Since 1945
ART 210 History of Graphic Design
ART 211 Introduction to Painting
ART 268 Seminar in Fine Arts
ART 290 Photojournalism
ART 299 Research in Visual Arts
ARV 114 Photography I
ARV 122 3-Dimensional Design I
ARV 205 Graphic Illustration
ARV 210 Computer Graphics II
ARV 212 Digital Photography
ARV 214 Photography II
ARV 215 Photography III
ARV 217 Computer Imagery
ARV 222 Computer Animation
ARV 227 Web Site Design I
ARV 228 Web Site Design II
ARV 241 Painting II
ARV 244 Sculpture I
ARV 276 Studio Practicum I
MKT 101 MarketingCOL 111 E-Learning Success- 2
For students with the intent of transfer to a senior institution, choose PSC 201 American Government as the social science requirement. South Carolina Act 26 of 2021, the “REACH Act”, requires undergraduate students completing a baccalaureate degree to complete a three-credit course that requires, at a minimum, the reading of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, five Federalist Papers, and one document foundational to the African American Struggle; collectively known as the “Founding Documents.”
Website Design Concentration Recommended Program Schedule
| Preferred Sequence | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| COL 105 | Freshman Seminar | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ARV 110 | Computer Graphics I | 3 |
| ARV 121 | Design | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 101 | Art History & Appreciation | 3 |
| ARV 227 | Web Site Design I | 3 |
| ARV 114 | Photography I | 3 |
| or ARV 212 | Digital Photography | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| ARV 210 | Computer Graphics II | 3 |
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or SPC 209 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ART 210 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| ARV 228 | Web Site Design II | 3 |
| ARV 214 | Photography II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| College Algebra With Modeling | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Probability and Statistics | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics | ||
Natural Science Elective (College Transferable) | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12-13 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| ARV 230 | Visual Arts Business Procedures | 3 |
| ARV 276 | Studio Practicum I | 3 |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Visual Arts Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| ARV 280 | Visual Arts Exit Portfolio | 3 |
| Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
| Total Required Credit Hours | 60-61 | |
- 1
Visual Arts Electives:
ART 105 Film As Art
ART 106 History of Photography
ART 107 History of Early Western Art
ART 108 History of Western Art
ART 111 Basic Drawing I
ART 112 Basic Drawing II
ART 200 Type Designing
ART 202 Ceramics
ART 203 Ceramics II
ART 207 Printmaking
ART 208 Art Since 1945
ART 210 History of Graphic Design
ART 211 Introduction to Painting
ART 268 Seminar in Fine Arts
ART 290 Photojournalism
ART 299 Research in Visual Arts edited Course
ARV 114 Photography I edited Course
ARV 122 3-Dimensional Design I
ARV 205 Graphic Illustration
ARV 210 Computer Graphics II
ARV 212 Digital Photography
ARV 214 Photography II
ARV 215 Photography III
ARV 217 Computer Imagery
ARV 222 Computer Animation
ARV 227 Web Site Design I
ARV 228 Web Site Design II
ARV 241 Painting II
ARV 244 Sculpture I
ARV 276 Studio Practicum I
COL 111 E-Learning Success
MKT 101 Marketing
- 2
For students with the intent of transfer to a senior institution, choose PSC 201 American Government as the social science requirement. the 'REACH ACT", requires undergraduate students completing a baccalaureate degree to complete a three-credit course that requires, at a minimum, the reading of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, Five Federalist Papers, and one document foundational to the African American Struggle; collectively known as the "Founding Documents".