Career Pathway Certificate

About the Program

The Adobe^® Applications Technician Career Pathway Certificate prepares students for work in entry-level positions in the graphic design industry where a working knowledge of Adobe^® Creative Cloud applications is required. Courses can be applied to the one-year Design and Digital Media certificate and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Design and Digital Media. The AAS is designed to prepare students for employment in various design-related industries and fields, including Web design, graphic design, publishing, advertising, media/printing/editing, or to begin careers as freelance designers.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who are interested in becoming an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) can begin by earning the Adobe^® Applications Technician Certificate.

The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. Students completing the Design and Digital Media: Adobe^® Applications Technician Career Pathway Certificate will be able to:

Create a professionally designed portfolio using appropriate digital media tools.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process.

Advanced Standing

Coursework from accredited universities will be accepted in accordance with college policies and the Visual Art and Design Department Chair’s approval. In order to ensure that coursework is current, program courses over ten years old must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate department chair before being accepted toward core requirements. Credits earned in the successful completion of Career Pathways certificates can be applied to other certificates and degrees in the Career Pathway. For more information, speak to a program advisor.

Completion Requirements

Students must complete courses with at least a “C-” or better grade and they must have at least a 2.0 program GPA. Certain courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis. A grade of “P” for these courses indicates a student earned the equivalent of a “C-” or better grade. This guide lays out an optimal path to graduate. Where zero credits are listed in the prerequisites, students may place into a higher level(s) based on designated placement. Note: some prerequisites may be required for graduation. Please consult an advisor with any program completion questions.