planning hints & tips

1st quarter | general ed | foundation courses | tutors | curriculum | portfolio | general hints

It is intended that you meet with an advisor prior to registering
The following information will help you in planning for the VCT programs.


Any combination of the following would be great first quarter classes (these are nor listed in any specific order.)
• Art 100 Photography
• Art 105 Drawing (regardless of specialization, recommended)
• Art 109 2-D Design
• VCT 124 Basic Mac and VCT 125 Intro to Image Construction
• VCT 101/ART 205 Graphic Design I need this course in the 1st quarter to keep to 6 quarter sequence
• VCT 111 Survey of Current Image Production
• Any Gen Ed class(es)


General Education notes
• The list is a recommended list of General Education courses. See your advisor for more options.
• If you have taken courses from another college or have earned a degree,bring your transcripts.
• If you have never worked on a Windows platform, CIS 105 should be taken for cross-platform reasons.
• Red Cross Certification is required for VCT degree students (see your advisor).

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VCT Foundation notes
• The VCT Foundation Classes on the planning sheet are listed in logical order, not chronologically.
• Skipping around in that area as prerequisites allow is OK. (see an advisor if you have questions).


DO NOT LEAVE GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR LAST
• Take them as your schedule allows or use summer quarters
• Focus on VCT courses during Fall, Winter, Spring.

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Tutors Available
• See your Advisor or the Instructional Assistant for information on how to utilize our tutorial services.
• VCT students have available at no charge an instructional assistant to help with course content.
• VCT students have available at no charge tutors to assist with learning for all VCT courses.

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Curriculum notes
• A competency test for VCT 124 is available if you feel you know the material in the course.
• A competency test for VCT 125 is available if you feel you know the material in the course.
It is INTENDED that students take 124 and 125 in the same quarter

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Portfolio
• Most class assignments are completed by a production piece.
• Each of these pieces are prospective pieces for your final portfolio.
• Think PORTFOLIO in all of your classes.
• Your graduate portfolio should contain product pieces, and all work that is entailed, such as concept books, thumbnails, and etc. (When it doubt, don’t throw it out!)
• Your instructors will be giving you more information regarding portfolios in your courses.
• It is a good idea to contact the portfolio instructor to get an idea of what to retain for inclusion.
• Portfolios should be completed in the last quarter before graduation.
• Once you get to VCT Portfolio, please see your faculty advisor or the identified portfolio instructor.

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General Hints
• If you are brand new to computers, CIS 105 and VCT 124/125 should not be taken the same quarter.

• Don’t take too many computer courses in one quarter without a home computer with appropriate software.

• Utilize open lab times in the evenings and weekends.

• Don’t take too many project oriented courses in one quarter, unless you are aware of the workload entailed.

• Usually 5-6 hours each week for each project class taken.

• It is recommended that Art 109 be taken before VCT 101

• Graphic Design option*take Art 109 and VCT 101 concurrently during first quarter.

• If you are intending to transfer to a four year school please see your faculty advisor as soon as possible.

• You must have completed 35 credits in the VCT program to qualify for a VCT sponsored internship.

• An internship for credit may be started at any time during the quarter.

• Print internships are required, internships are strongly recommended but not required for other VCT specializations.

• Work with an advisor, Intern. Coordinator and the instructor for VCT 212 to receive VCT internship credits

• See the designated instructor for VCT 212 for detailed instructions and Internship Packet.


NEW STUDENTS MEET WITH A FACULTY ADVISOR NO LATER THAN THE 6TH WEEK OF YOUR FIRST QUARTER!