FAQ's for VCT

Uniqueness of the program?

  • The Visual Communications Technology program is unique in that we allow you to enter our program at any quarter.
  • There is no special admission to the program.
  • You may set your own schedule towards a degree or work with a faculty to customize your path.
  • VCT Faculty have the ability to look at your previous design or software skills or work to place you appropriately into the degree program through academic credit for prior learning or substitutions.
  • We strongly encourage you to work towards a 2-year degree to become competitive in the workforce. However, you can start on a short-term certificate and move seamlessly to the 1-year Certificate of Proficiency and on to the 2 year Degree.
  • If you are interested in transferring to a 4 year school in design or new media -we have suggestions for how to use your electives to better prepare you. We do not want you to have to retake classes!
     

    Technology/Equipment

  • VCT online computer requirement: If you are taking an online VCT class, you are required to have a Windows or Mac computer with a minimum of 8GB of RAM (16 GB recommended) and 256 GB of HD space. Phones. Tablets and Chrome OS devices are not adequate to complete VCT Coursework.
  • If a class is not full, you may ask the teaching faculty if you may use an open computer. Please be respectful to their class-time and others.
  • It is expected to work on learning software skills outside of classes with tutorials and applied use as that is expected in the industry.
  • The quicker you are along with the willingness to learn different software to solve your design problems makes you highly competitive in industry.

How do I start the program?

  • There are many ways you may have come to find the VCT program: just out of high school, Worksource Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, BFET and international education programs. You are not alone!
  • Take advantage of your initial College contacts to get a current understanding of the College,the many degrees and services we offer.
  • Your initial contact at Shoreline CC is there to get you registered for your first quarter. They may even assist you in registration for all other quarters at Shoreline.
  • Midway through your first quarter, please meet with a faculty advisor in VCT to plan out the rest of your program. They are the content experts and faculty advisors that will be signing off on your degree completion and graduation requirements including any substitutions or waivers.

Advisors:

You can change your advisors anytime .
AI Yates  ayates@shoreline.edu
Parisa Ghaderi - pghaderi@shoreline.edu
Christine Shafner -  cshafner@shoreline.edu-Christine is on Sabbatical Fall 2025 and Winter Quarter 2026
 

First Quarter:

  • Please follow our degree planner as suggestions to complete your degree, meet with a VCT faculty advisor – not everyone takes the same path!  First quarter classes always include suggestions for the following:
  • ART 109 2D design - learn foundation design skills
  • VCT 101Graphic Design I- Typography, history and breaking the rules of design by learning when you can and should!
  • VCT 124 and VCT 125  is basic computer operation vocabulary and digital imaging breakdown for mac and windows operating systems.
  • VCT 112 could be taken early on your planning or you may wait until later quarters.
  • Art 144 Photography or Art 131 Drawing- great classes for composition- both will help you with your computer skills in understanding light and line, as well as observation.
  • *General Education requirements such as Math or English- if it's been awhile out of school - start totackle early and often.
     

    Short term certificates:

    Our short term certificates may be foundational or specialized and are designed to support our 2 year degree program or augment degrees with additional skills sets. Please see a VCT faculty advisor to make sure that the certificate you are seeking align with your experience, education and goals.

FALL 2025 notes:

  • During this year the VCT program will be going through the process to make changes to the degree for refinement and update to current industry standards.
  • Content or course descriptions may change throughout the year and be formalized for 2026-27
  • Portfolio assessment is required. Keep all of your work that you generate in classes, each project should include an assessment rubric that includes BOTH technical and conceptual skills so that you may compile your work efficiently throughout your quarters.

Specializations

  • For 2022 going forward:
  • VCT 207, VCT 227 and VCT 237 are the only available specializations during program revisions. Please sign up for these classes regardless of your degree options. 
  • Please speak with an VCT faculty advisor before signing up for more than 1 VCT Specialization course.
  • If you need help in filling out your quarter with classes please see a VCT faculty advisor.