Interactive Media Production (AAS)
Award: Associate of Applied Science Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Assistant Professor Rachel Kalwa, 443-412-2678, rakalwa@harford.edu, or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
This program is currently pending MHEC approval. Please see the 2023-2024 Harford Community College catalog for the required courses currently prescribed for this program of study.
Program Description
The HCC Interactive Media Program is a multidisciplinary degree in which students complete a series of core classes in interactive media covering topics such as User Experience (UX), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), web and social media platform development, and game development. Students tailor their program with electives in focus areas such as Computer Science, Mass Communications, and the Arts. Students use new media technology and critical thinking in the development, design, and implementation of interactive projects that solve real world problems and prepare students for emerging professions and transfer to 4-year programs.
Program Goals
- Apply media tools, art and design concepts, and computer science skills to develop real world projects that support interactive experiences.
- Implement human-computer interaction concepts and immersive design concepts.
- Use problem solving and creativity to design interactive media projects.
- Create professional-level interactive media for targeted and diverse groups within the global community.\\n
- Analyze user needs and efficiently manage projects, applying teamwork skills in a collaborative environment.
Employment Information
Interactive media is a thriving field with job opportunities starting at the associate degree level both regionally and nationwide. The degree is designed for entry-level jobs in digital design such as user interface designer, multimedia technician, video producer, production engineer, motion graphics artist, and other emerging fields. All students will take core classes in computer information systems and the arts. Student will then be able to select courses with either a technical or a creative focus, depending on their employment goals. Overall employment is projected to grow 16 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
This degree produces graduates sought after by employers in both the private and public sector. See also the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report for web developers and digital designers.
The required courses shown are pending MHEC approval. Please see the 2023-2024 Harford Community College catalog for the required courses currently prescribed for this program of study.
Diversity Requirement
To satisfy the diversity requirement: Associate degree students must complete one 3-credit diversity course (D). It is recommended that students select one of the 3-credit (GB), (GH), (GI) course electives from those that also appear on the approved list of diversity course graduation requirements.
Required Courses
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| IM 110 | Entertainment and Interactive Media Production | 3 |
| CIS 102 | Introduction to Information Sciences (GI) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (GM) 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| IM 160 | Interactive Studio Workshop | 3 |
| ART 101 or ART 107 | Fundamentals of 2D Design or Fundamentals of 3-D Design | 3 |
| CIS 119 | Programming I: Java | 4 |
| ART 120 | Digital Foundations I | 3 |
| Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL) | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| IM 230 | Introduction to UX (User Experience) and Immersive Experience | 3 |
| MC 204 | Video Production | 3 |
| MC 102 | Audio Production | 3 |
| ART 103 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (GH)(D) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| IM 260 | Interactive Media Capstone | 3 |
| Restricted Electives 2 | 9 | |
| Physical Education | 1 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Students planning on taking Computer Science courses will need to take Calculus, a 4-credit math course. Students should seek advice from faculty and their advisor based on employment and/or transfer goals.
- 2
Students may select restricted electives from any 3 credit or above courses in the following areas: IMP, ART, MC, PHOT, CIS, and CSI. Please see the list of recommended courses for focus areas in creative or technology and speak to relevant faculty and an advisor regarding their specific career and/or transfer needs.
Program Notes:
Relevant special topics courses will also be available to keep up with contemporary trends.
Course substitutions are available with instructor and dean approval.
Restricted Electives: Creative & Technological Focus Areas
Students should pick electives as advised by faculty and advisors for their specific career or transfer needs.
Relevant special topics will be available to keep up with contemporary trends.
Creative Focus Recommended Electives
Check catalog for prerequisites
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 160 | Time-Based Media | 3 |
| ART 229 | Design for the Web | 3 |
| ART 230 | 2-D Computer Animation | 3 |
| ART 231 | 3-D Modeling and Animation | 3 |
| BA 225 | Project Management | 3 |
| MUS 215 | Introduction to Electronic Music | 3 |
| PHOT 131 | Fundamentals of Digital Photography | 3 |
Technology Focus Recommended Electives
Check catalog for prerequisites
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS 115 | Fundamentals of Programming | 3 |
| CIS 217 | Introduction to Web Programming | 3 |
| CIS 229 | Python Programming Language | 4 |
| CSI 131 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CIS 136 | Introduction to Internet Technologies | 3 |
| CIS 214 | Programming II: Java | 4 |
| BA 225 | Project Management | 3 |
Transfer Information
An A.A.S. degree is designed as a go-to-work degree. Students interested in transferring to a four-year institution in UX, interactive media, or game design should see an advisor. Some will want to enroll in this degree program while others will be better served by a degree in Art & Design or Computer Science, depending on their transfer goals.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)