Important VC Program Information
Things to do before applying for the Visual Communications program at Chemeketa Community College:
- If you are new to Chemeketa, apply to the college by completing the Student Record Form (SRF). Meet with Financial Aid to see if you qualify for any assistance.
- Meet with a counselor in Counseling and Career Services (Building 2) to complete your program assessment on the Student Advising and Recommendation (SAR) Form. New students will need to take the ASSET or COMPASS (Placement) and spelling tests. You will then be assigned a pre-VC curriculum code. Take this form to Admissions in Enrollment Services (Building 2). Note: The address, email and telephone information you submit on this form are the basis for our communication with you. Any updates to this information must be made both to the college (in person or via MyChemeketa) and to the Humanities and Visual Communications Office, (Building 5, room 246).
- Attend one of the program overview sessions. If you have questions after you have attended an overview, make an appointment with an instructor during office hours.
- Enroll in any required prerequisite courses indicated on your individual assessment form. Students must complete ART115 (Basic Design), ART 116 (Basic Color Design), ART131 (Basic Drawing or higher), SSP051 (Study Skills or College Text Reading), SSP013A, B, C (Spelling), WR121 (English Composition), and MTH020 (Basic Math), and any other prerequisite courses prior to being accepted into the program. Spelling, if required, must be completed during the first year of the program. All program courses, including prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
- Assemble your application portfolio. Submit your completed materials in one package to the Humanities and Visual Communications office, (Building 5, room 246). This process is detailed here. Your application will be dated. Your date of application may determine acceptance into the program if more qualified students apply than we can accept. Only complete files will be accepted. Application materials will be screened on an ongoing basis.
- You will be notified of your admission status after screening is completed. You may reapply the following term if your application was not successful. You will be given feedback regarding the status of your application and portfolio.
- Accepted applicants will be notified that they may enter the program the following fall. This is your authorization to enroll in the core Visual Communications classes. You may begin taking available program courses, art and general education courses at any time, keeping in mind individual course prerequisites. Course offerings do change each year. Check the class schedule each term.
- On acceptance into the program, and when all program prerequisites have been met, students will be assigned the Visual Communications curriculum code. You are blocked from registering for most program classes without this code.
- Students who are notified that they need to complete additional work prior to entering the program will receive a written evaluation of their portfolio. You may contact the program chair for further information and begin working to gain admittance to the program. You may reapply each term.
- If you are on the waiting list, you will be contacted as space becomes available.
Ongoing Students
- Students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average to remain in the program. At the discretion of the program chair, you may be placed on one-term probation if your grades dip below that point.
- A student review will be conducted during spring term. At that time you will have an opportunity to present your work and discuss career options with your assigned program advisor. This is required before entering the second year of the program. If you are on a three or more year plan, this review will be held every spring.
