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Skill Set Pathways

Fuel Your Passion | Increase Your Skills | Advance Your Career

In today’s workforce, employees are often expected to have multifaceted skill sets to stay competitive and appealing to employers. Whatever the industry, students benefit by showcasing a wide range of abilities and competencies, particularly those found in the creative fields.

The Salt Lake Community College School of Arts, Communication and Media has created Skill Set Pathway certificates that provide easy access to learning in-demand skills, with small groups of focused classes that provide expertise in a wide range of disciplines. These certificates will provide students with opportunities to complement their credentials, increase their marketability to employers, and facilitate personal enrichment, all within a short amount of time. Many courses also count toward SLCC Gen Ed elective credits. Some certificate courses are intended to be taken in a specific order.

Upon completion of the required courses (with a C or better as the final grade for each course), students will receive a “Certificate of Achievement” - this certificate will not appear on official college transcripts, but can be listed on resumes or CVs to show relevant skills to potential employers. It’s never been easier to increase your skills at Salt Lake Community College!

For more information, contact the School of Arts, Communication & Media Dean’s Office (801-957-3340; SACMDeansOffice@slcc.edu).

Visual Art & Design

  • ART 1200 – InDesign Software (3 credits)
  • ART 1280 – Photoshop Software (3 credits)
  • ART 2412 – Illustrator Software (3 credits)

The SLCC Computer Graphics Essentials Pathway will provide in-depth training in the top three Adobe computer programs used in the graphic design industry. These skills may be utilized for any number of entry-level positions such as production artist or pre-press technician. Classes may be taken 100% online, 100% at night or 100% during the day.

After successfully completing the Fashion Merchandising Pathway, students will be qualified for entry level fashion show production and styling jobs. They will be able to style models for: fashion shows, print advertising, and digital marketing. Students will develop skills in interpreting trends, style and visual composition, as well as organization and production of shows, photo shoots and campaigns.

  • INTD 1010 (FA) -  Introduction to Interior Design (3 credits)
  • INTD 1100 - Drafting and Space Utilization (3 credits)
  • INTD 1200 - Color for Interiors (3 credits)

The Home Staging Pathway teaches important interior design skills, including design principles and elements, aesthetic judgement, residential space planning (for function, residential building codes, and creativity), basic understanding of residential construction documents, basic understanding of sustainable principles and materials, color theory for aesthetics and psychological effect, and presentation skills. Students will gain the training needed to become a home stager to decorate model homes or to organize, rearrange, and declutter homes that are for sale.

This certificate involves training in software and technology used in Interior Design: Adobe Suite, Auto CAD, and Revit.  Students will also gain experience using 3-D printing and virtual reality to enhance designs and presentations. These skills can be utilized to gain employment or freelance work for interior design and architecture firms, or for interior design professionals needing to learn the current software and technology currently being used in the industry.

The SLCC Introduction to Design Pathway will provide training in design, typography, and layout. In addition, students will learn the graphic design industry standard Adobe InDesign computer program used in publication and print design. These skills may be utilized for any number of entry-level positions such as production artist, layout artist, and graphic designer. Classes may be taken partially online, partially at night or 100% during the day.

The Photography Production pathway provides a comprehensive introduction to the art and craft of photography. Through hands-on experience, participants will cultivate knowledge of camera mechanics, analog and digital photographic processes, creative composition, visual communication fundamentals, and Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop software applications. Completion encourages entry level employment in the visual media industry and complements careers in a variety of fields, including business, communication, marketing, and more.

  • ART 1135 – Printing Fundamentals (3 credits)
  • ART 1200 – InDesign Software (3 credits)
  • ART 1240 – Screen Printing (3 credits)

The Print Production Pathway will provide training in different methods of printing. In addition, students will learn the graphic design industry standard Adobe InDesign computer program used in publications and print production. These skills may be utilized for a number of entry-level positions such as pre-press technician and press operator. Classes may be taken partially online, 100% at night or partially during the day.

*Please note: ART 1070: Printmaking cannot be substituted for ART 1240: Screen Printing. Students MUST complete ART 1240 as part of this Certificate’s requirements.

Film & Media/Communication

OR

The Communication Skills Pathway introduces students to a variety of basic communication theory and skills needed to be an effective communicator in their careers and relationships. Communication skills focus on public speaking, interpersonal relationships, argumentation, logic, and developing media literacy.

  • ART-1310 - Photography 1 (3 credits)
  • GEOG-2850 - Drone Digital Imaging (3 credits) *
  • FILM-1045 - Beginning Film Production (4 credits)

    OR

  • COMM-2200 Video Content Creation (3 credits)

    OR

  • ART-2470 Digital Media Production (2 credits)

The Drone Imaging Essentials Pathway offers proficiency for the art and craft of still, cinema, and video imagery essential for aerial and drone related projects. Through hands-on experience, participants will cultivate knowledge of various camera operation, digital image processes, drone flight & operation as it relates to aerial image making concepts and FAA regulation. Completion will extend skills related to still, film, and video image production utilizing drones for aerial perspectives. Encourages diverse entry level employment in the visual media industry and complements careers in a variety of fields, including photography, film, video, broadcast, communication, marketing, and more.

* - This course will be known as GEOG 2550 - Fundamentals of Drones beginning fall 2024.

  • MUSC 1520 – Intro to MIDI/Elec Music Comp (3 Credits) (Pre-req for MUSC 1540 and MUSC 2540)
  • MUSC 1540 – MIDI II/Media Music Comp (3 Credits)
  • MUSC 2540 – Advanced Musical Synthesis, Sampling & Sound Design (2 Credits)

The Electronic Music Composition Skills Pathway introduces students to the creative skills associated with creating original instrumental music and arrangements using primarily electronic and virtual instruments with a digital audio workstation (DAW). Participants learn how to design electronic and sample-based sounds and instruments. They learn how to use those instruments to create an expressive performance using MIDI controls and audio/MIDI effects, in part by building on a foundation and understanding of the acoustic instruments that preceded them. The pathway has an emphasis on hands-on learning of concepts and skills that apply across a variety of music production applications, rather than focusing on any single DAW so that students completing the pathway can successfully apply their knowledge to use whatever tools they might encounter as they build their careers in the music industry.

  • MUSC 1515 – Basic Audio Production (3 Credits)
  • MUSC 1520 – Intro to MIDI/Elec Music Comp (3 Credits) (Pre-req for MUSC 1540 and MUSC 2540)
  • MUSC 1540 – MIDI II/Media Music Comp (3 Credits)
  • MUSC 2540 – Advanced Musical Synthesis, Sampling & Sound Design (2 Credits)

The Electronic Music Production Skills Pathway adds an audio production component to the Electronic Music Composition Pathway. In addition to the compositional skills working with electronic resources, students receive foundational instruction in audio recording and mixing, including the physical aspects of sound, microphone basics, audio processing, and audio mixing.

  • FILM 1515 - Basic Audio Production (3 credits)
  • FILM 2065 - Motion Picture Sound (4 credits)

The SLCC Basic Film Audio Production Pathway will provide an in-depth understanding of audio recording and post-production sound editing for film.  Participants will experience hands-on sound recording using state-of-the-art professional audio production equipment, as well as learning and working with Audition, Pro Tools, and Cubase.

  • FLM 1045 - Beginning Film Production (4 credits)
  • FLM 1055 - Intermediate Film Production (4 credits)

The Essential Film Production Pathway will teach technical film production and storytelling techniques.  Participants will experience hands-on production using state-of-the-art professional film sound stage and location equipment, as well as learning and working with Premiere Pro, After Effects, Pro Tools, and Cubase.  This certificate will provide skills to gain entry-level employment in the film production industry.

  • COMM 1800 - Digital Media Tools & Techniques (4 credits)
  • COMM 2250 - TV Studio Production (2 credits)
  • COMM 1560 - Radio Production & Performance (ID) (3 credits)

    OR

  • COMM 2200 - TV/Video Production (3 credits)

The Media Production Pathway gives students the opportunity to work creating media in both the TV and Radio studios. Students will learn the basic skills they need to start producing engaging image, audio, video and multimedia projects.

  • COMM 1130 - Journalism and Media Writing (3 credits)
  • ENGL 1010 - Intro to Writing (3 credits)
  • COMM 2400 - Social Media Tools and Strategies (3 credits)

The Media Writing Pathway gives students the opportunity to learn to write and also have their work published, in print, online, on radio and on TV. Students will learn the basic skills they need to write across media platforms and have their voice heard.

The Photographic Essentials for Cinematography/ DP pathway offers proficiency for the art and craft of still photography essential to cinematography and the camera frame.  Through hands-on experience, participants will cultivate knowledge of camera mechanics, analog and digital photographic processes, color & gray scale concepts, creative composition, visual communication fundamentals, basic photographic light concepts, combined with Adobe Lightroom and Capture One Pro software applications. Completion encourages entry level employment in the visual media industry and complements careers in a variety of fields, including photography, film, video, broadcast, communication, marketing, and more.

NOTE: The “Photographic Essentials” certificate must be completed as a pre-requisite for earning the “Photographic Foundation” certificate.

  • ART 1340 - Photographic Light 1 (3 credits)
  • ART 2310 - Photographic Light 2 (3 credits)
  • ART 2350 - Photographing People/ Portrait (3 credits)

The Photographic Foundation for Cinematography/ DP pathway provides a vital foundation for cinematography and light design explored through the production of still photography. Utilizing hands-on experience, participants will cultivate knowledge of advanced camera operation, photographic lighting equipment, progressive light theory concepts, a profound visual communication foundation, combined with solid application of Adobe Lightroom and Capture One Pro software. Participants also enrich verbal communication, directing, and teamwork abilities. Completion encourages entry level employment in the visual media industry and complements careers in a variety of fields, including photography, film, lighting design, video, broadcast, communication, marketing, and mor

  • COMM 1560 - Radio Production & Performance (ID) (3 credits)
  • COMM 2400 - Social Media Tools and Strategies (3 credits)

The Radio/Podcast Performance Pathway gives students the opportunity to have their own radio show each week on RadioSLCC.com. Students will learn the basic skills they need to be on-air, conduct live interviews, make a podcast, and promote themselves as a radio personality via social media.

The SLCC Screenwriting Pathway will provide explore screenwriting theory and technique.  Participants will learn to write for the screen using Celtix and Movie Magic Screenwriter software.

  • MUSC 1050 – Songwriting and the Creative Process (3 Credits) (FA) (Pre-req for MUSC 1060)
  • MUSC 1060 – Songwriting II (2 Credits)

The Songwriting Skills Pathway introduces students to the creative skills associated with writing songs with lyrics. Participants learn the basics of song structure (both lyrically and musically) and learn to apply creative techniques, skills and strategies for writing successful songs that apply across a variety of genres. Topics relevant to success in the rapidly changing music industry are also discussed. Students write multiple songs in this pathway, with opportunities for recording and live performance of their original works.

Performing Arts

The Technical Theatre Skills Pathway introduces students to the techniques and strategies necessary to pursue technical theatre as a career.  Participants will learn and apply theories and techniques of theatrical construction, lighting, and scenic design.  Students will gain hands-on experience with theatrical production.

The Theatre Arts Skills Pathway introduces students to the performance techniques and strategies necessary to pursue acting as a career or pastime.  Participants will learn and apply theories of character development focused in the teachings of Stanislavski, voice control, theatrical movement, and make-up design and application for the actor.  Students will perform scenes and monologues, learn dialects, and explore range and control of voice and movement.

The Theatrical Costume Design certificate introduces students to costuming skills, techniques and design needed when costuming for live theatre, for fan events and more. Students learn and apply theories in the development of costumes for different styles of theatrical performance, for comic con and fan events and more. Students learn costume styling and character development; students build costumes from concept to creation with specialized costume arts techniques.

Already completed a Skill Set Pathway? Get your certificate!