Associate in Arts - Graphic and Interactive Design

at De Anza College USA

Designed primarily for students who plan on transferring to the University of California or California State University, the associate degree in Liberal Arts represents the completion of a broad area of study with an emphasis in one of the following four areas: Arts and Letters, Business and Computer Information Systems, Science, Math and Engineering and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The degree allows the student to develop a broad set of essential life/work competencies such as: communication, critical thinking, problem solving, quantitative reasoning and multicultural skills.

The A.A. degree prepare students for an entry-level position in the database field to work as a data analyst, business analyst, database project coordinator or database engineer.

De Anza's Computer Information Systems (CIS) department has been a leading educational institution in Silicon Valley since the college was founded. Over the years it has developed a rich and diverse series of courses in many areas. Our courses meet the needs of both the transfer student and the industry professional. Students who take courses and earn degrees in the CIS department often go on to transfer to four-year universities in majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science and many other majors that required CIS courses.

The Accounting Department at De Anza offers diverse programs designed to meet student needs at all levels.

We offer:

• Transfer courses fully articulated with four-year universities that meet the lower division requirement for the Business major.
• A curriculum designed for the vocational student looking for specific accounting and computer skills for employment
• Specific courses ranging from bookkeeping to advanced tax for those individuals who have targeted their needs for specific skills
• Solid preparation for the student who majors in Accounting
• An AA degree and Certificates of Completion, Achievement and Proficiency for those students completing required course sequences

The A.A. degree in Corrections/Probation provides the foundational education required for an individual's career entry into the criminal justice field, specifically correctional operations and probation/parole case investigations. The courses range from concepts of criminal law, evidence, investigation and reporting to criminology, aspects of social change, and corrections investigations.

The program has a proud history: It has been offered at the college since De Anza was established in 1967. Today, our classes cover the latest advancements in methodology and technology.

Our instructors have extensive professional experience as judges, police officers, correction and probation officers as well as attorneys. Our graduates are working for public and private agencies throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

The ways in which we communicate contribute significantly to the quality of our lives. Our Communication Studies Department faculty seek to create a stimulating and supportive learning environment and to meet the diverse and changing needs of our students, our department, and the college. We are here to help students gain greater knowledge and skill in Communication Studies as a means to developing their own potential. In our classrooms we celebrate our students diverse cultures, traditions, perspectives, voices, and goals. We are constantly updating our courses, exploring new ideas, and sharing information to foster our own professional growth and to provide the best possible opportunities to our students.

Our Goals:

• Value every student as an individual with his/her needs, goals and learning styles.
• Challenge our students with a spirit of inquiry, discovery, dialog and reflection.
• Create an environment where diverse cultures, abilities, and needs are respected and where differences offer productive opportunities for learning and personal fulfillment.
• Develop a dynamic curriculum that reflects both traditional and emerging schools of thought in our discipline.
• Provide every student with opportunities to simultaneously acquire knowledge and develop skill through practice.
• Help students become critical and independent thinkers and problem solvers by providing opportunities to work in self-regulated teams in order to develop small group collaboration skills, listening, deliberation, conflict management, argumentation, problem solving, and decision-making.
• Remain faithful to our task of promoting personal integrity.
• Provide opportunities for students to successfully use technology for research and developing presentations.
• Prepare students to use effective communication skills in their personal and professional lives.
• Raise consciousness of our global interdependence and responsibility.

The Intercultural Studies Department offers an interdisciplinary major leading to certificates, an A.A. degree, or transfer in Intercultural (Ethnic) Studies.  This major represents the joint commitment of the African America, Asian American and Asian, Chicanx/Latinx, Native American, and core Intercultural Studies areas, and provides a diverse curriculum whose educational objectives include the following:

• Develop a methodology emphasizing comparative analyses of the history, politics, social dynamics, and current  challenges and opportunities of historically marginalized communities of color;
• Develop the skills and capabilities to critically analyze information prevalent in the dominant  culture from the perspective of historically marginalized communities of color;
• Examine ethnicity theory, race relations theory, feminist theory, cross-cultural communications theory, peace/conflict/ reconciliation theory, healing and social transformation theory and practices, and explore the intersectional and multidimensional issues of racism, institutions, power as they relate to advocating for equity and social justice.

The major also examines the need for and role of multiracial alliances, economic class analysis, the role of healing in social change work, and provides expertise in areas that will allow students to develop the critical analysis, interpersonal capacities, and leadership and organizing skills to be responsive to the multidimensional needs of historically marginalized communities of color in the short term, and to also contribute to long-term systemic transformation for equity and social justice.

The De Anza College Paralegal Studies Program was among the first paralegal studies programs to be initially approved by the State of California in 1984. Since then the program has continually provided a quality educational course of study that incorporates basic legal instruction along with practical training that graduates will need to successfully enter the work force. Our graduates are employed in private law offices, public agencies and corporate law offices.

The Paralegal Studies A.A. degree programs prepare students to work in the legal field as paralegals under the supervision of attorneys. Paralegal duties include performing factual and legal research, drafting legal documents and correspondence, interviewing clients and witnesses, assisting attorneys in pretrial work, including document discovery and analysis, and at trials and hearings, organizing and maintaining case files and coordinating the use of technology in legal work.

This A.A. degree offers a foundation in lower division courses enabling students to pursue a B.A. or B.F.A. in sculpture or design at a four-year institution. The degree prepares students to transition successfully into a university environment. Their acquired knowledge may be transferred into areas such as teaching, studio art production, product design, museum work, architectural design and model making

De Anza's Art Department emphasizes the teaching of strong technical skills and nurtures each individual's originality in order to prepare students for global inclusiveness through creative engagement.

Our program is designed to train future vocational and avocational artists in the ability to communicate creative expression through craftmanship, concept and design lexicon. Our instructors are practicing professionals whose work reflects a dedication to the development of creative and conceptual styles, as well as abilities.

The Global Studies A.A. degree is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to be well-versed in world history, global issues and perspectives, geography, and cultural competence as well as proficient in a foreign language. Elective options direct students to a course of study focused on world history, international business, globalization issues, language and culture, and the arts and humanities in the global environment. Students can take electives within one area of study, or mix electives from the various areas. The program prepares students for careers as citizens of the world and to navigate and communicate in a global environment.

Our programs are designed to assist you in developing a sophisticated knowledge and critical understanding of the multiple definitions and elements of culture, including the psychology, history and sociology of language, politics, and power dynamics in human relationships at the individual, interpersonal, and institutional or systemic levels.

Our department mission is to inspire, excite and prepare our automotive technology students to achieve a valuable place in our local and global community.

We serve a diverse student population – including career-oriented students, lifelong learners and those who choose our program to enrich their own knowledge base.

Our focus is on integrity, personal achievement, service to our community and excellence in all we do.