Contact Information

General Contact

Admissions Office

Financial Aid Office

FINANCIAL AID RATE

66%

STUDENT TEACHER RATIO

26:1

FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.

$3,356

Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students

Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid

Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition

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Graphic Design Program

The graphic design program at Pasadena City College prepares students for careers as a package designer, creative director, strategic branding director, visual designer, and more. The program focuses on applying artistic and computer techniques to interpret technical and commercial concepts. Program courses include: computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concept sketching, technical drawing, color theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modeling, communication skills, and commercial art business operations. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer graphic design program.

Learn more by requesting information now!

Pasadena City College

1140 W. Mission, San Marcos, CA

Pasadena City College is a two-year community college located in Pasadena, California, adjacent to the city of Los Angeles. PCC offers a range of academic study programs for the associate's degree or as a transfer program to a four-year college to complete a bachelor's degree.  Academic study areas include everything from French, to Business or Urban Studies. Distance Learning, workforce training and continuing education are also available.

Among Pasadena City College's illustrious alumni are best-selling adventure novelist Clive Cussler, fashion designer Bob Mackie, actor Nick Nolte, singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, philanthropist Herbert Hoover III, baseball legend Jackie Robinson, and rock star Eddie Van Halen, among others.

History

Pasadena City College was founded in 1924 as Pasadena Junior College. By 1939, the Pasadena City College Bulldog band had become the official band of the Tournament of the Roses Parade - now the Rose Bowl Parade. During World War II, PCC's West Campus was used for specialized military training. In 1943, the U.S. Army assumed control of the site.

The Post-War Boom led to unprecedented growth in Pasadena. The G.I. Bill allowed many veterans to buy homes and continue their education in the area. PCC had to expand to accommodate their increased student body, so it re-opened its abandoned West Campus as John Muir College.

In the 1950s, the school expanded further and also changed its mascot from a bulldog to a lancer (a Medieval Knight on foot or on horseback, holding a lance). In the 1960s and 1970s, PCC experienced the turbulence of the era, and many student protests were held on campus.

The 1980s brought a demand for social and ethnic studies, and PCC expanded its curriculum to include these programs. In the 1990s, diversity among students and faculty increased and the curriculum expanded again to incorporate emerging technologies and multimedia.  The campus facilities were extended during this period as well, bringing PCC up to date for the new millennium.

Academics 

The academic calendar of Pasadena City College follows the semester format, with fall and spring semesters, and shorter winter and summer "intersessions."

Colleges and Schools

As a two-year college, PCC divides its academic units into instructional divisions, rather than into colleges and schools.  The instructional divisions of PCC include:

  • Business and Computer Technology
  • Engineering and Technology
  • English
  • Health Sciences
  • Kinesiology, Health & Athletics
  • Languages
  • Library
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Performing and Communication Arts
    • Dance, Music, Speech, Theater Arts, TV and Radio
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual Arts and Media Studies
  • Community Education Center

Student Life

Students at PCC have a history of being very involved in campus activities, and that is greatly encouraged.  There are many involvement and leadership opportunities at PCC, including student government, a cross cultural center and planning board, cultural awareness and leadership retreats, countless clubs and organizations representing a range of interests, and many more events and activities to participate in.  The PCC Student Affairs Office hosts a range of student services and events.

Traditions

The school mascot is a Lancer - a medieval knight who carries a lance.

Athletics

PCC "Lancer" athletic teams offer cheerleading and compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Track 

Women's Sports:

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

Community Life

PCC offers many programs that connect the school to the Pasadena community through support and services. There are programs that offer high school students off-campus credit courses, a community business center on the PCC campus that offers child ID services and, passport applications and fingerprinting, and a community education center that offers non-credit, no-fee classes, including English as a Second Language, Parent Education, and more. Extended learning programs offer enrichment classes to community members.

Pasadena, the home of the Rose Bowl Tournament and Parade, is a diverse city with a small-town feel. The temperate climate and proximity to the city of Los Angeles and all its cultural and entertainment venues, as well as the wonderful California beaches and mountains, make the area popular with students and visitors alike.

Students Enrolled in the Graphic Design Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Pasadena City College has offered the following academic levels for students:

  • Less Than Two-Year Award
  • Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

 Graduates
Less Than Two-Year Award8
Associate's Degree1

Students by Gender (2019)

 Graduates
Male7
Female2

Students by Race (2019)

 Graduates
Asian2
Hispanic4
White1
Unknown2

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Upon completion of the Graphic Design program at Pasadena City College, most students have pursued careers in the following fields:

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Art Directors

Description

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting, and advertising. Direct workers engaged in art work or layout design.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, art directors employment is expected to grow at a rate of 2.4% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
    • Total Employment: 300
    • Average Hourly Rate: $50.43
    • Average Annual Salary: $104890

Multimedia Artists and Animators

Description

Create special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products or creations, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, multimedia artists and animators employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.0% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

  • San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
    • Total Employment: 650
    • Average Hourly Rate: $32.96
    • Average Annual Salary: $68570

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

Description

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Admission Requirements & Details

The admissions information below may provide a better idea of the applicants Pasadena City College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college credits that may be transferred.

College Credits Accepted

  • Dual Credits
  • AP Course Credits
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Academics & Student Services

Student Services

To help students and recent graduates, Pasadena City College may offer student services like those listed below:

  • Online classes
  • Classes offered on nights and weekends
  • Remedial courses
  • Counseling assistance
  • Employing students to lower education costs
  • Helping students find work after graduation
  • Day care

Intercollegiate Athletics

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Track and Field, Outdoor
  • Track and Field, X-Country
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo
  • Badminton