New classes on offer from Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Department of Communication, Fine Arts, and Graphics

Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Department of Communication, Fine Arts, and Graphics has recently added four new programs that will allow students to learn and train for jobs for several high growth areas in the arts using the latest state of the art curricula.

In an article from The Scoop, Patsy Fancher, who serves as the Communication, Graphic, and Fine Arts Department Chair, was quoted about the new offerings, saying, “We are very excited about the possibilities our new programs will have for students. We are unveiling a digital photography technical certificate, A.A.S. in graphic arts technology in game art and design concentration, commercial music technical certificate, and an A.A.S. in commercial music.”

Fancher noted that the digital photography technical certificate, which launched this spring, is designed to get students ready for employment in a range of fields connected with photography. This program takes place at the Macon Cove Campus and requires 21 semester hours to complete.

Students who are interested in learning about design, game art, or graphic arts technology, can earn an A.A.S. degree that will serve as a first step toward entry level positions in the media and gaming fields. Fancher noted that UX and UI Design, game design, VFX, and animation jobs require familiarity with a variety of multimedia programs, which this degree offers.

“This program is a non-transferable degree program designed to prepare students for the workforce in entry-level positions such as an illustrator, tester, script proofer, concept designer, environment artist/designer, UI/UX designer, animator and in VFX and game design industries,” she said. 

The program will also be held at the Macon Cove campus and will begin in the Fall 2023 semester.

Also on offer is an A.A.S or technical certificate in commercial music. The programs will give students with an interest in music the opportunity to gain experience in music related fields. 

“Students will have a choice to select from three emphasized areas: Instrumental, Production, or Vocal. The program includes core courses in music, theory, and related musicianship skills, music recording, music production, piano, instrumental and vocal performance, and ensembles which will enable students to learn in an active and collaborative setting," Fancher said.

Both the degree and certificate programs will launch in the coming Fall semester.

Fancher went on to note that each course in commercial music is able to be transferred to a four year degree, saying, “It is designed to prepare students for the workforce, but if they decide to further their education with a four-year degree, they can transfer all the courses to the university they choose.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the new Communications, Fine Arts, and Graphics program can contact Fancher by email at pfancher@southwest.tn.edu, or by phone at 901-333-4151.

More information about Southwest Tennessee Community College can be found at the school’s website.