MHCC Integrated Media Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have time for a job?

Yes. We’ve designed the IM program to be as efficient as possible. With a few exceptions, all first year IM core and option courses are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the second year, all IM core and option classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays. Each day is long, however, because we’re packing three 3-hour classes in to one day, back-to-back. Most students have part-time jobs averaging 20 hours a week. A typical day looks like this: morning class: 9 - 11:50 am, afternoon class: 1:10 - 4 pm, late afternoon class: 4:10 to 6 or 7 pm.

How much homework is involved?

It differs every week, depending on the class and the stage of the projects you’re working on at the time. Because each class is structured to be 2-3 hours of lecture and up to 3 hours of lab each week, this means that you’ll learn new content through the lecture and the other hours are devoted to practicing what you just learned. There will be complex projects where you’ll need to research, explore and experiment outside of class. Also, some students are just more efficient and fluent with the software. You will need access to a computer with an Internet connection at least 3 - 5 days a week to stay up to speed.

Are there any Integrated Media classes in the Summer?

We may offer some 12-hour intensive workshops (IM282 courses) for Summer 2010. Contact Jack, JD or Chris for more information. Summer is a great time to work on your General Education requirements such as Writing, Math, Health and Physical Education, Human Relations, etc.

What classes can I take in Winter or Spring term, while I'm waiting for the program to start next Fall?

For students hoping to start the program for Fall 2010, the General Education requirements are: Writing 121 (4 credits), Human Relations (3 credits), Distribution Electives (3 credits), Math 65 (4 credits) and Health, Physical Education (3 credits). Contact an IM adviser to get specific advice about which courses to take. Please note that there are NO course prerequisites/requirements for admission or acceptance into the program. You'll have to make a formal application to this Restricted Entry program and be accepted before you can begin taking the IM classes starting Fall 2010.

Can I take evening or weekend classes?

Not really.. Most of our Integrated Media core and option classes follow this schedule: 9 - 11:50 a.m., 1:10 to 4 p.m. and 4:10 - 6 or 7 p.m. (students take ALL THREE, each term). They are sequential and taught in sets of three each term. If you were to take just the one class a term, you wouldn’t be able to progress to the next terms’ classes because you wouldn’t have the prerequisite skills and knowledge to be successful at the next level. Also, the each term's content "pours over" into all three concurrent classes. Since many of our projects are structured in collaborative teams, it's important that each cohort stays intact throughout the two year program.

Many General Education classes are available during non-traditional evening and weekend hours or are offered through Distance Learning (Web-based).

I only have time to take one course at a time. Can I do that?

Not really. Read the answer to the previous questions. However, if you are interested in a very specific class, talk to an IM adviser. Occasionally, there may be an open seat for someone who has sufficient prior skills to be successful in a class.

What about online classes?

Because Integrated Media is both visual and auditory, most of our courses aren't appropriate to the virtual classroom approach. Students learn a lot from their fellow students. Great creative work is usually the result of close collaboration with both instructors and peers. Many of our courses are already hybrid or enhanced through the use of WordPress blogs, WebCT/BlackBoard, or MHCC's course management system, the MyMHCC Portal. This allows students to complete some requirements in each class when off-site.

What should I know before beginning the program?

You need to have good keyboarding skills, be very familiar with and comfortable on the computer (we’ll teach you the Mac software) or at least fearless in learning the computer applications. This program may go too fast for novice computer users and is not an appropriate choice for those without computer experience. You should already know how to use a computer and some basic applications such as the MS Office Suite and have experience with web browsers and the Internet before entering the program in the Fall. You should be able to use a mouse with coordination, navigate the internet, and comfortably sit for up to eight hours a day. We will assume that you sincerely love working with/on a computer as that is the primary tool that you’ll use in Integrated Media.

Will I need to buy a computer?

During class, you’ll work on a new Macintosh computer in one of our Integrated Media labs. You’ll be able to use computers in the Main Computer Lab (AC1451-53). Many students buy a computer while they're in the program. If you already have a computer at home, buy the same software we use at school so you’ll be able to work on your projects outside of class. PC/Windows users can purchase the PC version of the software we use. You’ll need to take a few extra steps and precautions when transporting files to and from school so that the files can be read successfully on both platforms.

There are significant student discounts available on both software and hardware, so please ask an IM adviser. Our MHCC bookstore offers great discounts for the Adobe Creative Suite applications. See Discounts for more specific information.

What other equipment will I need?

All students will need headphones and a USB flash drive (1 GB or more) or some other storage device. Supply lists are available for each option area after you’re accepted to the program.

Beginning fall term 2009, students accepted into the Digital Photography program will need to have a high quality adjustable digital camera (example: Canon Rebel Xti or better).

Braodcasting and Video students will need high quality sound-dampening headphones.

The IM Department has an equipment checkout facility (The Cage) with digital cameras, lighting, sound recording equipment and even Wacom tablets. Most items can be checked out for three days at a time to IM majors. Second year students are given access to higher level equipment.

Can I transfer to another school after earning the Integrated Media AAS Degree?

YES! In the spring 2009, MHCC signed a Direct Transfer Agreement with PNCA's Communication Design BFA program (Pacific Northwest College of Art). Talk to Chris, Jack or JD as early as possible to get more information about other transferring options. By identifying a four year school right away, you will have time to customize your course selections to maximize the number of courses that will transfer elsewhere. As a general rule, keep individual portfolios or collections of the work produced in each Integrated Media course, along with the course syllabus, official course description and any project briefs so that you can document that you’ve accomplished the same outcomes as courses in other schools.

Much more information is available on the Transferring Web page.

Must I be able to draw to be in the Graphic Design option?

Yes and no. Many great graphic designers draw very proficiently. However, just as important is the ability to be organized, creative and detail-oriented. There are so many directions to take your career in Graphic Design that someone with moderate drawing ability can still be very successful. You DO need to be able to communicate your ideas to others by writing, making quick "thumbnail" sketches and/or doing rough drawings. If an illustration is required, graphic designers usually commission a professional illustrator to do the job. With computer software applications, designers often build an illustration or graphic in a very different way than with traditional art media. Digital photography and image manipulation are other ways to create art without being able to draw. You’ll learn both at MHCC.

Questions? Call us!: 503.491.7410