Adult Courses
Register for CE classes
To register and search current class offerings, you will need to read and review our Payment Security statement and our Policies. Credit card payment is required when registering for Continuing Education or non-degree classes via the web. You will not be charged until you register for a class.
CCS offers a variety of certificate and non-credit courses open to students ages 16+. You must register in advance of the start date, and payment in full is required at the time of registration. Prior experience is not required, and no application is necessary to enroll. REGISTER online using the Course Code, Course Number and Section Letter, i.e. ABCD 000 X listed under each course description.
CE Department Policies, including information about Refunds can be found here .
Download the Winter 2012 Catalog. (589 KB, PDF)
Non-credit Courses
Whether you've taken classes here before, or are a first time novice, CCS has non-credit courses that will fit your interests and experience level. Course formats include: 10 week courses, short courses, and workshops.
Credit Courses
By enrolling in a certificate program, adult students can earn valuable job skills. Adults can also choose to enroll in credit bearing undergraduate program courses, which can be audited or taken for credit. Course listings and fees are published online in the CCS Course Schedule available here (950 KB, PDF).
CCS also offers courses for Youth and Precollege students.
Course Offerings
Click headers for complete course offerings and details.
Handbuilding
3.0 SB-CEUs
(at Pewabic Pottery)
Using traditional hand building techniques this class focuses on basic clay building techniques and glazing techniques though demonstration and individualized instruction. Surface treatments will also be covered: glazing; under-painting, and slip work.
All classes held at Pewabic Studio. Register with Pewabic www.pewabicstore.org or call 313.626.2062
1.2 SB-CEUs available
Pewabic Pottery: 10125 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48214
Wheelthrowing
Beginners will learn the basics of wheel-throwing and glazing techniques. Intermediate and advanced students will refine their personal voices by developing advanced wheel and decorative techniques. Wheel-throwing classes accommodate beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Open studio time and 25lbs of clay is included in class fee. Additional clay is available for purchase.
All classes held at Pewabic Studio. Register with Pewabic www.pewabicstore.org or call 313.626.2062
Fundamentals of Design
This course provides a working knowledge of the elements of design to provide a greater understanding of visual communication. The classic elements (space, line, shape, value, texture and color) and principles of graphic design (balance, repetition, variety, rhythm, unity and contrast) will be explored.
AGRC 190 A
at Taubman Center
$339
Introduction to Digital Design
This course provides a fundamental understanding of computers as powerful art and design tools. Hands-on exercises using Mac OSX make students confident and effective computer users. File organization, disk management, system understanding and the basics of using illustration, layout and imaging software are included. This course, or comparable knowledge, is a prerequisite to all other computer-based CE classes.
AGRC 267 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 267 AC)
Design for Print and Web
What makes good design? Through a series of in-class assignments and critiques students will develop the ability to make communication decisions that consider audience, content, sequence, and creative methodologies used in creating unique visual communication solutions. Assignments will focus on print and web design.
AGRC 200 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 200 AC)
Adobe® Photoshop® Basics
This course explores the use of Adobe® Photoshop® software to produce digital images. Students develop the skills necessary for image scanning, photo retouching, image enhancing and manipulation and color correction. Participants must have a working knowledge of Macintosh computers.
AGRC 265 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 265 AC)
Layout and Design: Adobe® InDesign®
Learn the basics of this page layout software and use its tools to inspire your creativity and simplify elaborate design tasks. This course introduces the interface and palettes of InDesign by showing students how to set up a new document, use the line and frame tools, add text and graphics, and import images from Photoshop® or Illustrator®. Formatting, editing, applying color, creating tables and preparing the document for output also are covered. Participants must have a working knowledge of Macintosh computers.
AGRC 296 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 296 AC)
Adobe® Illustrator® Basics
Discover how to use this sophisticated drawing program, which is the industry standard for creating logos, maps, technical drawings, illustrations and charts. Explore document setup, tools, palettes, object and type manipulation, and drawing techniques. Participants must have a working knowledge of Macintosh computers.
AGRC 295 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 295 AC)
Digital Prepress Production
Save time, money and prevent mistakes. Learn practical skills for preparing your design files for digital print. Service bureaus expect you to know how to preflight files, spec paper, bindings and finishing process. Students learn to project plan. Participants must have a working knowledge of Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe® Illustrator® and Adobe® InDesign® software.
AGRC 297 A
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 297 AC)
Weaving
Here’s your chance to create a garment, blanket or other fiber art while learning the workings of a loom. You will learn how to set up and weave on a floor loom. Advanced students can improve their techniques. Dye facilities also are available. Enrollment is limited to seven students.
AVIS 139 A
at Ford Campus
$345 plus $35 material fee
Digital Video Pre-Production
Students will look at the various ways the videographer prepares and plans for a production. Through in-class assignments, students learn concept storyboarding basics, digital video camera operation, lighting, audio, shooting to edit and desktop editing techniques using Final Cut®. This course provides an introduction to Pre-Production skills of movie making and how to prepare for the next step of shooting film. It is a prerequisite for the Digital Video: Post-production course.
AGRC 308 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 308 AC)
Digital Sound Editing
Immerse yourself in the sounds that bring pictures to life. Use Pro Tools® to edit sound effects and dialogue, add and eliminate background sounds, and create your own sounds to enhance a viewer’s overall experience.
AGRC 310 A
at Taubman Campus
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 310 AC)
Adobe® After Effects®: Video and Motion Graphics
Amateur filmmakers: take your passion to the next level. Adobe® After Effects® powerful tools allow users to combine multiple video, still graphic, text and computer-generated assets to create visually stunning media and entertainment. Combine green screen footage with effects and alter video to create whole new worlds. Explore working with timelines, key frames, transformations, track mattes, alpha channels and the technical issues related to integrating computer-generated imagery with video.Working knowledge of Adobe® Photoshop® and an understanding of time-based media required.
AGRC 305 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 305 AC)
Business Practices for Film and Video
Learn what should and should not be included in your promo reel. Discover the roles and responsibilities of working on a film set, set etiquette, and how to work with and on a crew. Learn how to pitch an idea, best practices for putting bids out for winning production work, how to budget production costs and what a work proposal or RFP submission should contain.
AGRC 315 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 315 AC)
Glassblowing
Learn the magic of shaping hot glass. This course, open to both beginning and advanced students, teaches the glassblowing techniques required to create vessels and sculptural forms. Advanced students refine their skills and learn more advanced techniques. Please wear a long-sleeve shirt and bring sunglasses to the first class. Enrollment is limited to eight students per section.
AVIS 285 A
at Ford Campus
$395 plus $65 material fee
AVIS 285 B
at Ford Campus
$395 plus $65 material fee
AVIS 285 C
at Ford Campus
$395 plus $65 material fee
AVIS 285 D
at Ford Campus
$395 plus $65 material fee
Introduction to Maya®
Learn animation basics using Autodesk® Maya®, the industry standard for animators. Maya® is used in creating the magic for most films, commercials and games you play. You will learn modeling, animation, and rendering techniques through instruction and hands-on exercises. Learn how to command simple procedures to develop more complex and creative projects. Working knowledge of Adobe® Photoshop® and Adobe® After Effects® is required.
AGRC 226 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 226 AC)
Casting in the Foundry
Learn the materials and processes and techniques used to produce finished cast-metal sculpture safely. Students create waxes through plaster mold making and direct wax fabrication. Spring, ceramic shell investment, pouring, metal finishing and patina techniques are taught. Both beginning and more advanced students cast their own work. The cost for metals and investments used are in addition to the listed material fee.
AVIS 150 A
at Ford Campus
$365 plus $60 material fee
Welded Metal Sculpture
Both beginning and more experienced students explore the basic metal shop techniques of welding, brazing, cutting and forming, and use them to build metal sculptures. Projects are tailored to each student’s skill level, and student-initiated projects are encouraged. Students will receive a materials list during the first class.
AVIS 056 A
at Ford Campus
$345 plus $35 material fee
Digital Photography Basics
This course covers the primary mechanical and conceptual differences between digital and traditional 35mm cameras. Students learn and apply traditional photography principles to a digital medium. Basics include creating a visual vocabulary, manual camera controls and learning output options. Bring your camera and its manual to the first class. This course is a prerequisite for the Digital Photography Certificate program.
AVIS 300 A
at Ford Campus
$329 Noncredit
Digital Darkroom
This course addresses the historical, cultural, commercial and artistic significance of photography as a medium. Students learn about digital photographic technologies and combine them with traditional images. Through lectures, demonstrations, shooting assignments and critiques, this course addresses both the complexity of, and opportunities in, the expanding field of photography.
AVIS 299 A
at Ford Campus
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AVIS 299 AC)
Portrait Lighting Studio I
This course will help you take more artistic and professional photographs of people. Explore how to use your camera’s flash and reflective materials to light your subject in the most effective way. Also discover how to use natural light in creative ways to really capture the essence of your subject. Bring your camera, flash and tripod to first class.
AVIS 397 A
at Ford Campus
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AVIS 397 AC)
Image Management: Lightroom® and Camera Raw®
Students in this class should have at least 500 images to work with. Learn the benefits of the RAW file format. Create a system to categorize, keyword, and organize your image files using Lightroom®. Whether your images are for your own use, for sale to clients, the product of a hired job or just a collection of inspirations, learn how to keep your files easily accessible and in manageable, necessary formats.
AVIS 327 A
at Ford Campus
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AVIS 327 AC)
Autodesk® Alias® — Prerequisite
Learn the creative design process with industry leading sketching, modeling and visualization tools that help you quickly realize ideas in a single environment. Students capture ideas digitally, from initial sketches through 3D concept models. Participants must have a working knowledge of computers. Prior 3D experience is helpful.
AVIS 362 A
at Taubman Center
$559 Noncredit
See also Design for Print and Web under Digital Arts
Beginning Web Design
This course is for students with limited knowledge of Web design. It provides an introduction to the process and design theories. Through practical hands-on instruction, you learn how to design and build your own Web site and place it on the Internet using Macromedia® Dreamweaver® software and basic HTML fundamentals. Participants must have a working knowledge of Macintosh computers and basic Photoshop® skills.
AGRC 350 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 350 AC)
Flash® Animation
Flash® is the standard for creating rich Internet applications and cutting-edge motion graphics for the Web. Students become familiar with the Flash® interface and explore animation techniques including motion and shape tweening, using masks and adding media, such as sound and video. Participants must have a working knowledge of Mac computers and Photoshop®.
AGRC 362 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 362 AC)
Advanced Web Design
This course is for students with a basic understanding of HTML who wish to create more dynamic Web sites by using authoring tools such as Dreamweaver®, Fireworks® and Flash®. Cascading style sheets, working with Web graphics and color, and theories of interface design are covered. Participants must have a working knowledge of Mac computers, Photoshop®, Dreamweaver® and Web design skills. Students must have an existing Web site to take this course.
AGRC 351 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 351 AC)
Web Site Interactivity
Learn how to develop interactive applications for the Web through software and programming. Topics include programming elements of JavaScript and the relationship to browsers and HTML, visual effects, animations, forms and dialogs. Participants must have a working knowledge of Macintosh® computers and basic Photoshop® and Advanced Web design skills. Students must have an existing Web site to take this course.
AGRC 352 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 352 AC)
ActionScript®
Take your understanding of Flash® to the next level and learn to create more advanced interactive elements in Flash®. Gain an understanding of variables, functions, intervals, objects and arrays. In class exercises and projects may include simple games, modifications to objects and animation all through the use of ActionScript®. Prerequisite required: Flash® Animation (AGRC 362.)
AGRC 367 A
at Taubman Center
$459 Noncredit
$559 Certificate (use course code AGRC 367 AC)
