
Dual Enrollment and Gap Year Students
Earn College Credit
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors can take college-level art and design courses before graduating from high school. Students earn college credits that can be applied to CCS or transfer to any college of their choice. Classes are available in person and online.
Save Money
Students can take a $4,995 course for only $900. Many students are also eligible to receive additional funds via the State of Michigan School Aid Act. (Funding varies by school district but typically ranges between $500 – $725 per course.)
Build Your Portfolio
A strong art and design portfolio is the key to admissions. Students participating in dual enrollment create college-level work which can translate into better scholarship offers.
For more information about Dual Enrollment contact the Office of Precollege and Continuing Studies at 313.664.7456.
Fall 2023
Courses Available Online
2D Design Principles
This course is an introduction to the principles, vocabulary and mechanics of two-dimensional design, including the exploration and application of color theory. Students explore design concepts through lectures, readings, discussions, hands-on studio assignments and critiques.
Students will have access to Adobe Creative Suite through CCS for the duration of this course.
Online: Without designated class times
Digital Techniques
This introductory course in computer skills is a requirement to complete the Foundation curriculum. Students explore the computer as a tool in support of artist/designer’s practice, including software required for the college information system and creative digital imagery in both pixel and vector-based software. Students work with popular software packages, appropriate for design, to gain an understanding of the tools used to create and manipulate digital imagery and to develop a broad understanding of how and why the computer is so prominent in image making today.
Review the virtual desktop directions
Online with designated meeting times on M, T, W, or TH 4-6:45pm est
Drawing 1: Rapid Concepts
In this introductory drawing course, students define the basic methods and principles of applied volumetric drawing with perspective and form, and rapid concept development through the visual description of imagined and observed objects using line variance, value, and composition.
Online with designated meeting times W 4-6:45pm est with additional asynchronous work
Figurative Illustration 1
An illustrator tells stories and the figure is the core of many stories. This means figure drawing is a key skill for any illustrator to master. This class is the first step towards that goal. Our primary subject will be the live nude figure model. The student will be pushed to develop a linear process for creating a figurative drawing from beginning to end using a variety of drawing materials. This process will be supplemented by extensive study of art history, light and shadow, proportion, and basic anatomy and drapery. This is a required course for all Illustration students.
Online with designated meeting times MW 5-7:45pm est or TTH 4-6:45pm est
*This course is partially funded by the GM “Design for an Equitable Future Grant”
Intro to Product Design
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of the four phases of the design process. Students are exposed to problem solving based on user needs, along with material considerations and manufacturing processes. Students should demonstrate a basic understanding of problem-solving methodology and its application to user needs. This is a required course for all Product Design students.
Online with designated meeting times T and TH 5-7:45pm est
*This course is partially funded by the GM “Design for an Equitable Future Grant”
Transportation Design Studio 1
This course introduces students to the basic principles of transportation design drawing. These principles are to understand the basic structure of 3 dimensional solids on a 2 dimensional surface. This will be accomplished by practicing fundamental drafting methods, practical ideation techniques, and basic mock-up construction. This is a required course for all Transportation Design students.
Online with designated meeting times MW 5-7:45pm est
*This course is partially funded by the GM “Design for an Equitable Future Grant”
Western Art History
This course is a survey of Western Art and visual culture from the late Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Other than to present an outline history of Western art, this course seeks to introduce students cumulatively to the critical concepts and vocabulary in the study of art history, visual culture, art appreciation and historiography of art, that is, the study of the writing about art and its history. The course will seek to introduce students to historically relevant accounts of the philosophical, religious, poetic and technological contexts of art as well as to introduce new forms of historical thinking on the relevance of the recognition of social, political and economic, (race, class and gender) in the understanding of both the making of art and its audience.
Online: Without designated class times
Fall 2023
Courses Available In-Person In Detroit
2D Design Principles
This course is an introduction to the principles, vocabulary and mechanics of two dimensional design, including the exploration and application of color theory. Students explore design concepts through lectures, readings, discussions, hands-on studio assignments and critiques.
Students will have access to Adobe Creative Suite through CCS for the duration of this course.
In Person; MW 4-6:45 p.m.; TTH 4-6:45 p.m. or two sessions on Sat 8:30-11:15 a.m. and 12:45-3:30 p.m.
3D Concepts: Form & Space
This course is an introduction to the principles, vocabulary and mechanics of three-dimensional design, including the exploration and application of color theory. Students explore design concepts through lectures, readings, discussions, hands-on studio assignments and critiques.
In person; MW 4-6:45 p.m. or TTH 4-6:45 p.m.
Advertising Design and Typography
Projects explore typographic and composition styles that create effective advertising for a variety of media and channels. Students develop design skills relative to specific advertising and communication goals. Students learn the layout process from thumbnails and refined layouts to comprehensives produced on the computer. Students are introduced to digital software, file management and output, prepress and on-press production. Students design and assemble a portfolio that is used for reviews and as a foundation for their professional career. This is a required course for all Advertising Design students.
In person; MW 4-6:45 p.m.
Color and Light Studies
Color and light studies will introduce students to the theory and practice of color through observation, experimentation, readings, screenings, discussion, and creative projects. They will develop a working color vocabulary considering sensory experience, the psychology of color, personal preference, and historical and symbolic meanings of color. Students will also gain a fundamental and practical understanding of mixing color through traditional and non-traditional materials. This class is experiential and open-ended, an attempt to understand color and light as evolving scientific, philosophical, and cultural phenomena.
In-person; TTH 4-6:45 p.m.
Drawing 1: Rapid Concepts
In this introductory drawing course, students define the basic methods and principles of applied volumetric drawing with perspective and form, and rapid concept development through the visual description of imagined and observed objects using line variance, value, and composition.
In Person MW 4-6:45pm or TTH 4-6:45pm
Drawing II: Style & Skill
Students will expand their understanding of the fundamentals of drawing and sketching, and develop their own personal sense of style and enhanced skill. A variety of drawing techniques are explored with a focus on creative composition, design and visual narrative. Additionally, the human figure will be explored as a basis of understanding gesture, proportion, geometric forms in space and the definition of complex surfaces.
Prerequisite: Drawing 1: Rapid Concepts
In-person; MW 4-6:45 p.m
Entertainment Arts: Creative Visualization
The emphasis of this course is on imaginative pre-production for an evolving world of moving images. Acknowledging the rapid changes in the way work is produced and distributed, students will be introduced to diverse historical, theoretical, and practical methods of visual communication as they develop their storytelling skills through creative writing and pre-visualization exercises for animation, game, live action, and new media with an emphasis on inclusion in story and unique experiences. This is a required course for all first year Entertainment Arts students.
In person; MW 4-6:45 p.m
Intro to 3D Computer Graphics
This class introduces students to the basic concepts and possibilities of computer animation available through Maya. Students develop a basic understanding of Maya as a program, along with such general animation concepts as modeling, texturing, rendering, fundamental motion and ‘point of view’ (camera positioning). The goal of this course is to build familiarity with the tools, terminology and ideas involved in modeling and moving in the virtual 3D world.
In person; MW 4-6:45 p.m or TTH 4-6:45 p.m.
Process and Making
This course will familiarize students with the basic construction and fabrication techniques of design model construction. Through the completion of a hand-held power tool model, students will be introduced to the majority of tools, machines and best practices needed to achieve successful models and projects within the Model Shop. Special emphasis is placed on a high level of craftsmanship required in models for industry. This course will familiarize students with surfacing techniques appropriate to model making and painting processes. Students learn a wide variety of methods and techniques needed to safely complete future projects. Safety is the MOST essential function of this course.
In person; MW 4-6:45 p.m.; or 2 sessions on Sat 8:30 – 11:15 a.m. and 12:45-3:30 p.m.
Fashion Design: Essential Skills
Learn the essential skills that every fashion designer needs to know. Learn the terminology, drafting, machine sewing and get to know the proportions of the human body while making garments for yourself or your friends. Successful completion of this course will have students prepared to study fashion design at the college level.
In-person; MW 4-6:45 p.m
*This course is partially funded by the GM “Design for an Equitable Future Grant”
Fall 2023
Courses Available In-Person at Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, MI
Drawing 1: Rapid Concepts
In this introductory drawing course, students define the basic methods and principles of applied volumetric drawing with perspective and form, and rapid concept development through the visual description of imagined and observed objects using line variance, value, and composition.
In Person at Stevenson High School, Sterling Heights, MI*
TTH 4-6:45pm
*Limited to students currently enrolled in Utica Community Schools
Application & Registration Information
Option 1
Students who wish to receive financial support from their Michigan school district must submit the following items:
- Completed Dual Enrollment application form and checklist (see “Dual Enrollment Form”)
- Letter from your high school guidance counselor or principal stating that you are approved to participate and the dollar amount that the district will pay toward the $900 cost of tuition
Option 2
If you would like to take a dual enrollment course without the financial support of your school district, you can register directly.
*Summer semester courses are not eligible for Dual Enrollment tuition assistance but are available at the CCS Summer tuition rate.
Application Due Dates*
Fall Semester – 2023
Registration opens on March 15, 2023. Seats are filled on a first come first serve basis. We recommend applying for dual enrollment by May 15th. However, some seats may still be available until August 20, 2023.
*Summer semester courses are not eligible for Dual Enrollment tuition assistance but are available at the CCS Summer tuition rate.
Winter Semester – 2024
Registration opens on October 1, 2023. Seats are filled on a first come first serve basis. We recommend applying for dual enrollment by November 15th. However, seats may still be available until December 16, 2023.
*Summer semester courses are not eligible for Dual Enrollment tuition assistance but are available at the CCS Summer tuition rate.