Certificate Programs

As business and industry continuously change due to innovations in technology and management philosophies, the skills necessary to perform many every day job functions have changed just as rapidly.

These new job-demands, and the competitiveness of today’s job market makes it evident that all of us need to continually upgrade our skills through educational programs if we are to maintain employment and continue career growth.

Purdue Calumet has recognized this need and by working with industry leaders has designed a series of certificate programs which makes this process of RE-TOOLING for professional growth and development much easier for the adult leaner.

Certificate Programs:


Certificate in Computer Graphics Technology Design

A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of courses in the specialty area of Computer Graphics Design. This certificate program would provide participants the necessary knowledge and background to create dynamic designs for print and visual display. Students will explore the capabilities of raster, vector two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphics and animation. Students are prepared to take on challenges of graphic designers.

This certificate is ideally suited for individuals who would like to move into the field, are planning a career change, individuals who are in the computer graphics field and need to update their skills and for individuals needing certificate validation. The sequence of courses will provide a thorough background in the area of Computer Graphics Technology. All courses taught will count toward a degree in Computer Graphics Technology.

What you will learn after successful completion of this certificate:

  • The basic design elements and principles of composition and typography.
  • Vector image creation and manipulation.
  • Raster image creation and manipulation.
  • Desktop publishing.
  • Sketching for visualization and communication.
  • Color theory, surface rendering, and light control in relation to technical illustration, hardware characteristics, and software capabilities.
  • Have an understanding of 2-D and 3-D animation, through use of leading computer technologies.
  • New and emerging computer technologies to create rich interactive media.

Certificate Requirements: Completion of six courses:

  • CGT 111 Design for Visualization and Communication
  • CGT 112 Sketching for Visualization and Communication
  • CGT 211 Raster Imaging for Computer Graphics
  • CGT 216 Vector Imaging for Computer Graphics
  • CGT 241 Interactive Animation and Spatial Graphics
  • CGT 353 Principles of Interactive & Dynamic Media
    OR
  • CGT 308 Pre Press Production

Certificate in Computer Graphics Technology Web

A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of courses in the specialty area of Computer Graphics Web Design. This certificate program would provide participants the necessary knowledge and background to design websites using HTML and XML tagging scripting technology, leading industry standard software for web site design which includes graphic creation and manipulation, animation and multimedia applications.

Students are prepared to take on challenges as web designers and will be able to design web sites or participate on a website design team. This certificate is ideally suited for individuals who would like to move into the field, are planning a career change, individuals who are in the computer graphics field and need to update their skills and for individuals needing certificate validation. The sequence of courses will provide a thorough background in the area of Computer Graphics Web Technology. All courses taught will count toward a degree in Computer Graphics Technology.

What you will learn after successful completion of this certificate:

  • The basic design elements and principles of composition and typography.
  • Vector image creation and manipulation.
  • Raster image creation and manipulation.
  • Hypermedia distribution through use of tagging and introductory scripting languages for graphically designed and dynamic web sites.
  • Web design and layout, formatting, classification, and user enhancements via scripting.
  • Color theory, surface rendering, and light control in relation to technical illustration, hardware characteristics, and software capabilities.
  • Theoretical research in the area of Human Computer Interface (HCI) and on designing interfaces and interface components.
  • Understand topics such as systems of organization, visual hierarchy, animation, video, creativity, typography, color, and navigation as they relate to web graphics technology.
  • Have an understanding of 2-D animation and interactivity through use of leading computer technologies.
  • How to design and evaluate effective and usable interfaces for multimedia and hypermedia products.
  • New and emerging computer technologies to create rich interactive media.

Certificate Requirements: Completion of seven courses (Core courses plus one more CGT course):

  • CGT 111 Design for Visualization and Communication
  • CGT 141 Internet Foundations, Technologies and Development
  • CGT 211 Raster Imaging for Computer Graphics
  • CGT 353 Principles in Interactive & Dynamic Media
  • CGT 256 Human Computer Interface and Design Theory
  • CGT 307 Advanced Graphic Design for Web and Multimedia

Post Baccalaureate Animation and Video Game Certificate

The Post Baccalaureate Animation and Video Game Certificate offers a broad range of design and technology competencies focused on career paths in the specialty of animation and video game design. Students will acquire a combination of skills in drawing, perspective, 2D design and 3D animation. They will study lighting and scene setup, color theory, anatomy and gesture, as well as explore motion maps, characters, level design and prototyping.

Students also will develop skills in scriptwriting, storyboarding, character animation and web-based game content production. In this program, students will learn the importance of creating portfolios and reels that reflect their knowledge of the game and animation industry.

The objective of the program is to help the student attain an understanding of game content creation; communicate a game’s premise and design. Entry-level positions appropriate for graduates of Animation and Video Game Certificate include texture artist, character animator, modeler, and level designer. Students will be able to expand their employment opportunities in the animation and game industries by combining previous baccalaureate education with the animation and video game certificate.

COURSE OF STUDY: Animation and Video Game Post Baccalaureate Certificate (21 credits)

  • CGT 241 Introduction to Animation and Spatial Graphics
  • CGT 310 Drawing, Acting and Scripting for Animation
  • CGT 330 Multimedia, Animation and Video Game Design and Development
  • CGT 340 Digital Lighting and Rendering
  • CGT 341 Motion for Computer Animation
  • CGT 346 Digital Video and Audio
  • CGT 446 Post-Production & Special Effects for Computer Animation
  • One Elective – Certificate Elective Choices
    CGT 307 Advanced Graphic Design for Web and Multimedia
    CGT 351 Interactive Multimedia Design
    CGT 442 Production for Computer Animation

Students who have a bachelor degree in art and design can use their accredited course of study towards Group A. Students who come from other types of bachelor degrees and do not have group A equivalencies will be required to take group A courses or any combination thereof, along with the courses in the Animation and Video Game Certificate to ensure program success.

A Group:

  • CGT 112 Sketching for Visualization and Communication or equivalent accredited 3 credit course. Requires advisor approval. This course is a basic drawing and design course.
  • CGT 141 Internet Foundations, Technologies and Development or equivalent accredited 3 credit course. Requires advisor approval. This course is a basic XML, HTML website design course.
  • CGT 211 Raster Imaging for Computer Graphics or equivalent accredited 3 credit course. Requires advisor approval.  This course is a raster imaging course where industry standard software is used.
  • CGT 353 Principles of Interactive and Dynamic Media or equivalent accredited 3 credit course. Requires advisor approval.  This is a basic cell animation course using industry standard software. It covers the basic of animation design.