Program Description
Designed for students whose career goals are oriented toward design for mass media. Students will gain proficiency in industry-standard software and develop skills in design thinking, typography, layout, and effective visual communication. Students planning to earn a B.A. or B.F.A. in Graphic Design should consult an advisor to ensure this is the most appropriate degree for meeting their transfer goals.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard graphic design software and other relevant digital design tools.
- Apply design fundamentals to create effective visual communication.
- Demonstrate skills in designing for print and digital media.
- Apply the principles of typography to effectively convey messages through text.
- Create a functional website using basic concepts and skills in web design.
- Create solutions through the design thinking process to address design challenges and meet client and audience needs.
- Communicate design concepts effectively to improve the quality of design works.
- Demonstrate growth and competence in graphic design by developing a well-rounded portfolio.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with industry standards.
- Prepare for entry-level positions in the graphic design industry or further education in the field.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
-
Students must complete a minimum of nine credits at the 200-level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3 | |
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| ARTT 101 | Foundations of Studio Art I | 3 |
| COMM 111 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Required Elective | ||
| ARTT 106 | Drawing I | 3 |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| (waived for this program) | ||
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| ARTT 204 | Illustration I | 3 |
| FILM 144 | Digital Video Production | 4 |
| GRPH 111 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| GRPH 112 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| GRPH 114 | Web Design Foundations | 3 |
| GRPH 113 | Typography | 3 |
| GRPH 212 | Graphic Design III (Spring) | 3 |
| GRPH 213 | Introduction to UX/UI Design (Spring) | 3 |
| GRPH 215 | Professional and Transfer Portfolio | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Select thirteen credits of electives in consultation with an advisor - Recommended courses below: 1,2,3 | 13 | |
| Foundations of Studio Art II (Fall) | ||
| The History of Art: Non-Western | ||
| The History of Art: Prehistoric to Early Renaissance | ||
| The History of Art: Renaissance to Modern | ||
| Introduction to Color Theory and Design | ||
| Marketing 4 | ||
| Information Systems and Technology 5 | ||
| Interactive 3D Technology 5 | ||
| 3D Modeling and Animation 5 | ||
| Journalism Publication Practicum | ||
| Digital Photography I | ||
| Advanced Postproduction & Motion Graphics | ||
| Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Cultural Competence requirement may be satisfied by selecting a Social & Behavioral Sciences Gen Ed that is also designated as a Cultural Competence course or by selecting one of the Electives options that are designated as a Cultural Competence course.
- 2
Students should check with an advisor before selecting their electives.
- 3
Students planning to transfer to a four-year college should consider taking one Humanities Elective (3), one Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (3), and one Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (lab course) (4).
- 4
BMGT 225 has a prerequisite or co-requisite of BMGT 103.
- 5
Students interested in CMIS 178 should take CMIS 101 and CMIS 177 (CMIS 101 is a prerequisite for CMIS 177 and CMIS 177 is a prerequisite for CMIS 178).
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| GRPH 111 | Graphic Design I (Milestone) | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3-4 | |
| COMM 111 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| ARTT 101 | Foundations of Studio Art I | 3 |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) 2 | 3 | |
| GRPH 112 | Graphic Design II (Milestone) | 3 |
| Elective - select from the list below 4 | 3 | |
| Digital Photography I (recommended) | ||
| ARTT 106 | Drawing I | 3 |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| GRPH 113 | Typography (Milestone) | 3 |
| GRPH 114 | Web Design Foundations | 3 |
| FILM 144 | Digital Video Production | 4 |
| Elective - select from the list below 4 | 3 | |
| ARTT 204 | Illustration I | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| GRPH 212 | Graphic Design III (Spring) | 3 |
| GRPH 213 | Introduction to UX/UI Design (Spring) | 3 |
| GRPH 215 | Professional and Transfer Portfolio | 1 |
| Elective - select from the list below 4 | 3 | |
| Elective - select from the list below 4 | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |
Select 13 credits from the following Electives courses in consultation with an advisor:
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTT 102 | Foundations of Studio Art II (Fall) | 3 |
| ARTT 103 | The History of Art: Non-Western | 3 |
| ARTT 104 | The History of Art: Prehistoric to Early Renaissance | 3 |
| ARTT 105 | The History of Art: Renaissance to Modern | 3 |
| ARTT 108 | Introduction to Color Theory and Design | 3 |
| BMGT 225 | Marketing 5 | 3 |
| CMIS 101 | Information Systems and Technology 6 | 3 |
| CMIS 177 | Interactive 3D Technology 6 | 3 |
| CMIS 178 | 3D Modeling and Animation 6 | 3 |
| ENGL 241 | Journalism Publication Practicum | 3 |
| FILM 134 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| FILM 255 | Advanced Postproduction & Motion Graphics | 4 |
| INTR 103 | Internship | 3 |
| Students planning to transfer to a four-year college should consider taking one Humanities Elective (3), one Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (3), and one Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (lab course) (4). | ||
- 1
Take this course within the first 24 credits.
- 2
Cultural Competence course recommended.
- 3
To participate in an Internship, students in 60-credit degree programs must have already earned between 40 and 45 credits toward their degree or certificate program.
- 4
Students should check with an advisor before selecting their electives.
- 5
BMGT 225 has a prerequisite or co-requisite of BMGT 103.
- 6
Students interested in CMIS 178 should take CMIS 101 and CMIS 177 (CMIS 101 is a prerequisite for CMIS 177 and CMIS 177 is a prerequisite for CMIS 178).
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.