The Graphic Design BFA Program | Academic Requirements
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BFA in Graphic Design: Academic Requirements

In addition to fulfilling general degree requirements, undergraduate students majoring in graphic design must complete the following requirements (89 credits):

Foundation Courses: 19 credits
VIS 1050/ComX: 1 credit
VIS 1060/Foundation Drawing: 3 credits
VIS 1070/Extended Media: 3 credits
VIS 1080/Visual Language: 3 credits
VIS 1250/2-D Processes: 3 credits
VIS 1260/3-D Processes: 3 credits
VIS 1270/4-D Processes: 3 credits

Art History Courses: 12 credits
ARH 1020/History of Art Survey II
ARH —/One course in the history of art before 1800 (lower-level)
ARH —/Art history elective (modern/contemporary)

Graphic Design Studio Courses: 38 credits
VDE 2540/Digital Media for Designers I: 3 credits
VDE 2460/Digital Media for Designers II: 2 credits
VDE 2500/Word and Image I: 3 credits
VDE 2600/Word and Image II: 4 credits
VDE 3200/Advanced Typography: 4 credits
VDE 3300/History of Graphic Design Survey: 4 credits
VDE 3450/Production for Designers: 3 credits
VDE 3510/Word and Image III: 4 credits
VDE 3610/Word and Image IV: 4 credits
VDE 4100/Community Design: 4 credits
VDE —/Graphic design elective: 3 credits

Studio Electives: 11 credits
V —/Visual arts studio electives: 11 credits

Synthesis Courses: 9 credits
VDE 4090/Senior Seminar: 3 credits
DES 4990/Senior Project: 6 credits

Sophomore Review
Students who choose to major in graphic design are required to complete a midprogram sophomore review, conducted during the spring semester. This allows students who pass the review to preregister for required junior-level courses in the major. Students should contact the board-of-study coordinator for specific information on the review process and timeline. Students who do not successfully pass the sophomore review are encouraged to work with the School of Art+Design administration and faculty to find another major that will better fit their educational goals.

Internship Credits
Students majoring in graphic design may count a maximum of 4 hours of internship credit toward graduation.

Updated March 20, 2013

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