ASSOCIATE & BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

Undergraduate Graphic Design Program Outcomes

  • Examine fundamental design and business principles

    Examine fundamental design and business principles, techniques, and tools essential for addressing various design, art, and business challenges. 

  • Apply design software and technologies 

    Apply design software and technologies proficiently to create professional-quality work that could be used by themselves or other business professionals. 

  • Demonstrate essential aspects of the business, art, and design environments

    Demonstrate essential aspects of the business, art, and design environments, including client relations, production techniques, project completion, and business operations.

  • Prepare for presentation a comprehensive portfolio

    Prepare for presentation a comprehensive portfolio that effectively showcases their design, business skills, and creativity. 

  • Apply traditional and hands-on art and craft techniques

    Apply traditional and hands-on art and craft techniques across a range of media to build technical skill, strong craftsmanship, and a personal artistic style.

Associate of Arts in Graphic Design Program Outcomes (60 Credit Hours)

General Education Courses

Choose 18 credits from the following courses:

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
ENG 101 Introduction to Writing 15 weeks 3 Fall
ENG 102 Creative Writing 15 weeks 3 Spring
HIS 101 History of Art 15 weeks 3 Spring
COM 101 Professional Communication 15 weeks 3 Spring
ACC 101 Accounting for Creatives 15 weeks 3 Fall
SOC 101 Human Behavior & Society 15 weeks 3 Spring
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 15 weeks 3 Spring
BIO 101 Introduction to Biology 15 weeks 3 Fall
HUM 101 Introduction to Humanities 15 weeks 3 Spring
BUS 101 Introduction to Business 15 weeks 3 Fall

Core Courses

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 101 Design Foundations on Fire 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 102 Introduction to Photoshop and InDesign 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 103 Introduction to Illustrator 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 210 Typography 15 weeks 3 Spring
ART 120 Painting I 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 232 Illustration History & Theory 15 weeks 3 Spring
ART 140 Drawing and Visual Thinking 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 220 History of Graphic Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 111 Creative Technology & AI: Theory and Practice 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 230 Introduction to Product Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 221 Photography & Photoshop for Media 15 weeks 3 Spring

Electives

In addition, you will need to choose 9 credits of electives.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (120 Credit Hours) with Emphasis Choice of Book Design & Illustration, Marketing or Fiber & Fabric Arts

General Education Courses

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
ENG 101 Introduction to Writing 15 weeks 3 Fall
ENG 102 Creative Writing 15 weeks 3 Spring
HIS 101 History of Art 15 weeks 3 Spring
COM 101 Professional Communication 15 weeks 3 Spring
ACC 101 Accounting for Creatives 15 weeks 3 Fall
SOC 101 Human Behavior & Society 15 weeks 3 Spring
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 15 weeks 3 Spring
BIO 101 Introduction to Biology 15 weeks 3 Fall
HUM 101 Introduction to Humanities 15 weeks 3 Spring
BUS 101 Introduction to Business 15 weeks 3 Fall

Core Courses

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 101 Design Foundations on Fire 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 102 Introduction to Photoshop and InDesign 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 103 Introduction to Illustrator 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 210 Typography 15 weeks 3 Spring
ART 120 Painting I 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 232 Illustration History & Theory 15 weeks 3 Spring
ART 140 Drawing and Visual Thinking 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 220 History of Graphic Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 111 Creative Technology & AI: Theory and Practice 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 230 Introduction to Product Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 221 Photography & Photoshop for Media 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 330 Web Design Fundamentals & UX Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 340 Layout and Publication Design 15 weeks 3 Fall

Professional Practice & Capstones

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
BUS 420 Internship 15 weeks 3 Spring/Summer
DES 440 Senior Thesis I Research & Concept 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 450 Senior Thesis II Production, Exhibition, & Defense 15 weeks 3 Spring

Electives

Choose 21 credits of electives.

Undergraduate or Accelerated Graduate Credit

Choose 9 credits from either the Undergraduate Credit Courses or the Accelerated Graduate Credit Courses (accelerated path for students moving on to an MA degree):

COURSES UNDERGRADUATE CREDIT COURSES LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 204 Creative Innovations & Color Theory 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 301 Business Foundations for Designers & Artists (Professional Practice) 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 302 Illustrator Academy 15 weeks 3 Spring
COURSES ACCELERATED GRADUATE CREDIT COURSES LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 502 or 503 Creative Innovations & Color Theory 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 501 Business Foundations for Designers & Artists (Professional Practice) 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 504 Illustrator Academy 15 weeks 3 Spring

Emphasis Courses

Choose one 12-credit emphasis:

Emphasis in Book Design & Illustration

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 321 Book Design, Layout, & Self Publishing 15 weeks 3 Spring
ART 331 Narrative Writing & Illustration 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 341 Book Binding 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 351 Paper Engineering and Interactive Books 15 weeks 3 Spring

Emphasis in Marketing

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 310 Social Media Strategy & Digital Marketing 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 332 Personal Branding & Audience Development 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 372 Advertising & Campaign Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 362 Branding, Freelance Business, & Identity Systems 15 weeks 3 Spring

Emphasis in Fiber & Fabric Arts

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 323 Introduction to Quilt Pattern Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 350 Painting, Drawing, and Printing on Fabric 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 304 Surface Pattern Design with an Emphasis in Fabric, Paper, & Wallpaper 15 weeks 3 Summer
ART 310 Fiber Art Techniques & Theory 15 weeks 3 Fall

Entrepreneurship & Business Program Outcomes

  • Examine fundamental design and business principles

    Examine fundamental design and business principles, techniques, and tools essential for addressing various design, art, and business challenges. 

  • Apply design software and technologies 

    Apply design software and technologies proficiently to create professional-quality work that could be used by themselves or other business professionals. 

  • Demonstrate essential aspects of the business, art, and design environments

    Demonstrate essential aspects of the business, art, and design environments, including client relations, production techniques, project completion, and business operations.

  • Prepare for presentation a comprehensive portfolio

    Prepare for presentation a comprehensive portfolio that effectively showcases their design, business skills, and creativity. 

  • Apply entrepreneurial, financial, and operational skills

    Apply entrepreneurial, financial, and operational skills to start or manage a creative business or freelance practice.

Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship (120 Credit Hours) with Emphasis Choice of Book Design & Illustration, Art, Graphic Design, or Fiber & Fabric Arts

General Education Courses

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
ENG 101 Introduction to Writing 15 weeks 3 Fall
ENG 102 Creative Writing 15 weeks 3 Spring
HIS 101 History of Art 15 weeks 3 Spring
COM 101 Professional Communication 15 weeks 3 Spring
ACC 101 Accounting for Creatives 15 weeks 3 Fall
SOC 101 Human Behavior & Society 15 weeks 3 Spring
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 15 weeks 3 Spring
BIO 101 Introduction to Biology 15 weeks 3 Fall
HUM 101 Introduction to Humanities 15 weeks 3 Spring
BUS 101 Introduction to Business 15 weeks 3 Fall

Core Courses

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 101 Design Foundations on Fire 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 102 Introduction to Photoshop and InDesign 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 103 Introduction to Illustrator 15 weeks 3 Fall
BUS 222 Business Methodology & AI 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 221 Photography & Photoshop for Media 15 weeks 3 Spring
ENT 210 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 15 weeks 3 Fall
ENT 220 Business Data & Operations 15 weeks 3 Spring
ENT 310 Entrepreneurship Creativity, Innovation, & Sales 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 352 Design Principles & Theory: Perspectives from Industry Professionals 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 310 Social Media Strategy & Digital Marketing 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 332 Personal Branding & Audience Development 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 362 Branding, Freelance Business, & Identity Systems 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 372 Advertising & Campaign Design 15 weeks 3 Fall

Professional Practice & Capstones

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
BUS 440 Internship 15 weeks 3 Spring/Summer
DES 440 Senior Thesis I Portfolio, Research, & Concept 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 450 Senior Thesis II Production, Exhibition, & Defense 15 weeks 3 Spring

Electives

Choose 21 credits of electives.

Undergraduate or Accelerated Graduate Credit

Choose 9 credits from either the Undergraduate Credit Courses or the Accelerated Graduate Credit Courses (accelerated path for students moving on to an MA degree):

COURSES UNDERGRADUATE CREDIT COURSES LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 204 Creative Innovations & Color Theory 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 301 Business Foundations for Designers & Artists (Professional Practice) 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 302 Illustrator Academy 15 weeks 3 Spring
COURSES ACCELERATED GRADUATE CREDIT COURSES LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 502 or 503 Creative Innovations & Color Theory 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 501 Business Foundations for Designers & Artists (Professional Practice) 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 504 Illustrator Academy 15 weeks 3 Spring

Emphasis Courses

Choose one 12-credit emphasis:

Emphasis in Graphic Design

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 210 Typography 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 220 History of Graphic Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 230 Introduction to Product Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 340 Layout and Publication Design 15 weeks 3 Fall

Emphasis in Art

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
ART 120 Painting I 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 232 Illustration History & Theory 15 weeks 3 Spring
ART 140 Drawing and Visual Thinking 15 weeks 3 Spring
DES 230 Introduction to Product Design 15 weeks 3 Fall

Emphasis in Book Design & Illustration

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 321 Book Design, Layout, & Self Publishing 15 weeks 3 Spring
ART 331 Narrative Writing & Illustration 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 341 Book Binding 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 351 Paper Engineering and Interactive Books 15 weeks 3 Spring

Emphasis in Fiber & Fabric Arts

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABILITY
DES 323 Introduction to Quilt Pattern Design 15 weeks 3 Fall
ART 350 Painting, Drawing, and Printing on Fabric 15 weeks 3 Fall
DES 304 Surface Pattern Design with an Emphasis in Fabric, Paper, & Wallpaper 15 weeks 3 Summer
ART 310 Fiber Art Techniques & Theory 15 weeks 3 Fall

Independent Study

Independent study may be substituted for any 1.5-credit course in this program. Students are limited to 1.5 credits of independent study toward degree requirements. Please contact your Academic Advisor to discuss eligibility and course requirements.

Independent study is self-directed work completed under the guidance of a UAD instructor. Projects are proposed by the student and approved by their Academic Advisor before enrollment. Examples of independent study projects include developing a business proposal for a design venture, traveling abroad with a UAD instructor to explore international design culture, pursuing an in-depth research project, or completing a significant creative or professional work tied to your degree goals. All independent study projects require a defined scope, clear deliverables, and regular check-ins with your supervising instructor.

COURSES COURSE NAME LENGTH CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER AVAILABLE
DES 333 Independent Study 15 weeks 1.5 Fall, Spring, Summer