School of Arts & Humanities · Bachelor’s degree
Graphic Design (BA or BS)
Design how ideas look, move, and connect.
Design shapes how people see brands, websites, and stories. MVU’s BA/BS in Graphic Design teaches design principles, digital tools, and design thinking, and you can complete it entirely online, pair it with another major, and stack micro-credentials along the way.
120
credit hours to graduate
36
credit hours in the major
Online or hybrid
choose what fits
4 years
at a full-time pace
Why graphic design at MVU
Flexible, practical, and portfolio-focused
Build skills that work in any creative or professional field.
Study online
Complete the degree entirely online, or combine online and in-person study.
Stack micro-credentials
Earn credentials in branding, interactive media, or photography as you go.
A professional portfolio
Finish with a capstone course and a portfolio that shows your creative voice.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Design brands, websites, motion graphics, and more.
- Study online while you work or play a sport.
- Combine design with marketing, business, or another major.
- Build a portfolio that opens doors.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Use design principles, color, typography, and composition to tell stories.
- Work with industry-standard software and new technology.
- Research audiences and refine designs through iteration.
- Work professionally, ethically, and collaboratively.
- Manage projects and build a cohesive portfolio.
How the degree works
How your 120 credit hours add up
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you choose courses each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
Design courses
33 credit hours you choose from design, photography, typography, web, motion, 3D, branding, animation, and an internship.
03
Capstone and portfolio
Finish with GRFX 444 Capstone & Portfolio (3 credit hours).
04
Electives or a minor
Use the rest of your 120 hours for electives, a minor, or even a second major.
Invest in your own toolkit: Graphic design courses have no course fees, and textbooks are used only when needed. You’ll need a device that can run Adobe Creative Cloud and an active subscription.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
Design courses (33 credit hours from this list)
- ART 115 Design Fundamentals
- ART 125 Digital Photography
- ART 333 Advanced Photography
- GRFX 101 Media & Design Innovation
- GRFX 210 Vector Graphics
- GRFX 220 Raster Graphics
- GRFX 301 Ideation
- GRFX 305 Web Design
- GRFX 310 Typography
- GRFX 320 Desktop Publishing
- GRFX 330 Motion Graphics & Video
- GRFX 340 3D Graphics
- GRFX 350 Branding
- GRFX 360 Animation
- GRFX 440 The Creative Forge
- GRFX 249/349/449 Special Topics
- GRFX 401 Internship
Capstone (3 credit hours)
- GRFX 444 Capstone & Portfolio
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
Can I take it online?
Yes. You can complete the BA/BS in Graphic Design entirely online, or combine online and in-person courses.
What’s the difference between the BA/BS and the BFA?
The BA/BS is flexible and can be completed online. The BFA in Graphic Design is a professional degree with a studio art core and a senior capstone, and it has higher GPA requirements.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about courses, micro-credentials, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Graphic Design (BA or BS)
