Course variations

Course summary

Graphic Design majors study visual communications theory and practice in digital, print, time-based, on-line, and interactive media. Areas of study may include, but are not limited to, logos, computer graphics, publication and web page design, illustration, advertising, posters, multi-media, and computer animation. The program aims to develop a knowledge base for careers that can relate to professional practice, and students prepare a portfolio for use after graduation to seek positions in business and industry as well as nonprofit organizations.

Program modules

The Visual Arts Core of studio courses (ART 111, 112, 121, 122, 123, and ARTD 202) and art history courses (ARTH 100, 211, 212, and ARTH Advanced Writing Requirement); an associated 21 credit hours of graphic design courses that consist of design theory, visual communications, computer graphics, design media, photography or time-based media; and seven credit hours of Art and Graphic Design electives with Art (ART), Art History (ARTH), Graphic Design (ARTD), or Art Education (ARTE) prefixes. To graduate, Majors present their work to a faculty jury who assess the student’s development in two reviews: the Progress Review and the Senior Review. The Progress Review involves the submission of a portfolio of studio work completed after 15 credit hours of Visual Art Studio Core courses. The Senior Review consists of a public exhibition that presents the student’s portfolio; the Senior Review exhibition also may include the student’s fine art works.

Entry requirement for international students

Students applying for Bachelors degree must have an advanced coursework in high school and offer credit, where appropriate, for demonstrated prior learning at the college level. They must complete the following required courses with a cumulative grade point average of a C or higher 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. They are 4 years of English, 3 years of Advanced Mathematics 1, 3 years of Laboratory Science 2, 3 years of Social Science, 1 year of Fine Arts for students graduating from South Dakota high schools. International students generally need to have a secondary or college transfer grade point average of 2.5 for engineering or a 2.25 for other majors. Transfer students from academic programs at other U.S. institutions must have completed at least 25 consecutive semester credits 37.5 quarter credits at a single institution. A minimum score of 500 on the TOEFL is required for non-native speakers of English (minimum is subject to change). Applicants whose native language is English or those who are from a country where English is the only language is not required to submit results from a TOEFL.

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

South Dakota State University

Department name

College Of Arts And Sciences, Department of Visual Arts