Graphic Design

Bachelor of Art in Graphic Design

120 TOTAL DEGREE HOURS, 54 MAJOR HOURS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN, 18 ELECTIVE HOURS

Graphic Design is a creative and inspiring process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas and information visually from client to audience. Rooted in traditional art and design foundations, the focus of the Graphic Design curriculum is to educate and inform students of the impact design can make through the exploration of diverse problem-solving methodologies, innovative investigations, and innovative research in all forms of visual communication.  Graphic Design majors will address issues stressing social and cultural awareness through their studio work, integration of new technology, and sustainable professional practices while being prepared to enter into the evolving creative industry.

REQUIRED COURSES

In addition to the University Core Curriculum, the following courses are required for the BA in Graphic Design:

ELECTIVE COURSEWORK

18 hours of Upper Division (3000 & 4000 levels) elective coursework in your area of interest is provided. Students are encouraged to choose electives that complement their career path. Courses in fine art, marketing, media production, and communication are a few disciplines that are popular among students. Internship (3 Sem. Hrs.) can be taken up to two times for UD elective credit.

INTERNSHIPS

In addition to the required coursework above, students will participate in our internship program during their junior and senior years. Internships are for course credit (3 Sem. Hrs.) and count as an upper-division elective. Our Internship Coordinator will provide assistance in attaining exciting design-centric placement. Ongoing internships are typically available with local publications, non-profit organizations, city offices, advertising agencies, video production companies, tourist attractions, small businesses and large corporations. On-campus placements within various University departments are also available. In addition to their individual internship appointment, students will work collaboratively to produce work for an elected course client in a guided service-learning project. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Several academic scholarships are available to students who apply. Typically, a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a portfolio of recent work are required for application. Awards from the Department range from $500 to $2,500 annually, and awards from outside sources can be as high as $7,500 annually. All program students are notified of available funding opportunities.

REVIEWS

The BA in Graphic Design degree is a 4-year sequenced curriculum that cannot be expedited. Students undergo a formal review of their creative coursework to enroll in additional courses. Discerning admission into the major ensures elevated professionalism of program graduates. There are two reviews a student will encounter during their matriculation. The lower-level review occurs when the student completes their first year of coursework. The upper-level review occurs after the student completes their second year of coursework. Requirements include a portfolio review of coursework completed in Graphic Design classes and a prescribed questionnaire or reflexive essay. The Program Coordinator and faculty will coach all students on the review process and preparation prior to their application.

FACILITIES

Your experience at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will be like no other. Small class sizes, renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a community that supports creativity are sure to fuel your imagination! Students experience a variety of challenging and creative courses both within the graphic design major and as electives. Studio arts, media studies, communication, and marketing all complement the graphic design degree.

Looking for a little inspiration? Well, you've come to the right place. Our creative and collaborative spaces will allow you to think outside the box and find your creative voice. Our design lab is equipped with 20, 27" iMacs and loaded with Adobe Creative Cloud® software, including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premier, After Effects, and more! iPads are available to all program students to check out for coursework for designing on the go. Did we mention our 60" Canon Printer and three color laser printers? Don't worry about spending money on your large prints. We've got you covered!

AWARDS COMPETITIONS

Be a part of an award-winning design program! Our students have won over 300 awards since 2016, regionally, nationally and internationally. Our students are active in the American Advertising Awards, The National Student Show Competition, and Indigo Awards, to name a few. In addition to building their resumes for creative careers, many students earn trophies and cash scholarships for their winning work.

Master of Fine Arts, Graphic Design

60 TOTAL DEGREE HOURS, 36 GRAPHIC DESIGN HOURS, 6 ELECTIVE HOURS, 6 HISTORY/THEORY HOURS, 12 PROJECT & THESIS HOURS

The M.F.A. in Studio Art is designed to enable students to develop superior graphic design proficiency and knowledge of higher education pedagogy or professional practices, and an in-depth understanding of theory and criticism. The Master of Fine Arts degree is sufficient for independent study or a career in higher education post-graduation.

The distribution of requirements is seen in the following outline:

Graphic Design - 36 semester hours

• 30 semester hours in area of concentration, Graphic Design (ARTS 5314)
• 6 semester hours Graduate Teaching Assistant Practicum in area of concentration,
  Graphic Design (ARTS 5397)

Art History/Theory & Methods - 6 semester hours

• 6 semester hours in graduate Art Theory & Methods course (ARTS 5392) and Art History and Criticism courses (ARTS 5393). The 6 semester hours can both be in Art History and Criticism courses with varying topics (ARTS 5393).

MFA Project and Thesis- 12 semester hours

• 6 semester hours MFA Project (ARTS 5398)
• 6 semester hours MFA Thesis (ARTS 5395)

Total: 60 Hours