Graphic Design Major (BA)

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The graphic design major includes the art core curriculum as well as courses in specialized areas pertinent to the commercial graphic design industry. In all, the major provides a holistic curriculum that offers diverse approaches to visual language. The emphasis of this curriculum is one that focuses on the designer as artist and not simply a technician. In addition, students in the major have opportunities to work with regionally-based clients within the classroom setting. This provides a sample of real-world experiences similar to those in the career field while still maintaining the mentorship of professional instructors.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Creativity: Using various art-making techniques, students create works that reveal and communicate their personal style and conceptual ideas. (Communication and Personal/Social Responsibility)
2. Visual Analysis: Students analyze and evaluate the historical, formal, and conceptual components of artwork, including their own. (Reasoned Judgment)
3. Communication: Students communicate competently in formats expected in the profession. (Communication)
4. Personal and Social Responsibility: Students are responsible and thoughtful as contributors to visual culture and as members of UW-P studio/lab/lecture areas. (Personal and Social Responsibility)

All graphic design majors must maintain a minimum 2.75 grade point average in the major to remain in the program. If a student cannot maintain the required GPA, he/she may consider completing the 48-credit “general” art major and design certificate instead.

Requirements for the Graphic Design Major

All graphic design majors must maintain a minimum 2.75 grade point average in the major to remain in the program. If a student cannot maintain the required GPA, he/she may consider completing the 48-credit “general” art major and design certificate instead.

All students earning a graphic design major must complete a minimum of 21 credits within the major at UW-Parkside.

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Other relevant, upper division courses that address the history of art or visual culture may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the art history advisor.

Degree Requirements (Bachelor's Degree)

In addition to individual program requirements, students must also fulfill the following requirements.

1. Complete 120 credits of college work. This must include 36 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Certain elementary courses are identified in the catalog and/or course schedule as not counting toward the 120 credits required for graduation. In addition, only the first 8 credits of physical education activity courses (100-level) may be counted toward graduation or grade point averages (GPA).
2. Earn a minimum of 30 credits toward their undergraduate degree at UW-Parkside. Individual departments and programs may require that certain courses must be taken at UW-Parkside. Students must complete all course work to be counted toward graduation by the end of the semester/subscription period in which they graduate.
3. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. Some programs have higher GPA requirements. Transfer students must also have a cumulative 2.00 GPA on the combination of transfer credits accepted and credits attempted at UW-Parkside.
4. Complete an approved major program of study with the minimum major GPA as specified by the program or department. Usually, the minimum GPA is 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, but some majors require a higher GPA. Students who apply transfer credits to their majors must also meet the minimum major GPA requirement on the combination of transfer credits and UW-Parkside credits. At least 15 credits of upper level course work (courses numbered 300 or higher) must be completed at UW-Parkside. A student may not graduate with an incomplete grade in major course work if failure in that course would reduce the GPA in the major below the minimum GPA.

 Cumulative Degree GPA: 2.0 minimum

** Transfer students in sustainable management, and health information management and technology collaborative, online degree-completion programs, the business management online degree-completion program, and the flexible option degree-completion program will be exempt from the university’s foreign language requirement. See appropriate academic section for further information.

Skills Requirement

General Education

• General Education Course List

Foreign Language

Ethnic Diversity