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Online Bachelor's Degree: Graphic Communication

Graphic Communication
Bachelor of Arts
DEGREE AT A GLANCE
  • 120 credits
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • All courses available online
  • Select hybrid courses available
TUITION RATES
  • $324 per credit (in-state)
  • $499 per credit (out-of-state)
  • $250 per credit (military)
  • Other fees may apply
Next Session Starts
January 8

Earn an online bachelor’s degree in graphic communication from University of Maryland Global Campus that may help you stand out in a crowded, competitive job market. Increase your marketability by developing career-relevant skills such as graphic design, innovation, and marketing. Work with our experienced faculty members whose expertise can help expand your knowledge base. Additionally, UMGC's convenient online courses allow you to earn your degree on your schedule, while our generous transfer credit policy could help you save time and money. There’s never been a better time to take that next step in your education journey. Apply today!

Create a Professional Graphic Design Portfolio

Master skills and technology to compete in today’s rapidly changing visual arts environment. Throughout this program, you'll develop an updated portfolio that’s tailor-made for your ideal clients and put your creativity to work in pursuit of a career as a graphic designer or creative director. Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars, so you can apply the knowledge you acquire to your career right away.

Program graduates may be able to apply principles of composition, layout, color theory, and design to generate dynamic graphics, illustrations, and other pieces. Students will also gain extensive experience planning, designing, and creating interactive solutions such as motion graphics for a range of platforms.

Benefits of this degree program include:

  • Competitive tuition rates for Maryland residents, as well as discounts for military servicemembers and their spouses and dependents.
  • A generous transfer credit policy allowing up to 90 undergraduate transfer credits from various sources, including prior college coursework, military training and experience, and previously acquired knowledge.
  • The flexibility and convenience of online courses, virtual advising, and 24-hour technical support.
  • A career-focused curriculum that places an emphasis on portfolio development, professional branding, and real-life business practices.

View Graphic Communication Courses & Requirements

This program requires a total of 120 credits.

  • 33 Required Major Credits: Review the required major courses outlined below or view the recommended course sequence to progress through this program.
  • 41 General Education Credits: Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework requirements for bachelor's degrees.
  • 46 Minor & Elective Credits: Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or to help you select elective courses.

Required Major Courses

  • (3 Credits, GRCO 100)
  • (3 Credits, ARTT 110)
  • (3 Credits, ARTT 120)
  • (3 Credits, ARTT 210)
  • (3 Credits, GRCO 230)
  • (3 Credits, GRCO 350)
  • (3 Credits, GRCO 354)
  • (3 Credits, GRCO 355)
  • (3 Credits, GRCO 450)
  • (3 Credits, GRCO 479)
  • (3 Credits, GRCO 495)

Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024–2025 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Read the Catalog

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each bachelor’s degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all bachelor’s degrees.

See Degree Requirements

Develop Career-Ready Expertise in Graphic Design

Develop highly valued, workplace-ready knowledge in this degree program. This program is designed to help you openly collaborate on creative concepts to generate professional visual communication and graphic design projects and meet clients’ goals. You will also hone your ability to recognize, guide, discuss and create innovative design solutions in a professional work environment.

Our program directors update the curriculum regularly, and in conjunction with our respected faculty’s knowledge and expertise, focus on helping students achieve the following:

Get Creative
Produce effective visual communications by applying principles of composition, layout, color theory, and context.
Design Solutions
Plan, design, and create interactive solutions, such as user interfaces, motion graphics, mobile applications, and web designs.
Gain Skills
Use professional, analytical, collaborative, and technical design skills to support team goals, roles, and responsibilities.
Define Strategy
Define creative campaign strategy in a business environment by combining scope, messaging, and evaluation of success.

Build Your Design Portfolio

This program is designed to help prepare you for a graphic design or communication management career in a variety of industries, including advertising, video production, product design, print media, digital marketing and content creation, and more. It is intended to provide you with a complete professional portfolio that showcases your graphic design samples, communication expertise, digital savvy, and brand identity. You'll prepare for job titles such as creative director, art director, web and digital interface designer, product engineer, and visual designer. 

Jerry F., Devon, MA

22K+
Annual Job Growth
About 22,800 job openings for graphic designers are projected each year from 2022 to 2032.
No. 1
Top Creative Job
Art director is ranked as the top "creative and media” job of 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.

Practice Real-World Skills in Your Graphic Communication Courses

Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign hands-on coursework that will help you prioritize in-demand knowledge and experience. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:

  • Create various company visuals including logo options, stationery, and a webpage layout; and develop a complete visual identity package for an established company.
  • Illustrate a collection of imagery and use data visualization to create an informative infographic that will educate, entertain, and inform a target audience.
  • Create visuals for social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and more, as a component of visual branding and communication design.
  • Pair text with motion to communicate a client’s message to their desired target audience as an effective video marketing strategy.
  • Explore current trends in employment opportunities to design an online portfolio that demonstrates a full scope of creative and innovative graphic design pieces.

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The reputation for UMGC in the military is absolutely amazing. They absolutely prepare you for your life after your military service.

Renetta H., Birmingham, AL BA in Graphic Communication

 

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