Undergraduate Degree

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design, which is administered by the Department of Art, Art History, and Design, is a professional degree that prepares students through intensive, immersive, upper-level study in several areas within the discipline to be successful in the field of graphic design.

Admission

Students enrolled at Michigan State University are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design if they:

1. have completed GD 360 and GD 365 and;
2. are in their second semester or later at Michigan State University or equivalent standing at another university, and have not yet earned their 30th credit in GD and STA credits combined.

To apply, students must submit an application consistent with the process outlined by the department. Applications will include a portfolio of graphic design produced in studio art course work taken to date at Michigan State University. Exceptions will be considered for transfer students. Applications are due by the end of the eighth week of the spring semester and decisions will be made in time for annual enrollment. Fall semester applications will be reviewed as warranted. Oral interviews may be requested. Students denied admission may reapply one additional time.
For further information, visit www.art.msu.edu.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Graphic Design major is met by completing Graphic Design 492.  That course is referenced in item 3. a. (1) below.
2. The requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

	a.	The following Graphic Design and Studio Art courses (66 to 69 credits):
		(1)	All of the following courses:  Studio Art 110, 112, 113, 114; Graphic Design 160, 360, 365, 460, 492, and 492A (27 credits).
			The completion of Graphic Design 492 and 492A satisfies the capstone course requirement for the Graphic Design major.
		(2)	Four of the following courses including at least one course from each of the following three areas (12 credits):
			Two-Dimensional Area
			Painting: Studio Art 320
			Printmaking: Studio Art 330, 335
			Three-Dimensional Area
			Ceramics: Studio Art 340, 345
			Sculpture: Studio Art 350, 351, 354, 355
			Electronic Art and Intermedia and Photography Area
			Photography: Studio Art 370
			Electronic Art and Intermedia: Studio Art 380, 384, 385
		(3)	Five of the following Graphic Design electives: Graphic Design 303, 462, 465, 466, 467, 468, and 491 (15 credits).
		(4)	Completion of an experiential learning component through enrollment in Graphic Design 493 or 494 (3 credits).
		(5)	Graphic Design and Studio Art electives:  Additional credits in Graphic Design and Studio Art courses at the 300–400 level as needed to meet the requirement of at least 66, but not more than 69, credits in courses in the major.
	b.	Art History and Visual Culture:  Four courses including the following (12 or 13 credits):
		(1)	History of Art 101 and 102 (6 credits)
		(2)	Graphic Design 200 (3 credits)
		(3)	One additional course in History of Art at the 200 or 400-level (3 or 4 credits)