The Degree
The Graphic Design program at College of DuPage is proud to offer a NASAD accredited degree for students seeking a career in the field of Graphic Design. Our degree has a 2+2 articulation agreement with several four-year schools that allows your program credits to transfer so you enter junior status.
If you’re looking to brush up on your design skills, or are interested in changing careers and already have a four-year degree, be sure to check out the certificates that we offer.
Helpful Guides:
Graphic Design Advising Sheet and the Student Degree Planning Worksheet
General Education Requirements
Each candidate for an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Graphic Design degree shall satisfactorily complete 18 to 22 credits in General Education.
Use the Student Planning Worksheet or consult a list of General Education categories and courses for the A.A.S. degree to decide what needs to be taken.
Under the specified General Education headings below, the following courses are required or recommended for the Graphic Design degree:
- Communications (6 credits required)
- ENGLISH 1101
- ENGLISH 1102
- SPEECH 1100
- SPEECH 1120
- SPEECH 1150
- Physical/Life Sciences (3 to 5 credits required)
- Any Earth Science course
- Mathematics (3 to 5 credits required)
- MATHEMATICS 1100
- MATHEMATICS 1218
- Business Mathematics
- Humanities and Fine Arts (3 credits required)
- ART 2211 Art History I: To 1300
- ART 2212 Art History II: 1300–1750
- ART 2213 Art History III: 1750 to Present
- ART 2214 Introduction to Non-Western Art
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits required)
- PSYCHOLOGY 1100
- Any Anthropology Course
- Any Sociology Course
A minimum of 2 credits must be completed from the list of courses in the Global/Multicultural Studies or Contemporary Life Skills category. Courses taken under Program Requirements or General Education can satisfy this requirement.
Degree Requirements
Listed below are the Design courses required to complete the Graphic Design Degree at College of DuPage.
GRDSN 1100 Drawing for Design
GRDSN 1102 Graphic Design I
GRDSN 1103 Project Planning for Graphic Design
GRDSN 1104 Typography
GRDSN 1105 Graphic Design II
GRDSN 1106 Three-Dimensional Design
GRDSN 1107 Digital Illustration I
GRDSN 1108 Digital Illustration II
GRDSN 2201 Graphic Design III
GRDSN 2202 Web/Interactive Design I
GRDSN 2203 Advertising Design
GRDSN 2204 Digital Illustration III
GRDSN 2205 Graphic Design IV
GRDSN 2206 Web/Interactive Design II
GRDSN 2207 New Media Design
GRDSN 2208 Portfolio Seminar
It is recommended that students complete the entire degree; however, our certificates are excellent for those who wish to brush up on their design skills or would like to obtain an overall knowledge of design.
* Note that the course list (above) is identical to the the Level I and Level 2 Certificates also offered through the Graphic Design program, the difference being that certificates have no General Education Requirements.