Turn Your Passion for Art & Design into a Successful Career with an Online Graphic Design Degree
Tap into your creative side and learn how to produce designs that inspire and influence with the online BA in Graphic Design and Media Artsfrom UMS. Whether you dream of the fast pace of an agency, the rigors of a design firm or the independence of running your own shop, our online graphic design degree program will teach you how to translate your ideas through concept, design and digital media. Choose the general design and media arts track or focus your degree with our web design concentration.
See Yourself Succeed in Graphic Design
Coursework in UMS's online graphic design degree program is built around training you in aesthetics and creative problem solving using the latest technology, while also providing cultural and social context for the work you do. Have the creative vision but not yet familiar with today's design technology tools? Ramp up or refresh your graphic design software skills with the elective GRA 100: Introduction to Graphic Design Technology.
As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your bachelor's in graphic design and media arts at UMS include:
- Advanced technology. Learn how to use the most advanced graphic design hardware and software, including Adobe Creative Suite, with options to learn on a Mac or PC
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Attend class when it's convenient for you - online education means 24/7 access
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
- Expert instruction. Get creative direction directly from accomplished, award-winning instructors with real-world experience who understand the creative process
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we'll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there's no application fee
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Career Outlook
Armed with a bachelor's in graphic design, you can work in a variety of corporate, government and nonprofit organizations or for yourself. Positions include:
- Graphic designer
- Advertising design
- Web designer
- Art director
- Print and packaging design
Curriculum
Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
UMS's bachelor's in graphic design and media arts program includes:
- General education
- Degree-specific courses
General Education Program
Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:
- Writing
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem solving
All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Courses May Include
Program Outcomes
- Design, develop, adapt, and present professional quality graphic and media works that articulate a clear, coherent message using appropriate and effective technical and aesthetic design principles
- Critically analyze and recommend strategies for addressing the impact of various physical, cognitive, cultural, and social factors that shape how graphic and media messages are interpreted
- Evaluate, select, and effectively apply various tools and technology to the design, development, and dissemination of graphic and media works
- Evaluate and respond to complex problems associated with the design, development, and delivery of graphic and visual media through critical and creative thinking and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of specialists and stakeholders
- Apply professional, ethical, and socially and culturally sensitive practices to the design and development of visual media elements
