minnesota creative writing mfa

OFFERED IN ASHEVILLE

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, offered by the Thomas Wolfe Center for Narrative at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Asheville, is designed to help students with a passion for writing hone their skills and develop their vision. Students can specialize in fiction, poetry or creative nonfiction. Students may also select classes from the Narrative Healthcare Certificate Program, also offered by the center.

Program Overview

The MFA in creative writing combines literary study and writing workshops to help students develop their skills as critical readers, hone their craft as writers and expand their abilities to improve their own and others’ work.  At the heart of the program are small, supportive, intensive writing workshop experiences facilitated by experienced writers and teachers.  Classes are offered through online, synchronous sessions, allowing students to join the program in Asheville or from elsewhere.

All faculty in the program are appropriately credentialed. In addition to established writers, a variety of community professionals employed in various relevant settings will provide instruction and guidance.

Program Structure

This program is flexible enough to fit the schedule of anyone, whether entering directly from an undergraduate program, in mid-career or considering a career change. Courses are held in the evenings for the convenience of working students. The length of time to complete this program varies based on class load and the scheduling of classes. The program can be completed on average in three years or can be taken at a pace conducive to the student’s schedule.

Program Admission Requirements

Visit Graduate Admission for the most current Program Admission Requirements .

Literary Study: (18 hours)

• ENG 505 - Literary Studies Seminar 3 Credits. (repeated six times with different subtitles.)

Writing Workshops (21 hours)

Choose one of the following writing content focus areas - to be repeated 3 times for a total of 9 hours:

• WRI 520 - Workshop in Writing Fiction 3 Credits.
• WRI 521 - Workshop in Writing Creative Nonfiction 3 Credits.
• WRI 522 - Workshop in Writing Poetry 3 Credits.
• Writing Workshop - Outside area (one of the above, not the focus area) 3 credits.
• Writing Workshop -  WRI 583    - Special Topic in an area related focus 3 credits.
• Writing Workshops - two additional workshops, in any of the areas above 6 credits.

Theses Workshops (6 hours)

• WRI 560 - Creative Theses 3 Credits. (to be taken twice for a total of six hours.)

Total Credit Hours: 45

*Each student will take three workshops ( WRI 520   ,  WRI 521   , or  WRI 522    ) in their area of concentration, one special topics workshop in a related area, one workshop in an area outside his or her concentration, and two additional workshops from the above offerings.  MFA students with an interest in Narrative Healthcare may take  WRI 545   ,  WRI 546   , and  WRI 547     in place of the “outside” and “additional” workshops.

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Amanda fields phd, mfa.

Amanda Fields is an Associate Professor of English and Writing Center Director at Central Connecticut State University as well as the Editor-in-Chief of  Literary Mama . She co-edited  My Caesarean: Twenty-One Mothers on the C-Section Experience and After  (The Experiment Press), a Silver winner of the 2019 Foreword INDIES, and  Toward, Around, and Away From Tahrir: Tracking Emerging Expressions of Egyptian Identity  (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2014). Her writing and research have been published in  Brevity ,  Indiana Review ,  So   to Speak ,  Nashville Review ,  Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy ,  The Writing Center Journal , The Peer Review , Children's Literature Quarterly, Writing Program Administration, Sexuality Research and Social Policy ,  Journal of Adolescent Research , and others.

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of fine arts, master of arts, bachelor of arts (ba).

rhetoric; composition; assessment; antiracist policy and practice; queer & third space rhetorics; participatory action research; social policies; writing center theory; youth studies; creative writing

Selected Publications

Books, Edited Collections

Fields, Amanda, and Rachel Moritz, editors. My Caesarean: Twenty-One Mothers on the Caesarean Experience and After . The Experiment Press, 2019.

Golson, Emily, Loubna Youssef, & Amanda Fields , editors. Toward, Around, and Away From Tahrir: Tracking Emerging Expressions of Egyptian Identity . Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2014.

Fields, Amanda , Elizabeth Leahy, Celeste DelRusso, & Erica Cirillo-McCarthy. “Snapping From the Center: Equitable Writing Center Administration.” WPA: Writing Program Administration , Vol. 47, No. 1, 2023, pp. 163-176.

Fields, Amanda . “The Tucson Youth Poetry Slam: An Analysis of Discourse By and About Youth Performance.” Children’s Literature Quarterly  Vol. 47, No. 4, 2023, pp. 163-176.

Cirillo-McCarthy, Erica, Celeste DelRusso, Amanda Fields,  and Elizabeth Leahy. “Preserving Self and Center: Equitable Writing Center Praxis that Rejects Absurdity.” The Peer Review , Issue 7, No. 1, 2023.

Fields, Amanda . “Composing an Anti-Racism and Social Justice Statement at a Rural Writing Center.” Writing Center Journal, Issue 39, no. 1-2, 2022, pp. 169-190.

Fields, Amanda , Londie T. Martin, Adela C. Licona, Elizabeth H. Tilley, and The Crossroads Collaborative. “Performing Urgency: Slamming and Spitting as Critical and Creative Response to State Crisis.” Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy . Issue 20, No. 1, 2015. 

Snapp, Shannon, Jennifer Hoenig, Amanda Fields , and Stephen T. Russell. “Messy, Butch, and Queer: LGBTQ Youth and the School-to-Prison Pipeline.” Journal of Adolescent Research , Vol. 30, No. 1, 2015, pp. 57-82.

Fields, Amanda , Shannon Snapp, Stephen T. Russell, Adela C. Licona, Elizabeth H. Tilley, and the Crossroads Collaborative. “Youth Voices and Knowledges: Slam Poetry Speaks to Social Policies.” Sexuality Research and Social Policy , Vol. 11, No. 4, 2014, pp. 310-21.

Book Chapters 

Crossroads Collaborative . “Reflections on Emergent Entremundista Pedagogy: Teacher-Researchers in Engaged Transdisciplinary Public Scholarship.”  Civic Engagement in Global Contexts: International Education, Community Partnerships, and Higher Education . Edited by James Bowman and Jennifer DeWinter. University Press of Colorado, 2021. 111-132. 

Snapp, Shannon, Jennifer Hoenig, Amanda Fields , and Stephen T. Russell. “Messy, Butch, and Queer: LGBTQ Youth and the School-to-Prison Pipeline.” From Education to Incarceration: Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline , edited by Anthony Nocella, Priya Parmar, & David Stovall. 2nd ed., Peter Lang Publishing, 2018, pp. 177-98. [reprint]

Hamel, Christine, Amanda Fields , Celeste DelRusso, and Marisa Sandoval. “Activist Mapping: (Re)framing Narratives about Writing Center Space.” Making Space: Writing Instruction, Infrastructure, and Multiliteracies , edited by James Purdy and Danielle DeVoss. University of Michigan Press, 2017/Sweetland, 2016. 

Russell, Stephen T., Stacey Horn, Raymond L. Moody, Amanda Fields , and Elizabeth H. Tilley. “Enumerated U.S. State Laws: Evidence from Policy Advocacy.” Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Schooling , edited by Stephen T. Russell and Stacey Horn. Oxford UP, 2016, pp. 255-71.

Creative Nonfiction

Fields, Amanda . "We Haven't Said Much About God." Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Anthology . Edited by Amanda Jaros. Small Harbor Publishing, 2024.

Fields, Amanda . "Sea Watch." Mutha Magazine. October 2023.

Fields, Amanda . “Pulled into Brightness.” So to Speak: A Feminist Journal of Language and Art , 2018 Contest Annual, pp. 51-63.

Fields, Amanda . “Cairo Tunnel.” Brevity , no. 30, 2009.

Fields, Amanda.  “Protecting the Patriarchy: A Conversation About Mom Rage with Minna Dubin.” Literary Mama , October/November 2023.

Fields, Amanda. “A Conversation with Sari Fordham.” Literary Mama , May/June 2021.

Fields, Amanda.  “The Roots of Mama Rage: A Review of Writing Maternity: Medicine, Anxiety, Rhetoric, and Genre .” Literary Mama . July/August 2023.

Fields, Amanda.  “Stet the Tears: A Review of You Could Make This Place Beautiful. ” Literary Mama . May/June 2023.

Fields, Amanda. “Since Feeling Is First: A Review of If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays .” Literary Mama . November/December 2022.

Fields, Amanda. “Transnational Motherhood: A Review of Mother Country .” Literary Mama . July/August 2022.

Fields, Amanda. “Giving Voice: A Review of When Home Is Not Safe: Writings on Domestic Verbal, Emotional and Physical Abuse, ” by Judith Skillman and Linera Lucas. Literary Mama . March/April 2022.

Fields, Amanda. “Cairo Tunnel.” In Concert: An Integrated Approach to Reading & Writing, Book II , edited by Kathleen T. McWhorter, 1st ed., Pearson, 2012. (3rd reprint)

Fields, Amanda . “Cairo Tunnel.” Expressways: Scenarios for Paragraph and Essay Writing , edited by Kathleen T. McWhorter, 3rd ed., Pearson, 2012. (2nd reprint)

Fields, Amanda . “Cairo Tunnel.” The Compact Reader: Short Essays By Method and Theme , edited by Jane E. Aaron & Ellen Kuhl Repetto, 9th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010. (1st reprint)

2021 Council of Writing Program Administrators Outstanding Scholarship Award for “Composing an Anti-Racism and Social Justice Statement at a Rural Writing Center," published in Writing Center Journal

2019 Foreword Indies Silver Award in Essay Category for My Caesarean: Twenty-One Mothers on the C-Section Experience and After

Kimmel Harding Nelson Center writing resident: Nebraska City, NE

2016  Kairos Best Webtext Award (awarded to best peer-reviewed webtext in the field)

Elizabeth Ireland Graves Foundation scholarship, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

Artist Initiative Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board 

Fiction Resident, The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Ireland

Fiction Resident at Moulin a Nef in Auvillar, France

Nominated for a Pushcart Prize - “Boiler Room,” Indiana Review 29.1

Nonfiction Resident Fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Anderson Center Resident Fellow: Red Wing, MN

Nominated by the University of Minnesota Creative Writing Program for the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Intro Journals Award in Creative Nonfiction

Editor in Chief, Literary Mama

Steering Committee, Northeast Writing Centers Association

Memberships

International Writing Centers Association

Conference on College Composition and Communication

Council of Writing Program Administrators

National Council on the Teaching of English

Rhetoric Society of America

Coalition for Community Writing

Rhetoric, Race, and Identity

Narratives of Race and Identity

Youth and Social Change

Theories of Rhetoric and Composition

Undergraduate

Topics in Theory & Literary Study: Rhetorics of Race and Identity

African-American Literature

Intermediate Composition

Tutoring Writing

Diversity in the United States

Writing for Publication

Advanced Composition

Business Writing

Life Stories: The Writers’ Workshop

Intermediate Literary Nonfiction

Research Writing

First-Year Writing

Introduction to Literary Nonfiction

Introduction to Fiction

Introduction to Creative Writing

Introduction to Literature

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Find the right school for you

Create meaningful solutions in Ringling College of Art and Design’s Graphic Design BFA program , ranked #1 in the South and in Florida. Join award-winning faculty and students and learn to apply your design in 2D, 3D, and screen-based media. Specialize in branding, packaging, or interactive design. Apply now!

Top 25 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the Midwest – 2024 College Rankings

What are the top graphic design schools in the Midwest for 2024?

Our 2024 rankings of the top graphic design schools in the Midwest. We considered over 250 colleges in the Midwest with graphic design programs for this year's rankings. For an explanation of ranking criteria,  click here .

We define the Midwest as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. 

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has three pathways to study Graphic Design. Housed in the Visual Communication Design (VCD) Department are the Studio BFA with a VCD focus, and a flexible Studio MFA that allows students to design their own plan of study. The Continuing Studies Department has a Graphic Design certificate consisting of courses such as Introduction to Graphic Design; Color Theory; and Digital Design: Adobe Photoshop. 

All students benefit from courses taught by practicing designers; technical advising; and the VCD Departments visiting designer lecture series Exploratory Languages . This annual event features some of the world’s foremost designers and design educators. 

The Studio BFA with a VCD focus explores environments, objects and print (physical media) and interactive and time-based media (virtual media). Course examples for the program include Environmental Graphics; Packaging Design; Letterpress Printing and Book Binding; Motion Graphics Design; Offset Printing/Digital Printing; Sustainable Design; Interaction Design/Interface Design; Publication Design; Book Design; Font/Typography Design; Symbol Design; Website Design/Cross-Platform Design; Exhibition Design; and Identity Design/Strategic Design. 

In addition to a variety of course options, VCD BFA students have the opportunity to complete a Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) internship and participate in the Fall or Spring Exhibition. Students may also participate in the department’s year-end Visual Communication Design Show. 

Graduates of the SAIC VCD program at SAIC will enter the market with a professional portfolio of their best work. Program alumni while our alumni are Designers and Educators at major institutions and studios across the U.S. and abroad. 

The 60 credit hour Studio MFA is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to explore other SAIC departments such as Film, Video, New Media, and Animation (FVNMA); Designed Objects; Intermedia; Writing; Architecture; Photography; and Interior Architecture. Course examples for the program include Type and Image in Motion; Advanced Typography; Package Design; Letterpress Bookworks; Electronic Publications; Image Studio; 4D Design: Manipulating Media; and Envisioning Information. 

A major component of the SAIC Studio MFA is the opportunity to complete a graduate project every semester. MFA students will work one-on-one with artists, writers, and other academics from different SAIC departments. Graduate seminars, such as Form-Configuration-Content and Narrative Architectures, are also part of the program. Successful completion of a thesis is required to graduate. 

Students in all SAIC Design programs may join the VCD AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Chapter, which hosts local visiting designers, the annual Town Hall AIGA event, a biannual portfolio preparation seminar, and tours of Chicago studios. The VCD Department also offers the opportunity for students to participate in juror-led student workshops, and jurors’ lectures through the Chicago International Poster Biennial (CIPB). 

Graduates of the MFA programs at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are employed at museums, advertising agencies, marketing firms, non-profit organizations, and major companies and studios across the U.S. and around the world. 

Founded in 1866 by a group of 35 artists, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the nation’s oldest accredited independent schools of art and design. Serving approximately 3,100 students from around the globe, SAIC provides more than 50 areas of study across 24 academic departments. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) at the University of Cincinnati (UC) is home to the Myron E. Ullman Jr. School of Design. Within the school is a Communication Design program that features five semester-long co-op experiences. These paid opportunities are part of the UC Co-op Program, which has been in existence for more than 100 years. 

Participation is mandatory for all DAAP students, and these paid experiences take place at Fortune 500 companies and abroad in places such as Morocco, South America, and China. Examples of past co-op employers include Disney, IBM, Nike, Procter & Gamble, Guess, Toyota, 3M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Southwest Airlines, Macy’s, GE Aviation, and Kroger. 

In addition to opportunities to gain valuable paid experience, the five-year, 120 credit hour Communication Design program at UC provides access to state-of-the-art production labs and studios; a curriculum that emphasizes studio-based learning that explores graphic, motion, and interaction design; and the opportunity to customize a focus area through electives. 

Course examples for the program include Welcome to Design; Typography 1-3; Design and the Future; Collaborative Studio; Design Aesthetics 1-3; Design and Meaning; Motion Design 1-2; Interaction Design 1-2; and Graphic Design 1-2; Design in History I-II; and Applied Professional Practice - DAAP. The Communication Design program culminates with a final project and portfolio. The program leads to a BS in Design (BSDES) with a Communication Design major. 

At the graduate level, University of Cincinnati has a multidisciplinary STEM Master of Design (MDes) program that explores user experience (UX), industrial design, communication, and fashion design. Considered the terminal degree in the field, the MDes also covers design strategy, systems thinking, design methods, and designing for social impact. 

Course examples for the program include Design Communication; Research Methods; Proposal Studio; Professional Development Seminar; Translational Research; Design Strategy; and Writing Studio. 

The MDes program culminates with the Thesis Development; Defense Studio; and Thesis Delivery courses. Final projects will be exhibited at the Annual UC DAAPworks Show. 

Graduates of the Design programs at University of Cincinnati have been hired at design firms across the U.S.; they work on internal design teams across industries; and many alumni have launched their own design studios and freelance businesses. Some graduates also go on to teach or perform research for various businesses. 

Founded in 1819, University of Cincinnati is an urban research university serves approximately 50,920 students enrolled in more than 400 academic programs across 14 colleges and three campuses. The school has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1919. As an Ohio Public Institution, every program at UC is also approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE).

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is home to the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, which houses the College of Architecture; the Graduate School of Art; the Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design; and Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. Together, these academic divisions provide access to numerous maker spaces and exhibitions; a dedicated art and architecture library; one of the nation’s first Master of Urban Design programs; and approximately 3,500 significant pieces of art and installations by 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century American and European artists. 

Sam Fox also provides dozens of degree programs, including a Design BA with a Communication concentration, and a Communication Design BFA. All first-year students will take Digital Studio and two courses such as 2D Design, Drawing, or 3D Design. Electives from the Sam Fox School and advanced studio courses allow students to create an area of focus. 

The BA program is designed for students seeking a liberal arts curriculum within the studio major, while the BFA provides an immersive studio experience. Students in both programs benefit from low student-to-faculty ratios allowing opportunities to work one on one with instructors; internship opportunities; and study abroad for a summer or semester in Florence. 

Across programs, students have access to courses such as Global Topics in Visual Communication; Design in Social Systems; Type as Image: The Design of Books; UX Research methods for Design; Applied Illustration; Letterpress Printing; Programming Design; image and Meaning; Multimedia Design: Time/Sound/Space; Content to Cover: The Design of Books; and Printing Propaganda: The Letterpress Poster. Courses for the BA and BFA Washington University in St. Louis are supplemented by seminars and readings. 

The BA program culminates with a final project. The BFA students will complete the BFA Capstone + Thesis Exhibition to graduate. Students in both programs will take Professional Practice Seminars highlighting portfolio development, CV creation, interviewing, public speaking, and developing job search skills. 

The BA and BFA programs at Washington University in St. Louis are accredited by the College Art Association of American (CAA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Graduates are prepared to pursue roles across all areas of design. Recent Sam Fox alumni have been hired at places such as Pixar, Walt Disney Imagineering, Google, IBM Design, The Atlantic , Nickelodeon, YouTube, Isaac Mizrahi, New York Magazine , Meta, Guggenheim Museum, Levi Strauss & Co., American Museum of Natural History, Pentagram, Princeton University Press, National Gallery of Art, and Gensler. 

Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis serves approximately 15,190 students enrolled in more than 300 academic programs across seven schools. The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts was founded in 2006 after the merging of Architecture and Art, and the WashU Museum. Washington University in St. Louis has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) houses the College of Fine and Applied Arts, home to the School of Art and Design. Within the school are two paths to study Graphic Design—the Graphic Design BFA program and the Art and Design MFA. The BFA is a 122 credit hour, interdisciplinary program that requires 37 credit hours in the major. Course examples include Introduction to Graphic Design; Advanced Interaction Design; Graphic Design Toolbox; Typographic Practice; Design Methods; Graphic Design Inquiry; Ethics of a Designer in the Global Economy; Type and Image; and Graphic Design Inquiry. 

All Graphic Design BFA students benefit from the programs lecture series; designated studio spaces; 44/7 access to computer labs and state-of-the-art production facilities; and the opportunity to join the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Student Chapter. This professional organization provides networking opportunities, workshops, and trips Chicago-based design studios. 

All Graphic Design BFA students also have the opportunity to take advantage of enrichment programming such as minors, internships, and 300+ study abroad programs in more than 50 countries. 

The Graphic Design BFA program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign culminates with the Senior Portfolio Review held in Chicago and the Graphic Design Capstone. This advanced studio is the student’s final preparation for practice in graphic design. Capstone projects may be presented at the Annual BFA Exhibition held at UIUC’s Krannert Art Museum.   

Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in advertising, user interface/user experience design (UI/UX), marketing, publications design, communications, multimedia design, and web design. Program alumni enjoy a 92% success rate (employed or pursuing an advanced degree). 

The Art and Design MFA at UIUC is a 64 credit hour program that provides several areas of concentration. Ideal options for design students include Design for Responsible Innovation (formerly Graphic Design) and Interdisciplinary Studio-New Media. Students in both areas will explore digital interaction, information design, visual narrative, data visualization, systems thinking, and responsible practices in print media. Course examples include Ethics of a Designer in the Global Economy; Design for Responsible Innovation Research Impact; and MFA Design for Responsible Innovation Studio. 

The Art and Design MFA program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign culminates with a written thesis and participation in the graduation exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of design. Program alumni can also pursue teaching or research positions or launch their own studios or freelance businesses. 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was established in 1867 as Illinois Industrial University. The second oldest public school in the state, UIUC serves more than 55,000 students from 50 U.S. states and 120+ countries. More than 250 programs are provided across 16 colleges and instructional units. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU) provides several paths to study Graphic Design. Houses in the college’s Department of Design is a Bachelor of Science in Design (BSD) in Visual Communication Design, and a Design Thinking Minor. The college’s Department of Art houses an interdisciplinary Visual Arts MFA. 

The Design Thinking Minor is a 15 credit hour program that covers the basics of design. Courses include Introduction to Design Practice, Design History, Exploring Design Thinking, Visualization as Thinking, and Presentation as Thinking. Students in all departments may add the Design Thinking Minor to their degree program. 

The Visual Communication Design BSD provides research opportunities; the chance to study with students from Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo, Brazil; portfolio development throughout the program; the opportunity to pursue the Arts Honor Program; and participation in Design Week in Milan, Italy. BSD students may also get involved with student organizations such as NOMA: Designers for Diversity; D3: Design Develop Deploy; and Design for 90. 

Course examples for the OSU BSD program include Design Media I-IV for Visual Communication Design; Typographic Design; Materials, Process, and Production for Visual Communication Design; Visual Principles and Techniques I-II; Advanced Collaborative Design; and Design History. 

Graduates of the Visual Communication Design BSD at OSU are prepared to pursue creative roles across industries. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Imagineering, McGraw-Hill Education, Microsoft, IBM, Publicis Sapient, Abercrombie & Fitch, Push Digital, WD Partners, Wildflower Press + Paper, Creative Spot, Sketch Blue, Ring, MKSK, Impact Communications, and Roto Group.  

The Visual Arts MFA at The Ohio State University is a three-year, 66 credit hour program that provides 24/7 access to private and semi-private studios, state-of-the-art facilities and exhibition spaces, and the Wexner Center for the Arts—a renowned contemporary art center located on the OSU campus. MFA students also benefit from access to the Fine Arts and Cartoon Libraries; the OSU-run Urban Arts Space located in downtown Columbus; and interactions with visiting artists, critics, and curators. 

Students in this full-time program may specialize in a variety of design disciplines through electives and other coursework. The OSU Visual Arts MFA program culminates with the MFA Thesis Exhibition held at the Urban Arts Space. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across all areas of design. 

The Ohio State University was established in 1870 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The school serves 64,405 students across six regional campuses including Columbus (main), Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and OSU’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. More than 200 majors, minors, and specializations are provided across 18 colleges and schools. The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The Graphic Design Department at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) provides a Graphic Design BFA and a minor; a Graphic and Web Design MA; an interdisciplinary MFA; and a User Experience (UX) Design certificate that can be completed entirely online. The 15 credit Graphic Design minor is a collaborative program that allows students to develop intermediate skills through required courses such as drawing and painting, and hands-on studio electives. 

Students in all MCAD Design programs benefit from critiques and collaborative projects; hands-on training through internships and client projects; and study abroad experiences in places such Italy, England, Japan, Ireland, and Germany. 

The 120 credit hour Graphic Design BFA at MCAD consists of 36 credit hours of core courses, 19 credits in foundation studios, 26 studio elective credits, and 39 credits in humanities and sciences. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Art and Design History 1-2; Publication Design; Graphic Design 1-3; Digital Production; Narrative Design; Web and Screen; Type Plus; Coding Concepts: Expressive Computation; Ideation and Process; Media Art Tools and Technique; Art and Globalization in the Atlantic World and Advanced Graphic Design Seminar. 

The MCAD Graphic Design BFA culminates with the Senior Project: Graphic Design course, worth six credit hours. 

The Graphic and Web Design MA at Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a 30 credit hour program that can be completed entirely online. The program explores design principles, typography, web design, programming, research, and workflow management. A major component of the program is the opportunity to work in teams to complete industry projects and solve problems. 

Course examples for the program include Design in Context; Experimental Interaction; Typography; Motion Design; Web Development; User Experience Design; and Design Studio. 

The Interdisciplinary MFA at Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a unique program that allows students to pursue creative work in one or more areas. Examples include graphic design, sound art, interactive media, animation, drawing and painting, book design, installation, comic arts, illustration, digital media, public arts, textiles and fiber arts, performance, social practice, and sculpture. 

Consisting of 60 credit hours, the program also emphasizes one-on-one work with a mentor (the​ ​core​ ​of​ ​the​ ​MCAD​ MFA​ ​curriculum); independent and collaborative studios; and participation in opportunities in the Twin Cities’ creative community including art centers, fundraisers, nonprofit organizations, and galleries. 

Graduates of the Design programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue titles such as Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Brand and Logo Designer, Editorial Illustrator, User-Experience (UX) Designer, Art Director, Production Artist, Front-End Developer, Exhibiting Artist, Web Designer, Arts Educator, and Arts Administrator. 

MCAD alumni can be found at design firms, advertising agencies, publishing companies, large corporations, museums, government agencies, small businesses, production studios, and start-ups. Some graduates have launched their own design studios or freelance businesses. 

Minneapolis College of Art and Design was established in 1886 by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The school serves approximately 800 students from 45 states and 15 countries. Programs include 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS, three MA degrees, one MFA degree, and seven professional development certificate options. 

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) houses the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts (CADA), home to the School of Design. Within the school is a Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Master of Design (MDes) in Graphic Design. The UIC School of Design also houses a studio-based, Design Studies BA for students who prefer an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes collaboration and hands-on projects. 

Course examples for the program include Color Theory; Typography I: Form; Digital Media Design; Integrative Design Studio I-II; Typography II: Systems; Design Research Methods; Integrative Design Studio I-III; Human Experience in Design; Design Drawing; Integrative Studio Project; and Design Colloquium. 

The Graphic Design BDes at UIC is a 132-unit program that requires 59 units in the major. The program begins with a Foundations Year, which consists of courses such as 2D Form Studio; Digital Media Design; Color Theory; 3D Form Studio; Design Drawing; Design Photography. In the Graphic Design major, students will complete courses such as Typography I-IV (Form, Systems, Expression, and Advanced Topics); Digital Media Design III: Motion Design; Digital Media Design III: Motion Design; Form and Image Studio; Digital Media IV: Advanced Topics; History of Design; and Information Aesthetics I-II. 

Electives for the program allow students to study video game design and development and additional areas outside of the School of Design.

In the final year of the Graphic Design BDes program at UIC, students will complete two Senior Design Colloquium courses and the Graphic Design Thesis I-II courses. 

The Graphic Design MDes at UIC is an intensive, collaborative program that takes two years to complete. A major component of is the study abroad experience. All Chicago-based students will participate in the Basel School of Design summer workshops, which take place at the FHNW HGK Basel Visual Communication Institute in Münchenstein, Switzerland. 

Course examples for the Graphic Design MDes program include Advanced Graphic Design I-II; Documentation Studio; Research Seminar I-II; Combined Studio; Design Seminar; and Research Studio. Students may also study additional areas of design or other areas through the required 16 hours of graduate-level electives. 

The culminating experience for the Graphic Design MDes program is the Master’s Research Project + Exhibition. Graduates of the BDes and MDes programs are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of design. Program alumni are Graphic Designers, Educators, Researchers, and more. System-wide, University of Illinois graduates are routinely hired at places such as Walt Disney, Amazon, Ford, Coca Cola, Microsoft, IBM, Target, State Farm, Walgreens, Nike, Pepsi, Chase, Apple, and Boeing. 

University of Illinois Chicago serves 34,000 students, making it the largest university in the Chicago area. With roots dating back to 1859, when the Chicago College of Pharmacy was founded, UIC provides more than 250 degree programs and 85 minors across 16 academic colleges. The University of Illinois Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The University of Kansas (KU) houses the School of Architecture and Design, home to the Department of Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Design Department has a Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design) BFA and a Book Arts certificate. 

All programs feature collaborations, lectures, and workshops led by industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art digital fabrication, bookmaking, print, and finishing labs; opportunities to complete a local and international internships; studios and photography facilities; and participation in the KU study abroad program. 

The Book Arts certificate programs require 12 credit hours. The undergraduate certificate includes 6-7 credit hours of electives. The graduate certificate includes 6-7 credit hours in studio, cultural, and historical electives. Students in both programs will take the following cornerstone courses: Letterpress and Bookmaking. Common electives include Book Arts; Digital Letterpress; and Special Problems in Design. 

Examples of other undergraduate electives include the Photobook; Publication and Editorial; and Fundamentals in Printmaking. Other graduate electives include Printmaking IV A (Intaglio); Writers Workshop; Advanced Special Topics in Printmaking: Papermaking or Japanese Woodblock; and Printmaking IV C (Serigraphy). 

The Visual Communication Design (VisCom) BFA at KU is a studio-based, research intensive program with no more than 20 students. Consisting of 120 credit hours, the program requires participation in the KU Design Professional Lecture Series, which features accomplished national and international designers. 

Course examples for the program include Elements of Type; Typographic Systems; Design Thinking and Research; Principles in Visual Communication; Branding; Fundamentals in UX Design; and Designing Social Interactions. In addition to adding the Book Arts certificate, students may enhance the degree through electives (16 credits). Elective examples include Emerging Technologies; Publication and Editorial; Motion Design; Dataviz and Digital Storytelling; Experiential Design; Digital Letterpress; Bookmaking; and Interaction Design.

In the junior year of the KU VisCom program, students will begin working on their final portfolios. In the final year of the program, students will complete two Professional Studies courses, Global Culture, Senior Problems, and the Final Capstone Project. 

Graduates of the Visual Communication Design and Book Arts programs are prepared to pursue positions in advertising and marketing, branding, publishing, book design, public relations, industrial design, package design, UI/UX design, exhibition design, multimedia, motion graphic design, web design, and environmental design.

Potential job titles include Graphic Designer, Multimedia Artist, Communications Manager, Exhibition Designer, Art Director, Advertising Commercial/Industrial Designer, Visual Designer, Public Relations Manager, Advertising Art Director, and Marketing Manager. 

University of Kansas welcomed its first class of 55 students on September 12, 1866. Classes began in an unfinished building on a hill known as Mount Oread. Today, KU is the state’s flagship institution, with nearly 30,000 students enrolled in more than 400 programs across five campuses and 13 schools. University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Michigan State University (MSU) houses the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), home to the Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD). Within the department is a Graphic Design program with BFA and minor options. The Graphic Design minor is open to students all bachelor’s degree students outside of the Studio Art program. Consisting of 15 credit hours, the program includes courses such as Digital Graphic Design: Tools and Methods; Concepts of Graphic Design; and Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs. 

The Graphic Design BFA at Michigan State University provides the opportunity for exceptional students to gain real-world experience by joining the Design Center creative team. Housed in the AAHD, the Design Center creates everything from logos and brochures to packaging and websites for local businesses in a real-world agency-like setting. 

Other program benefits include AIGA membership; the Annual Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series; and internship opportunities at a local or national company. All students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities labs and studios such as the Letterpress facility, four computer labs, and Kresge Art Center, which houses visual resource library, wood shop, Form From Thought digital fabrication lab, two exhibition galleries, and two installation project spaces. 

The Graphic Design BFA requires courses from the following areas: Two-Dimensional, Three-Dimensional, Photography, and Electronic Art and Intermediate. Course examples include Graphic Design I: Graphic Form; Experimental Design Practices; Digital Graphic Design: Tools and Methods; Cartographic Design and Production; Motion Design; Graphic Design II: Visual Communication; History of Graphic Design; Interaction Design; Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs; and Concepts of Graphic Design. 

Graduates of the MSU Graphic Design BFA program are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. They hold titles such as Graphic Designer, Communications Coordinator, User Experience Designer, Art Director, Media Manager, Web Designer, and Creative Producer. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Leo Burnett, Domino’s, General Motors, Quicken Loans, Shift Digital, Campbell Ewald, and TechSmith Corporation. 

For students seeking a graduate degree, Michigan State University has a Create Your Own Pathway MFA. Students may select courses from any area of interest to build a focus area. This includes Graphic Design. In addition to selected courses, MFA students will take studios and seminars such as Integration in Studio Art; Theory and Writing for Artists; History of Art; Exploration and Research in Studio Art; and Professional Practice. Students will also participate in five formal Graduate Critiques worth one credit each. 

Other program benefits include dedicated studios; opportunities for external study; individual studio visits with approximately 45 visiting artists throughout the degree; internships; and study abroad experiences. The MSU MFA is also 100% fully funded, meaning every student receives a full tuition waiver and generous stipend. 

In the final year of the Michigan State University MFA program, students will complete the final research project (thesis). Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. Program alumni are prepared to pursue leadership roles at major design studios and advertising agencies, non-profit organizations, retail giants, corporations (in-house design teams), museums, and academic institutions. 

Founded in 1855, Michigan State University is a land-grant, public research university serves 51,315 students enrolled in more than 400 academic programs across 17 degree-granting colleges. One of the largest and greenest campuses in the U.S., MSU houses more than 100 institutes and centers including the Institute of Global Health and the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) has multiple paths to study Graphic Design. This includes the traditional Graphic Design BFA; double majors in Graphic Design and Art History, and Graphic Design and Creative Writing; an Art History major with a Graphic Design Minor; and a Creative Writing major with a Graphic Design minor. 

All students will complete the first-year Foundation program along with courses and requirements such as Graphic Design Histories; Social  Innovation; Branding and Identity; Visual Inquiry; Information and Data Visualization; Type and Image; Self-Directed Inquiry; Interaction; Research and Process; and Professional Practices. 

Additional courses for the Graphic Design/Art History program Courses may include Contemporary Art; Global/Comparative Art; Modern Art; Baroque Art; and Art History Seminar. Students in the Graphic Design/Creative Writing program will complete 15 credit hours of literature courses and 12 credits in Creative Writing Workshop. Writing Seminar and Critical Studies I-II are also part of this program. 

Across programs, students benefit from interactions with visiting artists; faculty-led travel to places such as Peru, France, Thailand, Argentina, and Vietnam; and the opportunity to complete a professional internship in Missouri, the U.S. or abroad. 

The culminating experience for all programs is the final project and a professional portfolio of the student's best work. Graduates of the Design programs at Kansas City Art Institute have been hired to work in a variety of design roles at places such as Nickelodeon, Fossil, The Getty Museum, Pentagram, Hallmark, R/GA, Airbnb, Salesforce, VML, Radius, Hyperakt, Design Army, Populous, and Barkley. 

Kansas City Art Institute was established in 1885 as a Sketch Club. Situated just steps from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art within Kansas City’s arts corridor, this four-year art and design college serves more than 700 students enrolled in 13 studio majors across 15 program areas. Kansas City Art Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The College of Design at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (U of M Twin Cities) is a comprehensive design college with more than 40 programs. This includes a Graphic Design BFA program, and MA, MFA, MS, and PhD degrees with an optional Graphic Design track. Students in all programs will participate in workshops, advanced studios, individual and collaborative design projects, internships, and the study abroad program. 

Consisting of 120 credit hours the Graphic Design BFA at U of M Twin Cities explores both traditional and technological production techniques. Students will study areas such as typography, data visualization, digital drawing, color theory, hand-drawing, illustration, animation, web design, and photography through major coursework (80-89 credits) and electives. 

Course and elective examples for the program include Identity and Symbols; Typography; Packaging and Display; Product Innovation Lab; Interaction Design; Storytelling and Design; Data Visualization Studio; Digital Illustration and Animation; Design Process: Photography; Travels in Typography; Advanced Web Design; Concept Sketching; Text and Image; User Experience in Design; Design and Visual Presentation; Human Factors in Design; Product Innovation Lab; and  Advanced Graphic Design Print Projects. 

The Graphic Design BFA Program at University of Minnesota Twin Cities culminates with the Senior Thesis and Exhibition. This major event allows students to present their work to the faculty, peers, and the design community. Students will also graduate with a portfolio of their best work. 

The MA and MS programs with a Graphic Design track at University of Minnesota Twin Cities provides two plans: A and B. Plan A is thesis-focused and prepares students for the PhD Program. This pathway can be completed in 2-3 years full-time. Plan B is a project-based, two-year program designed for students seeking career advancement. Both plans are 34 credit hours and a both require a final oral examination. 

The U of M Twin Cities MFA/Graphic Design track consists of 60 credit hours completed over three years, full-time. Students will complete 40 credit hours in the major and 12 credits in the capstone. A final oral examination is required to graduate. Consisting of 64 credit hours completed over four years, full-time, the PhD is designed for students interested in research or teaching. Students in this program will take 28 credits in the major and 24 dissertation credits. 

Graduates of the Graphic Design programs at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Program alumni can be found at places such as graphic design studios, advertising agencies, museums, marketing firms, government agencies, public relations firms, web design companies, and production studios (entertainment). 

Program alumni hold titles such as Graphic Designer, Art Director, User Experience Designer, Data Visualization Strategist, Web Designer, Interactive Designer, and Creative Director, among others.  

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is the flagship institution of the University of Minnesota System and the state’s only land-grant university. Founded in 1851, U of M Twin Cities is also one of largest research universities in the nation and one of just five universities in the U.S. with agricultural, engineering, law, medical, and veterinary medicine schools—all on one campus. 

Around 20,000 faculty and staff at U of M Twin Cities serve approximately 50,000 students enrolled in more than 500 degree and minor programs. University of Minnesota Twin Cities has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913.

The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University is home to the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Dance, Art, and Performance. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the school houses the Department of art and Design, which has a Visual Communications Design (VCD) program leading to a BFA or MFA. 

The VCD BFA consists of 126 credit hours with 78 credits in the major. The program focuses on group and individual projects that focus on poster design, multimedia design, typography, packaging design, information design, and web design. Course examples for the program include, Visual Communication Design I-IV; Interactive Design Studies; Advertising Media Strategy; Fundamentals of Interactive Multimedia Design; Advanced Typography; Visual Communication Design Computing I-II; New Product Development; Advanced Poster Design; Physical Computing; Information Design; Advanced Web Design for Visual Communication Design; and Professional Practice for Visual Communication Design. 

All Purdue VCD students have the opportunity to complete the Art and Design Internship course. is Worth 1-8 credit hours, this experiential opportunity takes place at an art-and-design-related firm, department, or studio. 

Graduates of the VCD BFA program at Purdue University are prepared to pursue positions such as Graphic Designer, UX Designer, Brand Manager, Package Designer, Advertising Artist, Creative Director, Design Consultant, and Web Designer. 

The VCD MFA at Purdue University is an interdisciplinary program that explores information design, typography, critical theory, poster design, web communications, advanced color design, design methodology, research methods, and design history. The program also features an 18-21 credit hour first-year curriculum; immersive studios; interdisciplinary seminars; and elective coursework. 

During the final year of the VCD MFA at Purdue University, students will work on their MFA Thesis and Exhibition. This event includes a presentation and public gallery talk about the student's final project. 

Graduates of the Purdue University VCD MFA program are prepared to pursue advanced roles in art and design. Job titles include Brand Manager, Creative Director, Design Educator, Senior Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Consultant, Senior Packaging Designer, Web Designer, Art Director, Multimedia Designer, Design Researcher, and Educator. 

Established in 1869, Purdue University is a public research university that opened with six instructors and 39 students on September 16, 1874. Today, Purdue employs more than 10,000 full-time faculty members and employees that serve approximately 50,885 students from all 50 states and 130 countries. Purdue University offers more than 400 programs in 11 colleges and schools. Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Communication and Information at Kent State University (KSU or Kent State) houses the School of Visual Communication Design (VCD), which emphasizes cross-disciplinary study and mandatory internships at companies and design studios in place such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Cleveland. Many VCD internships are paid. 

All VCD students also benefit from international study experiences; intensive portfolio development; and access to the recently renovated spaces of Taylor Hall. This includes the Creative Lab, photography studios, lounges, a signature gallery, production studios, and classrooms. 

For students seeking a degree in graphic design, the School of VCD has BA, BFA, MA, and MFA options. All VCD programs allow students to add an emphasis in Visual Design (Graphic Design). Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the BA and BFA programs also require a minor or secondary area of study. Examples include Advertising; Management; Visual Journalism; Public Relations; Entrepreneurship for Non-Business Majors; Health Communication; and Marketing. 

Students in all undergraduate programs will complete the Kent State University Core. Consisting of 36-37 credit hours, the KSU Core covers six areas including Humanities and Fine Arts; Composition; Basic Sciences; Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; Social Sciences; and Additional Options. All undergraduate options explore package design, 2D and 3D forms, motion, interactive design, print, illustration and design, video, exhibition design, and environmental design. 

The VCD BA and BFA programs at KSU culminate with a final project, portfolio and exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue design careers across industries. Examples include advertising agencies, packaging companies, design consulting firms, branding agencies, PR firms, publishing companies, production studios (entertainment), media and communications companies, museums, and galleries. 

The graduate VCD program at Kent State is one of only three programs in the state of Ohio to offer a Visual Communication Design MA. The graduate program was also the first to offer the terminal degree in the field—the MFA. The MA is a 32 credit hour program that can be completed in just three semesters. Course examples include Advanced Graphic Design Advanced; Typographic Structures and Systems; User Experience Design Principles and Concepts; Design Research Methods; and Concept Development and Implementation. 

The VCD MA at Kent State University culminates with the MA Project in Graphic Design and Illustration and a portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as advertising, packaging, user experience (UX) design, corporate branding, digital media, entertainment, publishing, and social media. 

The Kent State VCD MFA is a 60 credit hour, five semester program that combines research, theory, and design coursework with hands-on teaching experiences at the freshman and sophomore level. Course examples for the program include Graduate Studio in VCD; Typography II; College Teaching in VCD; Graphic Narrative; Critical Practices in Design Research; Integrated Brand Design; Editorial Illustration; Typeface Design; Identity Systems; Information Design; Experimental Typography; Advertising Illustration; Brand Experiences; Responsive Web Design; and Glyphix Research Laboratory. 

The VCD MFA program at KSU culminates with the MFA Thesis course, worth six credits. During the course of this final project, students will work with their thesis advisor to produce a body work demonstrating skill as a professional designer, illustrator, or researcher. 

Graduates of the MFA VCD program are prepared to pursue leadership roles in design, design education, and design research. With an 89% employment (or continuing education) rate, Kent State graduates can be found at places such as NASA, Express, ESPN, Tesla, Cleveland Clinic, Delta Air Lines, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.   

Established in 1910 as a teacher training school, Kent State University comprises an eight-campus system that serves approximately 33,000 students from across the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Students at Kent State have access to more than 300 programs housed across 40+ colleges, departments, and schools. Kent State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) has a Communication Design (CD) program that explores graphic design, interactive media, and advertising. Leading to a BFA, this 120 credit hour program requires all students to complete the First-year Experience (FYE), which includes courses such as Systems of Drawing; Visual Language; Digital 2D; Process of Inquiry; Digital 4D; and Fabrication. 

Students will complete 78 studio credits, including courses such as Communication Design I-IV; Advertising Design; Computer Studio I-III; Information Graphics; Packaging Design; History of Illustration and Communication Design Since 1850; Identity Design; Patterns in Nature; Critical and Creative forms; Information Design and Research Methods; Advanced Computer Studio; and The Creative Professional in Context. 

For students interested in enhancing the degree, MIAD provides a number of minor options. Examples include Advertising; Digital Media Production; Book Arts; Copywriting; Arts Management; Business; Art History; Writing; Soft goods; and Sustainability. 

The Communication Design BFA program at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design culminates with a thesis (two courses, six credit hours) and the Professional Portfolio/Practice course, worth three credits. Graduates are prepared to pursue design roles across industries, pursue graduate study, or launch their own creative agencies and design studios. 

Program alumni are Graphic Designers, Illustrators, Book Designers, Art Directors, Package Designers, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Designers, Advertising Designers, Publication Designers, Brand Managers; and Web Designers. 

Companies that have hired MIAD graduates in interns include Google, Nike, GE Healthcare, Land’s End, General Motors, Delta Faucet, Harley-Davidson, High Sierra, Ford Motor Company, Kohler Company, Hanson Dodge Creative, Milwaukee Tool, Fiskars, PIVOT Cycles, Trek, and Generac. 

Founded in 1974, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design serves 900 degree-seeking students, 600 pre-college students, and 250 outreach/special programs students. For degree-seeking students, MIAD provides seven degree programs, five studio minors, and nine liberal studies minors. The school’s affiliation with Marquette University provides access to additional courses in Humanities and Sciences, and other resources. 

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)—a consortium of 39 leading art schools in the United States and Canada. The school is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) has a Communication Design BFA (CD BFA) that features an interdisciplinary curriculum that covers coding, video capture, audio, photography, and interaction, motion, and graphic design. This STEM-designated program also allows students to add the Business concentration or a minor in Product Design; Illustration; Advertising Design: Digital; Entertainment Arts; or Creative Entrepreneurship. 

Students in the CD BFA program at CCA will complete 84 credits in studio; 42 to 43 credits in liberal arts; and projects that allow students to develop advanced skills in creating books, movie title sequences, packaging, way-finding systems, exhibition spaces, websites, magazines, brand identities, mobile apps, and user experiences. 

Other program features include access to state-of-the-art studios, labs, and production facilities; internships at places such as Foote Cone & Belding, Reebok, Microsoft, Urban Outfitters, Chrysler, Whirlpool, Quicksilver, and FUSE; and semester- or year-long study abroad programs Paris, Germany, Australia, Mexico, and Austria. 

The Communication Design BFA program at College for Creative Studies culminates with a design project and the completion of a professional portfolio. With one of the highest employment rates in the country, graduates work in industries such as advertising, industrial design, publishing, public relations, retail, marketing, entertainment, manufacturing, museums, government, and education.

College for Creative Studies alumni have been hired at companies and creative agencies such as IDEO, Wieden + Kennedy, Razorfish, Google, Adidas, Microsoft, General Motors, Apple, Meta, Adobe, Nike, Rivian, Ford Motor Co., Mercedes Benz, Whirlpool, Converse, Nokia, Buzzfeed, eBay, Carhartt, Lego, Moosejaw, and Herman Miller.

Some CCS alumni have gone on to launch their own design studios in places such as Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, and The Netherlands.

Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, College for Creative Studies is a private, nonprofit institution that serves approximately 1,495 students. The school provides more than 50 art and design programs leading to a degree, minor, or certificate. College for Creative Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The Department of Art at University of Wisconsin – Madison (UW Madison) dates back to 1910 when the UW Engineering Department in the College of Letters and Science launched a Manual Arts program. Today, as a division of UW – Madison’s School of Education, the Department of Art provides BS, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in Studio Art; a BS in Education; and undergraduate certificates in Art Studio and Graphic Design. The BS and BFA programs allow students to enroll in the Graphic Design option. 

The 18 credit hour certificate introduces students to the field of graphic design. Course examples include 2D Design; Introduction to Digital Forms; Basic Graphic Design; Typography; History of Graphic Design; and Information Graphics. Students in this program come from all majors and backgrounds. 

The UW Madison BFA requires 72 credits hours of studio courses and 18 in aesthetics, while the BS requires 45 studio credits and 13 in aesthetics courses. Most majors complete their required foundation courses through the Art and Artists First-Year Interest Group (FIG). This learning community is designed specifically for first-year UW-Madison students. Benefits include small class sizes of no more than 20 students; interdisciplinary learning; instructors who are dedicated to serving first year students; and a close-knit environment that encourages collaboration, support networks, and creative confidence. 

First-year students may also enroll in the Art Foundations Program—a series of lecture and studio courses that explore drawing, digital media, 2D and 3D design, and art history. Course examples across both options include Foundations of Contemporary Art; Two-Dimensional Design; History of Graphic Design and Typography; Foundations of Contemporary Art; Global Arts; Introduction to Digital Forms; Current Directions in Art; Three-Dimensional Design; and Drawing Methods and Concepts. 

Students in the Graphic Design option can expect to take courses such as Digital Art and Code; 3D Digital Studio; User Experience and Graphic Design; Typeface Design; Motion Typography; Design for Posters, Installation and Environments; Information Graphics; Relief Printmaking; Graphic Design for Branding and Identity; Colloquium in Art; Graphic Design for Packaging; Product Development for Graphic Design; Graphic Design for Games; Digital Art and Code; Lithography; and Graphic Design for Publications. 

In the final year of the Studio Art BFA and BS programs (with a Graphic Design option) students will complete the Graphic Design Practicum, and the Design Portfolio and Professional Practice course. The program culminates with the Senior Graphic Design Thesis and Exhibition course. 

Graduates of the Studio Art programs at University of Wisconsin-Madison are prepared to pursue design careers across industries. Examples include advertising, marketing, publishing, multimedia design, animation and film, publication design, user experience design, public relations, exhibit design, interactive design, and photography. 

Founded in 1848, University of Wisconsin–Madison serves approximately 48,560 students enrolled in more than 450 programs across 13 colleges and schools. University of Wisconsin–Madison has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913. All programs in the UW Madison Department of Art are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) is home to the School of Fine and Performing Arts, which has a Graphic Design program with BA, second BA, and BFA options. A 21 credit our Graphic Design minor is also available. This program can be added to any creative degree and explores graphic design, typography, web design and visual culture. 

The second BA degree program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another area. Students in the traditional BA program may choose a concentration and a minor or double major. Concentration options include Publication Design and Web Design. Majors that complement the BA program include Illustration, Advertising, Social Media and Digital Strategy, Arts Management, Communication, Public Relations, Computer Animation, Marketing, Interaction Design, and Immersive Media. Minors that complement the BA Program include Creative Advertising, Motion Graphics, User Experience, Design Management, Photography, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. 

The Graphic Design BFA program at Columbia College Chicago allows students to study in multiple areas of art and design. Course examples for the program include Graphic Design I-V (including topics such as Semiotics and Form, Branded Environments, and Visual Identity and Narrative); Design Thinking; History of Communication Design; Publication Design; Letterpress Studio; Motion Graphics; Design Lab; Experimental Typography for Graphic Design; Photo Communication; Website Design; and Business of Design. 

Both the BA and BFA programs begin with foundations courses. All students will develop advanced skills in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Student also have opportunities to complete an internship. Examples of past placements include Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB), Leo Burnett, 50000feet Creative Agency, Pivot Design, Cards Against Humanity, and Pressley Johnson Design. 

The Graphic Design BA and BFA programs at Columbia College Chicago culminate with a final project and professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Graduates go on to become Graphic Designers at advertising agencies, design studios, publishing companies, nonprofits, and start-ups, among others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as include Leo Burnett, Fjord (part of Accenture Interactive), Modern Luxury, Google, One Design Company, Time Zone One, and Cards Against Humanity. 

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia provides several business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Arts and Sciences at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) was founded as the College of Liberal Arts in 1929. With 20+ departments and four schools providing more than 100 areas of study, 25 master’s degree programs, and 12 doctoral options, the College of Arts and Sciences is BGSU’s largest college. Within the college is also one of the largest and oldest state art schools in Ohio—the BGSU School of Art. 

Established more than 75 years ago and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1984, the BGSU School of Art houses five divisions including Graphic Design; Art History; Studio; Digital Arts; and Art Education. Across divisions, students have opportunities to complete an internship at places such as Pixar, American Greetings, PBS, Disney, and Procter & Gamble; and study abroad in places such as France, Italy, China, and Japan. 

Students in all divisions also have access to the BGSU Graphic Design facilities. Housed in the Fine Arts Center and Wolfe Center for the Arts, facilities include: the CAVE (Center for Advanced Visualization and Education) Lab; 20 state-of-the-art workstations equipped with the Adobe Creative Cloud and the Adobe Typeface Library; and an additional lab with access to the collaborative space—the Digital Arts Classroom. 

The Graphic Design Division in the School of Art has two paths to study graphic design: the Graphic Design BFA and the Integrative Design MDes. 

The MDes is a low-residency, hybrid program that requires just three campus visits each semester and a one-week visit during the summer. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MDes has flexible two-year, three-year, and four-year options. All students will have opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary activities with corporate and non-profit partners in Ohio and across the U.S. 

Students in this terminal degree program will complete courses, seminars, and studios such as Graphic Design History + Integrative Models; Collaborative Design Studio I and II: Design for Social Impact; Design Studio III and IV: Integrative Strategies, Theory and Implementation; and Design Research and Methods. 

MDes students may focus in an area or interest through elective such as Special Audience Research; Topics in Digital Arts; Perspectives in Visual Arts Education; Techniques in Demographic Analysis; Collaborative Multimedia Development; and Exhibit Project and Oral Defense. This capstone course leads to a public exhibition and review. 

The Graphic Design BFA at Bowling Green State University is a 120 credit hour program that consists of art foundations, the graphic design studio core, studio area, art history, and other support courses. Examples include Media Studio: Space and Time; Survey of world Art; Information Design; Typography; User Experience/User Interface Design; Drawing Studio: Perception, Practice, Process; Systems-Based Graphic Design; Three Dimensional Graphic Design; Time Based Graphic Design; Graphic Design History and Integrative Models; Design for Social Impact; and Western Art. 

Students in this professional degree program will also complete the Graphic Design Studio Capstone across four courses including Graphic Design Senior Thesis (three courses) and Senior Studio in Graphic Design. Student's final projects will be presented at the end-of-semester Senior Graphic Design Portfolio Show.

Graduates of the Design and Graphic Design programs at Bowling Green State University are prepared to pursue creative roles in industries such as advertising, marketing, publishing, consulting, web design, media, technology, manufacturing, food and beverage, education, insurance, government, healthcare, finance, IT, telecommunications, military, and ecommerce. MDes graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in these industries and many others. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Nike, United Health Group, F+W Media, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hobby Lobby, American Greetings, J. Crew, Progressive, Uber, Cleveland Institute of Art, Owens Corning, Toledo Museum of Art, Cooper-Smith Advertising, JP Morgan Chase, Landor Associates, Noir Marketing + PR, Root Inc., 10 Red Design, and Toledo Museum of Art. 

Bowling Green State University was established in 1910 as a teacher-training institution. Today, the school provides more than 200 programs to a population of 19,600 students. Programs at BGSU are housed across six academic colleges and two campuses. Bowling Green State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design (SOAAD) at Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) provides more than 30 degrees across 14 areas in art, architecture, design, and merchandising. Part of the College of Arts and Sciences, SOAAD also houses the McKinney Visiting Artist Series, which features workshops, critiques, lectures and gallery talks led by some of the nation’s most notable working artists.

Among the programs in the Eskenazi School are three options for graphic designers including the Studio Art BA, BFA, and MFA. Students in all programs may concentrate in Graphic Design. In addition to the McKinney Series, program benefits include interdisciplinary collaborations and cross-disciplinary workshops; internship opportunities at places such as Universal Studios, Amazon, Macy’s, and Urban Outfitters; and study abroad experiences in places such as Italy, Florence, and Japan. 

To gain work experience, all SOAAD students have opportunities to work with independent artists through the apprenticeship program, departments on campus, or at local businesses. Across programs, graphic design students will also work and in state-of-the-art facilities such as The Letterpress Studio; Student Technology Centers (STCs) equipped with Mac and PC workstations outfitted with Adobe Creative Cloud software; and Digital Printing Labs. 

Part of IU Bloomington Eskenazi School since the 1960s and housed in the Fine Arts Building, The Letterpress Studio is equipped with Vandercook presses, wood and metal fonts, an Anderson Vreeland Orbital X Platemaker, a bookbinding press, a guillotine paper cutter, and a foil stamper. BFA and MFA students have access to individual workspaces, with separate shared studio spaces. 

BA, BFA, and MFA Studio Art students in the Graphic Design concentration will explore imagery, systems, typography, and grids while creating posters, packaging, apps, logos, and other digital media. Course examples across undergraduate programs include Introduction to Art, Design, and Merchandising; Typography; Creative Core: 3D Design; Art History I-III; Printmaking Advanced Studio; Digital Art Survey and Practice; Interactive Multimedia; Computer Graphical Environments; and Visual Studies.  

MFA students will take courses such as Graduate Graphic Design; Graphic Design Problem Solving; Graphic Design Seminar; Graduate Topics in Graphic Design; and Graphic Design Advanced Studio Projects. 

The Studio Art BA program at Indiana University Bloomington culminates with a final portfolio of the students best work. The BFA program culminates with the BFA Thesis Exhibition in Grunwald Gallery of Art at IU Bloomington. During the final semester of the Studio Art MFA program, students will complete a thesis to be displayed in the Grunwald Gallery. The MFA Thesis Exhibition opens with a reception that allows students to present a summary of their work to the public. 

Graduates of the Studio Art: Graphic Design programs at Indiana University Bloomington are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Recent graduates have gone on to become Graphic Designers, Marketing Specialists, Product Designers, UX Designers, Social Media Coordinators, Digital Production Artists, Illustrators, Gallery and Museum Assistants, freelance artists, and business owners.

Program alumni hold these titles and others at places such as The E.W. Scripps Company, PwC, International Center of Photography; Interbrand, MediaFuel, Phillips Collection, Eight Wonder Studio, Colliers International, Paragon Force, LGE Design Build, Wild Spirit Designs, and Whalar, Inc. 

Indiana University Bloomington is the flagship campus of Indiana University’s seven campus system, which serves approximately 90,100 degree-seeking students enrolled in more than 980 academic programs. Serving 47,005 students, IU Bloomington is the largest school in the system and one of the largest universities in the Midwest. Established in 1820, the school provides more than 550 academic programs across 16 degree-granting colleges and schools. Indiana University Bloomington is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Arts and Letters at University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) houses the Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD). This multidisciplinary department us home to the Division of Design, which provides BA, BFA, and MFA degrees in Design. A Collaborative Innovation minor is available for students who would like to major in another area. 

This option consists of a five-course sequence that begins with the lecture-based course Design Matters. Students will then select the remaining four courses from three areas including Inspiration - research, discovery, reframing; Ideation – design, brainstorming; and Implementation – prototyping, delivery. Course examples include Introduction to Visual Communication Design; Design Research: From Insight to Innovation; Community-Based Design; Digital Modeling: 3D Form and Fabrication; and Interaction Design. 

The Capstone for the program—Service Design: Strategies for Social Systems—requires students to work in interdisciplinary teams on industry-sponsored design briefs from innovation to implementation. 

The Design BA at University of Notre Dame is a liberal arts degree with traditional and professional tracks. The traditional track consists of 12 courses/36 hours with a three-course core during the first year and a capstone project in the final year of the program. The professional track consists of 16 courses/38 hours, with a focus on portfolio development. The professional portfolio is the culminating experience for this program. 

The Design BFA is a 22 course (66 hours) program that begins with a three-course studio core: Design Matters; 2-D Foundations; and Rapid Ideation & Visualization (or Drawing I). The culminating experience for this program is the Thesis and Exhibit held at the AAHD Gallery. 

The MFA is a three-year terminal degree that provides full scholarships and an annual stipend for all students. Course examples include VCOM and ID Seminar; Painting/Printmaking Seminar; and Thesis Direction. The Master’s Thesis will be installed in the Snite Museum for review and approval. 

Students the Design BA, BFA, and MFA programs at Notre Dame may concentrate in Visual Communication Design (VCD). This allows students to explore user-centered design (UCD), packaging design, digital modeling and visualization, cultural divergence, product automation, UX/UI, scale-graphics, social innovations, data visualization, social design, and healthcare. Course examples for the BA and BFA programs include Typography; Brand and Identity Systems; UI/UX Design; Motion Design; Packaging Design; Sustainability of Designed Objects; Digital Modeling; and Visual Communication Design Studio. 

To further enhance all program curriculums, the Division of Design at Notre Dame allows students to collaborate with faculty and peers in other departments and colleges. Examples include the Colleges of Engineering or Science; the IDEA Center at Innovation Park; the School of Architecture; Mendoza Business School, and Keough School for Global Affairs. 

Other program features include local and campus-based projects; study abroad opportunities in places such as India, Haiti, South Africa, and Nepal; and summer internships with local companies, organizations, and designs studios.  

Graduates of the Design programs at University of Notre Dame are prepared to pursue roles across industries. MFA graduates are also prepared to pursue teaching, research, consulting, and other leadership roles. 

Within six months of graduating, 97% of Notre Dame Arts and Letters graduates are employed full-time, enrolled in graduate school, participating in service programs, in the military, or working on independent projects. Notre Dame Department of AAHD graduates have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Microsoft, HarperCollins, DreamWorks Animation, Ogilvy & Mather, Digitas, Whirlpool, LinkedIn, Accenture, Southwest Airlines, Booz Allen Hamilton, Giorgio Armani, Morningstar, IBM, The Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Inquirer, Deloitte, 2K Games, Bain & Company, and JPMorganChase. 

Formerly a men’s university, University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 and chartered by the State of Indiana in 1844. This private, Catholic college became coeducational in 1972. Notre Dame serves approximately 13,175 students enrolled in 75 undergraduate majors and more than 20 graduate programs across eight colleges and schools. University of Notre Dame is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Design at Iowa State University (Iowa State) is home to the College of Design. Serving around 2,000 students, the college provides dozens of majors, minors, and certificate programs across seven departments. The Department of Graphic Design (GD) provides BFA, MA, and MFA programs. The BFA is the only public Graphic Design BFA in the state of Iowa. 

In partnership with the Iowa State Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC), the GD Department also provides a unique dual degree program in graphic design and human-computer-interaction—the GD MFA/HCI MS. All programs in the Graphic Design Department are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Other department features include graphic design practicums that provide real-world experience with clients such as the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity; internship opportunities with more than 125 companies, studios, and design firms; and study abroad experiences through the College of Design’s flagship international program, with studio facilities at Palazzo Cenci-Bolognetti—the historic center of Rome. Students also have opportunities to participate in faculty-led short-term abroad experiences in places such as Paris, Italy, France, the UK, Ghana, Sweden, Uganda, and Greece. 

The Graphic Design BFA at Iowa State University begins with the College of Design’s 31 credit hour Core Design Program (CDP). For one year, students will have opportunity to experiment with interdisciplinary work, collaborate in teams, and develop critical thinking skills. CDP course examples include Design Studio I; Critical Thinking and Communication; Design in Context; Digital Design Literacy; Drawing I; and Design Collaborative Seminar. 

Upon successful completion of the CDP, students will enter the professional three-year BFA program and begin taking courses and studios that explore both traditional and new graphic design media. Course examples include Graphic Design Studio I-V; Introduction to Web Programming; Typography I-II; International Perspectives; Graphic Design History; Design Ethics; Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition; History of Art I-II; and Graphic Materials and Processes. 

Throughout the BFA program, students will have the opportunity to travel to design centers across the U.S.; interact with visiting artists and lecturers; develop a market-ready portfolio of individual and group design projects; and attend the annual Design Career Fair. This “design majors only” event attracts more than 125 firms recruiting for jobs and internships. Iowa State College of Design alumni account for more than half of the recruiters in attendance. 

The Graphic Design BFA program at Iowa State culminates with the Graphic Design Capstone course. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in advertising, magazine design, digital art, book design, packaging design, animated products design, web design, film and television, exhibition design, interactive media design, and newspaper design.  

The MA in Experiential Graphic Design (MAxGD) requires 30 credit hours of study. The program is designed for students with little or no experience in graphic design. The MAxGD explores areas such as information design, wayfinding, interaction, placemaking, and exhibition design. Course examples include Graphic Design Theory; User Engagement; Graphic Design Graduate Studio I-II; Critical Media; Graphic Design for Behavioral Change; Studio: Exhibition Design; Audience and Perception; Studio: Wayfinding; and Design and Cultural Semiotics.

The ISU Graphic Design MFA is a terminal degree that requires a minimum of 60 credits to graduate. Students in the program may choose an elective focus area outside of graphic design to enhance the degree. Course examples for the program include Graphic Design for Behavioral Change; Critical Media; Introduction to Research Design; User Engagement; Graphic Design Theory; Audience and Perception; Design and Culture Semiotics; and Graphic Design Graduate Studio I-II. 

MFA students will work closely with faculty to complete the MFA Graduate Thesis. This culminating experience takes place over three studios including Thesis Preparation Studio and Graphic Design Graduate Studio I-II. 

The dual GD MFA/HCI MS is an interdisciplinary program allows students to study HCI, graphic design, game-based learning, virtual reality, and other disciplines. Course examples in addition to courses and the culminating experience for the MFA program, MFA/MS students will take HCI courses such as Visual Design for HCI; Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling; Human Factors in Product Design; Introduction to Research Design; Python Application Development in HCI; and Evaluating Digital Learning Environments. Graduates of the MAxGD, MFA, and MFA/MS programs at Iowa State University are prepared to pursue advanced design, teaching, research, and consulting roles across industries.

For graduates receiving degrees from August 2020 to May 2021, 100% were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation. 

Founded in 1858, Iowa State University is the nation’s first designated land-grant institution. The school serves approximately 30,180 students enrolled in more than 300 undergraduate majors and fields of study leading to a graduate or professional degree. The academic programs at Iowa State are housed across eight colleges, two schools, and 150 academic departments. Iowa State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Fine Arts at Ball State University (BSU) houses the School of Art. Within the school is a Graphic Design major leading to a BFA or BS. Program features include small class sizes; a collaborative studio environment led by instructors who are professionals in the field; opportunities to gain experience through the student design firm Studio 165+, which attracts regional, national, and international clients; and portfolio development. 

The Ball State Graphic Design major leading to a BFA requires 84 credit hours. This includes 24 credits in studio art, 33 credit hours in graphic design, 21 credits in electives, and three credits in CFA SOAR. For the remaining three credits, students may choose one of the following: School of Art Internship, the Design Practicum, or Collaborative Design Studio. 

The program explores user interface and user experience design (UI/UX), branding, digital design, motion graphics, publication design, typography, illustration, packaging design, wayfinding systems, app design, and web design. Course examples include Drawing Studio; Graphic Design I-II; 3D Foundations Studio; Motion Graphics for Graphic Design; History of Graphic Design; Advanced Practices 1-2; Web Design; 4D Foundations Studio; Special Topics; and Research and Professional Practices in Design. 

The Ball State Graphic Design major leading to a BS requires 48 credit hours. Course examples include Graphic Design I-II; Cross Media Communications; Packaging Technology; Web Design; Screen and Specialty Graphics; Advanced Practices 2; Impact Printing Processes; and Art History: Global Traditions. Students will also take career development courses such as Transition to the Profession: Careers In, Around, and Beyond the Arts; and Creating Your Career: Essential Skills and the Arts. 

The Ball State Graphic Design BFA and BS programs culminate with the Senior Project and Portfolio course. Graduates of are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. As part of Ball State University, program alumni enjoy a 90% job placement rate. Potential job titles include Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer, Communications Manager, Advertising Designer, Video Editor, Book Designer, Creative Director, Packaging Designer, Illustrator, Exhibit Designer, Brand Manager, and Web Designer. 

Program alumni have worked at places such as Google, Walt Disney World, NASA, Herron School of Art + Design, the Seattle Seahawks, UPS, the Star Tribune, Bradley and Montgomery, VMware, LPK, Hirons Advertising, High Alpha Studio, Optum, Hook Studios, and The Ohio State University.

Founded in 1918 as the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division, Ball State University serves approximately 20,440 students enrolled in 113 majors and 12 preprofessional options across seven academic colleges. The school also houses 357 student organizations and more than 150 study abroad programs. Ball State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) provides 20 programs leading to a BA, BAE, BFA, MA, MDes, MFA, MS, or PhD. For students seeking careers in graphic design, the school has a Visual Communication Design (VCD) BFA program and a Communication Design MDes. The graduate program replaces the MFA in Communication Design. 

The VCD BFA program focuses on team projects and design research. All students in this multidisciplinary professional degree program will begin with the Foundation Studies year. This required component explores basic principles, materials, and techniques of 2-D and 3-D design, time-based media, visual culture, drawing, digital technology, color theory, and fabrication. During the first year, students will also have the opportunity to work with faculty, visiting artists, and designers to develop creative thinking and making skills. 

Course examples for the VCD BFA include Foundations of Graphic Design; Building and Making; Brand Identity Design; Drawing I-II; Studio Art and Technology; History of Visual Communication; Typography I-III; Design, Media, and Culture; Designing in Context; History of Art I-II; Information Design; and Kinetic Design. 

In addition to in-demand courses, VCD BFA students have access to minor options such as Studio Art and Technology, Book Arts, and Art History. Other program features include required professional practice internships with local and national businesses; access to eight VCD design studios, plus research and studio spaces including the Think It Make It Lab, book arts studio, woodshops, the Herron Art Library, and photo lighting studios; and dedicated workstations in a shared studio for juniors and seniors. 

The VCD BFA program at Indiana University Indianapolis culminates with the Capstone in Visual Communication Design course worth six credits. Final projects will be presented at the VCD Senior Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Graphic Designer, Interactive Designer, Book Designer, Art Director, Mobile App Designer, User Experience Designer, Package Designer, Motion Graphics Animator, Exhibit Designer, Typeface Designer, Broadcast Designer, and Brand Strategist. 

The Herron Communication Design MDes at IU Indianapolis is a 30 credit hour program that focuses on interdisciplinary teamwork on projects that explore product, environment, and service design. Throughout the program, students will attend seminars; take design method classes in ideating and prototyping; and engage in experimentation labs through the Collaborative Action Research in Design courses. Other course examples include Introduction to Design Research; Integrative Systems; Design Leadership; Design Thinking and Sensemaking; Design Facilitation; Design Methods for Framing Problems; and Design Management. 

In the final year of the Communication Design MDes, students will complete and present a thesis across five courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles with businesses, institutions, organizations, and communities. Possible job titles include Senior Graphic Designer, Human-Centered Design Strategist, Design Thinking Specialist, Innovation Manager, Customer Experience Specialist, Design Manager, Innovation Consultant, Art Director, and Design Research Manager. 

Indiana University Indianapolis launched as an independent campus on July 1, 2024 after a decades-long partnership with Purdue University. The school serves more than 25,000 students, including more than 8,400 graduate and professional students. Programs include 375+ degrees and certificates housed across 16 colleges and schools. Indiana University Indianapolis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) has a Graphic Design (GDS) major that explores both traditional an demerging methods of graphic methods. Studies will include production; event and exhibition design; motion graphics; editorial and publication design; print; interaction design; advertising design; and marketing design. Students will have opportunities to discover other areas of design through mandatory collaborations with peers from Industrial Design and Interior Architecture. 

Other program benefits include opportunities to work on real-world projects with CIA partners, clients, and businesses in the community; access to a professional-level studio equipped with printing equipment, wireless internet, and a full construction area; a state-of-the-art computer lab, digital print output center, and presentation spaces; and internship and study abroad opportunities. 

Leading to a BFA, the Graphic Design program also features courses such as Graphics for Design; Typography I-II; Hand Made Book; Design for Communication I-II; Contemporary Marketing + Art Direction; Web Design/Interactive I-II; Professional Practices: Industry; User Experience/User Interface Design; Package Design; Graphic Design: Advanced Studio; Publication Design; Professional Practices: Entrepreneurial Ventures; and Professional Practices: Studio to Gallery. 

The Graphic Design program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the Graphic Design BFA Thesis and Graphic Design: BFA Statement + Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of graphic design. Potential job titles include Senior Graphic Designer, Advertising Designer, Book Designer, Motion Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Packaging Designer, Digital Designer, Visual Designer, Production Artist, UX Designer, Web Designer, Brand Strategist, and Interaction Designer.

Cleveland Institute of Art was chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. This independent, not-for-profit college enrolls approximately 600 students served by 50 full-time and 60 adjunct faculty who are all professional artists and designers. CIA provides 13 design, entertainment arts, crafts, and fine arts majors across several departments. Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) has a Graphic Design program with two pathways: the BFA and a 15 credit hour minor. Consisting of 120 credit hours, the Graphic Design BFA begins with the First-Year Experience (FYE). This foundation year introduces students to the digital tools they will need throughout the program. Students will also spend time collaborating with peers on projects and problem-solving; taking liberal arts courses; and developing critical thinking and communication skills.

FYE course examples include 2D Creative Practices; 3D Making with Care; Systems of Drawing; What Drawing Can Do; and Collaboration. 

Upon successful completion of the FYE, BFA students will have opportunities to work on projects with local companies such as Airstream and Red, White & BOOM!; participate in the co-op program; engage with visiting artists; attend workshops and seminars; complete an internship; and participate in the American Advertising Federation sponsored event The Pitch , and the CCAD-based AdGraph Collective. 

All BFA students will also have access to state-of-the-art equipment, labs, and studios such as computer workstations with dual monitors equipped with industry-standard software; the Tad Jeffrey FabLab; the Video and Photography Studio; open-access computer labs; Image scanners and Wi-Fi enabled printers; and the CCAD Print Lab. 

Course examples for the CCAD Graphic Design program include Introduction to Graphic Design; History of Design & Applied Arts; The Craft of Copywriting; Graphic Design and Production; Design Concepts I-II; Advanced Branding Concepts; Integrated Design Implementation; Advanced Typographic Communication; Content Marketing Strategy; Interactive Design; and Digital Design Lab. 

To enhance and customize the degree, BFA students may add a minor or two. Examples include Animation 2D; Illustration; Product Design; Animation 3D; Design Research; Comics and Narrative Practice; Film and Video; Copywriting; Interior Architecture and Design; Art History; and Business. 

The Graphic Design BFA program at CCAD culminates with the Professional Practice in Graphic Design and Experiential Learning Capstone Design courses. Graduates are prepared to take on roles such as Graphic Designer, Art Director, Digital Designer, Brand Manager, Environmental Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Web Designer, Marketing Strategist, Production Designer, and Design Consultant. 

CCAD BFA graduates have been hired at places such as Leo Burnett worldwide, BBDO Worldwide, Arc Worldwide/Leo Burnett, Ogilvy & Mather, Young & Rubicam, American Greetings, Saatchi & Saatchi, IBM iX, E. & J. Gallo Winery, A&E Networks, Apple, Interbrand, and JPMorganChase. 

Columbus College of Art & Design was established in 1879 by five women. Back then, the school was known as Columbus Art School. Today, this independent, nonprofit art and design school serves approximately 1,010 students enrolled in more than 30 programs across 10+ departments. Columbus College of Art & Design is accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). CCAD is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).