Design shapes everything you see, use, and interact with — and the designers who do it well are in high demand. GCU's B.A. in Graphic Design gives you the creative foundation, technical fluency, and professional portfolio to launch a career in visual communication, branding, web and interactive design, or motion graphics — with small studio classes, a required internship, and no portfolio required for admission.
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Many graphic design programs require a portfolio just to apply, which shuts the door on talented students who simply haven't had the opportunity to build one yet. GCU doesn't do that. We believe in access and opportunity — so admission to the Graphic Design program is open to students from all backgrounds and experience levels. You'll build your portfolio here, with us, through hands-on studio courses from day one.
GCU's 54-credit Graphic Design major doesn't just teach you how to make things look good — it teaches you how design thinks, communicates, and solves problems. You'll develop skills across print and digital platforms: typography, branding, web design, motion graphics, video editing, UI/UX interaction design, and design thinking. That breadth is what lets graduates move across the design industry with confidence.
GD328 Design Thinking & Innovation teaches a structured, human-centered approach to creative problem-solving that's now used by top companies in every sector — from tech and healthcare to finance and education. This course positions you not just as a designer, but as a strategic thinker and creative problem-solver whose skills have value far beyond the design studio.
The Graphic Design program culminates in a required internship (GD429) and a Professional Practices course (GD430) — giving you real-world experience and a polished portfolio before you leave GCU. You'll also complete a Special Topics course (GD440) that allows you to explore emerging areas of design. Graduates are prepared for both immediate professional employment and advanced study in design or related fields.
Good design is everywhere. And so is the demand for designers who can do it well.
GCU’s B.A. in Graphic Design is built around a single conviction: that design education should be rigorous, current, globally aware, and accessible to students from all creative backgrounds. The
54-credit major builds a strong foundation in core design principles while integrating contemporary practices — including UI/UX design, motion graphics, web design, brand identity, and emerging technologies — that reflect the full scope of the modern design profession.
The program takes a studio-based approach. Your learning happens by doing — designing, iterating, critiquing, and presenting — in small classes where faculty know your name and your work. You’ll engage with both the theory and practice of design: studying art history and visual principles alongside hands-on projects in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and web design tools.
The curriculum is built around five interconnected threads: visual communication, typography, digital media, brand identity, and interaction design. By the time you graduate, you’ll have worked across all of them — giving you the versatility to pursue a wide range of design career paths.
GCU’s Graphic Design program also emphasizes global, inclusive, and ethical perspectives in design — preparing you to engage diverse audiences, design responsibly, and adapt to contexts beyond the ones you’ve personally experienced. These are the qualities that make great designers, not just technically competent ones.
And because the program doesn’t require a portfolio for admission, students from all backgrounds — including those who are just discovering their passion for design — can access this program and build their skills from the ground up.
GCU’s B.A. in Graphic Design is a great fit if you:
Design professionals are needed in every industry — because every product, brand, website, and campaign needs to communicate visually. Here’s where GCU Graphic Design graduates work.
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | $42,000–$52,000 | $61,700 | $80,000–$100,000+ |
| UI/UX Designers | $60,000–$80,000 | $106,400 | $120,000–$150,000+ |
| Art Directors | $65,000–$85,000 | $119,200 | $130,000–$170,000+ |
Job Outlook
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design requires 54 credits in major courses, including 30 credits of core requirements and 24 credits of specialized study, plus AR220 Modern Art or AR228 European & U.S. Art (either of which fulfills the Creative Thinking & Expression Gen Ed requirement).
Major Sequence
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design Courses | ||
| GD111 | Introduction to Design | 3.0 |
| GD112 | Drawing for Designers | 3.0 |
| GD113 | Computer Graphics | 3.0 |
| GD114 | Graphic Design I | 3.0 |
| GD212 | Intro to Design Thinking | 3.0 |
| GD213 | Typography I | 3.0 |
| GD214 | Graphic Design II | 3.0 |
| GD220 | Visual Principles & Strategy | 3.0 |
| GD226 | Video & Sound Editing | 3.0 |
| GD230 | Brand Identity Systems | 3.0 |
| GD322 | Web Design | 3.0 |
| GD324 | Typography II | 3.0 |
| GD327 | Motion Graphics | 3.0 |
| GD328 | Design Thinking & Innovation | 3.0 |
| GD422 | Creative Web & Interaction Design | 3.0 |
| GD429 | Internship | 3.0 |
| GD430 | Professional Practices | 3.0 |
| GD440 | Special Topics | 3.0 |
| Related Courses | ||
| AR220 | Modern Art | 3.0 |
| or AR228 | European & U.S. Art | |
| Total Credits | 57.0 | |
Admissions Requirements First-Year Students
Transfer Students
By the time you earn your B.A. in Graphic Design from GCU, you’ll be able to:
Q: Do I need a portfolio to apply to the Graphic Design program? A: No — and that’s intentional. GCU believes talented students shouldn’t be locked out of design education because they haven’t had the opportunity or resources to build a portfolio. Our program is designed to take students from wherever they are creatively and build their skills systematically. Your portfolio develops over four years of coursework, culminating in your senior internship and Professional Practices course.
Q: What software will I learn in this program? A: The program uses Adobe Creative Suite as its core toolset — including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign (introduced in GD113 Computer Graphics from the first semester). As you progress, you’ll also work with web design tools, video and audio editing software, and interaction design tools used in UI/UX work.
Q: Is this a fine art program or a design program? A: It’s a design program — specifically focused on visual communication and graphic design for professional practice. While the program draws on art history and visual theory (you’ll take a required art history course), the curriculum is oriented toward applied design: branding, typography, web, motion, and interactive design. If you’re interested in fine art practice — painting, sculpture, ceramics — GCU’s Visual Art, B.A. or Visual Art Studies, B.F.A. may be a better fit.
Q: What’s the difference between the B.A. in Graphic Design and the B.F.A. in Visual Art Studies? A: The B.A. in Graphic Design focuses on professional graphic design practice — visual communication, branding, web and interactive design, and typography — preparing you for the design industry. The B.F.A. in Visual Art Studies is a studio fine art degree with a broader focus on artistic practice and expression across media. If you want a design career, the B.A. in Graphic Design is the right path. If you want to pursue fine art, gallery work, or art education, the B.F.A. may be more appropriate.
Q: What is UI/UX design, and why is it in the curriculum? A: UI (User Interface) design focuses on the visual design of digital products — apps, websites, software. UX (User Experience) design focuses on how those products feel to use — the flow, logic, and usability of the experience. Together, UI/UX design is one of the fastest-growing and highest-paid specializations in the design field. GD422 Creative Web & Interaction Design introduces these skills, and GD328 Design Thinking & Innovation provides the human-centered methodology that underlies all great UX work.
Q: Can I combine Graphic Design with another major or minor? A: Yes. The B.A. in Graphic Design pairs naturally with Marketing (visual communication skills are a major asset in marketing careers), Communication (particularly for students interested in media and advertising), and Business Administration (for students interested in design leadership or entrepreneurship). Students can also complete the Graphic Design Minor — or conversely, Graphic Design majors can add minors in Marketing, Communication, or other disciplines.
Q: What kind of internship will I complete? A: GD429 Internship is a required course in the senior year — you’ll complete a real-world design internship at an approved organization. Internship placements have included design agencies, corporate in-house design departments, nonprofit organizations, media companies, and marketing firms. The internship is paired with GD430 Professional Practices, which helps you translate your internship experience into a polished professional portfolio and career-launch strategy.
Q: What does “global, inclusive, and ethical design” mean in practice? A: It means learning to design for audiences beyond your own experience — considering cultural context, accessibility, representation, and the social impact of your design choices. Practically, this shows up in course projects where you’re asked to design for diverse audiences, in discussions about how design has historically reflected and reinforced power structures, and in learning to create work that is accessible to people with different abilities. These skills are increasingly valued by employers and are central to professional design ethics.
Q: When should I apply? A: GCU uses rolling admissions, so you can apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Applying early gives you the best access to merit scholarships, housing, and financial aid.
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