Communication Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
SLP 007CCS First Year Experience1
DFN 119Digital Techniques3
DFN 1372D & 3D Integrated Design Studio3
DFN 139Color & Light Studies3
DGD 151Typography I3
DVC 100Introduction to Material Culture3

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DFN 1384D Design Studio3
DFN 142Performative Spaces3
DGD 152Typography II3
DGD 124Motion Essentials3
DEN 101Composition I3

Second Year

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGD 251Typography III3
DGD 263User Interface Design3
DGD 211Introduction to Communication Design I3
DEN 102Composition II3
DAH 100
Western Art History/Visual Culture3*
DAH 201Visual Narration: Africa3*
DAH 202Visual Narration: Asia3*
*Choose one of the indicated courses.

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGD 264User Experience Design3
DGD 212Introduction to Communication Design II3
DGD 224Motion Narratives3
DAH 247History of Graphic Design3
DHU —Humanities Course3

Third Year

Fifth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGD 311Inter Communication Design I3
DGD 317Professional Studio Practice I3
DGD 365Immersive Spaces3
D– 200-400General Education Elective3
D– 200-400General Education Elective3

Sixth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGD 312Intermediate Communication Design II3
DGD – – –Communication Design Elective3
D- 200-400General Education Elective3
DNS 200-400Natural Science3
D– 100-400Open Elective3

Fourth Year

Seventh Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGD 411Advanced Communication Design I3
DGD 418Professional Studio Practice II3
DAE —Art Education Elective3
DAH 200-400Art History Elective3*†
DVC 200-400Visual Culture Elective3*†
D— 200-400General Education Elective3
*Choose one of the listed courses in this row.
†DAH/DVC must be taken at the 200 level or higher

Eighth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGD 412Advanced Communication Design II3
DGD – – –Communication Design Elective3
DGD – – –Communication Design Elective3
D– 200-400General Education Elective3
D— 100-400Open Elective3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 120/121

‡International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122

First Year Experience=1; Foundations=15; Major=60; Gen Ed=39; Open Electives=6

Communication Design Electives – Successfully complete designated DGD courses within the major (not listed as “required”).

General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level (non-required) Liberal Arts course, from subjects: DAH-Art History, DAS-Academic Studies, DEN-English, DHS-History, DLE-Liberal Elective, DNS-Natural Science DSS-Social Science, DPL-Philosophy, etc), DVC-Visual Culture.

Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level (non-required) course from an Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).

This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.

Communication Design Faculty

Susan LaPorte
MFA, California Institute of the Arts BFA, University of Illinois at Chicago

Matt Raupp
MFA, Eastern Michigan University BFA, Eastern Michigan University

Chad Reichert
MFA, Minneapolis College of Art and Design BSFA, Valparaiso University