Entertainment Arts – Concept Design

Summary

The Entertainment Arts — Concept Design page describes the Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum (catalog year 2026–2027) at College for Creative Studies: a standard four‑year, full‑time pathway totaling 120–122 credits with a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA, outlining semester-by-semester course plans (foundations, digital 3D, concept ID, visual communication, architecture, character/vehicle/props, senior concept studios) and required general education (39 cr.), major-specific studio courses (60 cr.), electives, and a 1-credit first‑year experience; it also lists program/credit requirement details, approved course options, recommended courses, footnotes on placement/transfer waivers, and notes that the plan is a guide with students responsible for confirming graduation requirements.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements


Catalog Year 26/27

Standard 4 Year Pathway (full-time status)

Total Credits 120-122


First Year

First Semester = 16 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  SLP-007 CCS First Year Experience *1
  DFN-101 Drawing I: Rapid Concepts3
  DFN-117 2D Design Principals3
  DFN-119 Digital Techniques3
  DMA-105 Design Process 13
  AHV-100 Introduction to Material Culture (CR)3

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DFN-112 Drawing II: Style & Skill3
  DFN-132 Process & Making3
  DMA-106 Design Process 23
  DMA-108 Intro to Digital 3D I3
  WRT-101 Composition I (CR) 3

Second Year

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DMA-208 Intro to Digital 3D II3
  DMA-237 Concept ID3
  DMA-257 Vis Comm 3 Material Indication3
  WRT-102 Composition II (CR)3
Choose one course:
  AHV-215 History of Film (MR)
  AHV-216 History of Video Games (MR)
3

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DMA-245 Game: Concept and Technology3
  DMA-258 Visual Com 4: Composting3
  DMA-259 Color Theory3
  DIL-246 Anatomical Figure Illustration3
Choose one:
  AHV-203 Global Art History I (CR)
  AHV-204 Global Art History II (CR)
3

Third Year

Fifth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DMA-357 Vis Comm 5: Zbrush3
  DMA-360 Architecture I3
  DMA-362 Vehicles and Props3
  BUS-213 Business Practices (CE)3
  Humanities: Choose from approved list (CE)3

Sixth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DMA-358 Vis Comm 6: Dramatic Narrative3
  DMA-361 Architecture 23
  DMA-363 Character Design3
  Science Elective 200-400 level (CE)3
  General Education Elective3

Fourth Year

Seventh Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DMA-430 Senior Concept Studio I3
  DMA-457 Visual Communication 73
  AHV 200-400 Art History & Visual Culture Course (CE)3
  General Education Elective3
  Open Elective3

Eighth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DMA-431 Senior Concept Studio 23
  DMA-458 Visual Communication 83
  General Education Elective3
  General Education Elective3
  Open Elective3

Additional ”Program & Credit Requirement Details” attached; includes ”approved course lists” and ”recommended courses (RC)” for any requirements with noted selections. Enrolled students should view Self-Service (My Progress/Plan & Schedule) for complete program information; see catalog for additional course details and descriptions.

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.


Program & Credit Requirement Details

Degree RequirementsTotal credits requiredRequirement Details
  First Year Experience1.0SLP-007 is waived for eligible transfer students with 12.0 (or more) college.
  Foundations15.0Required for all majors. Successfully complete listed DFN Foundation courses for enrolled major; requirements may vary per major.
  General Education39.0Liberal Arts courses required for all undergraduate majors; total credits may vary per program.
  General Education Undergrad CORE Requirements (CR)12.0Successfully complete WRT & AHV core general education prerequisites requirements (Composition pathways may vary based on completed assessments, test scores or transfer credits).
  General Education MAJOR Requirements (MJ)3.0Successfully complete major specific Liberal Arts. Requirements vary per major.
  General Education Undergrad CORE Electives (CE)9.0Successfully complete core general education electives required for all UG majors (Science, Humanities, Art History & Visual Culture) as outlined on 4 year pathway/degree requirements:
3.0 cr. Science: Successfully complete one course from the SCI subject; 200-400 level
3.0 cr. Humanities Option: Successfully complete one of the following approved courses: LIT 239, LIT 203, DHS 201, DSS 215, DSS 240 or DPL 201
3.0 cr. Art History & Visual Culture: Successfully complete course from AHV subject, 200-400 level
  General Education Electives12.0Successfully complete any non-required 200-400 level Liberal Arts course from subject codes: AHV, BUS, DHS, DPL, DSS, SCI, WRT, LIT
(Total Gen.Ed Elective credits vary per major).

(RC) Recommended course towards General Education Elective credits: BUS 213 Business Practices
  Major §60.0Studio and/or lecture courses specific to major focus.
  Major Courses §60.0Successfully complete listed DMA courses in 4 year plan, by recommended sequence (based on prerequisites).
  Major Electives0.0Major electives are not required for this program.
  Open Electives6.0Successfully complete 100-400 level courses from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
Total Program Credits121.0Total credits required 120 – 122
Undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program, GPA minimum requirement = 2.0

Footnotes

* ELS 101 Composition I for Multilingual Students 4.0 cr.
† WRT 101/102 Self Placement Survey available.
‡ Based on SLP 007 (1.0 cr.) and ELS 101 (4.0 cr.)§ Remaining Major course sequence impacts timeline to degree completion.