Summary
The Communication Design + Strategy / Art Education BFA (2026–27 catalog) is a 138–139 credit undergraduate program combining core communication design sequences (typography, UX/UI, motion, brand/campaign strategy, design research/theory and professional studio practice) with a 30-credit Art Education track and general education requirements; the curriculum maps a semester-by-semester four-year plan (plus a fifth-year Directed Teaching/Professional Seminar practicum) with required foundation courses, major electives, and GPA minima (overall 2.0 and 2.7 for Art Education requirements), and notes transfer/placement exceptions, approved course lists, and degree-timeline considerations for graduation.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
Catalog Year 26/27
Total Credits 138-139
First Year
Second Year
Third Semester = 18 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| CDS-251 Typography III | 3 |
| CDS-263 UI Design | 3 |
| CDS-211 Design Semiotics | 3 |
| WRT-102 Composition II (CR) | 3 |
| Choose one: AHV-203 or AHV-204 Global Art History I/II (CR) | 3 |
| DAE-250 Human Dev. Creative and Visual Learning | 3 |
Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| CDS-264 UX Design | 3 |
| CDS-212 Design Research | 3 |
| CDS-224 Motion Narratives | 3 |
| AHV-247 History of Communication Design I (MR) | 3 |
| Humanities: Choose from approved list (CE) | 3 |
Third Year
Fourth Year
Seventh Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| CDS-411 Integrated Brand Strategy | 3 |
| CDS-418 Professional Studio Practices II | 3 |
| CDS Major Elective | 3 |
| AHV 200-400 Art History & Visual Culture Course (CE) | 3 |
| DAE-407 Reading & Language Art Methods | 3 |
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 Requirements | Total credits required | Requirement Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience | 1.0 | SLP-007 is waived for eligible transfer students with 12.0 (or more) college. |
| Foundations | 15.0 | Required for all majors. Successfully complete listed DFN Foundation courses for enrolled major; requirements may vary per major. (TR) = Additional transfer consideration for DFN-138 & DFN-142, based on review of CDS majors. |
| General Education | 33.0 | Liberal Arts courses required for all undergraduate majors; total credits may vary per program. |
| General Education Undergrad CORE Requirements (CR) | 12.0 | Successfully 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) | 6.0 | Successfully complete major specific Liberal Arts. Requirements vary per major. |
| General Education Undergrad CORE Electives (CE) | 9.0 | Successfully 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 Electives | 6.0 | Successfully 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). |
| Major § | 60.0 | Studio and/or lecture courses specific to major focus. |
| Major Courses § | 48.0 | Successfully complete listed CDS courses in 4 year plan, by recommended sequence (based on prerequisites) |
| Major Electives | 12.0 | Non-required major courses with subject code CDS are considered major electives; exceptions require approval. |
| Open Electives | 0.0 | Open electives are not required for this program. |
| Art Education | 30.0 | Art Education required courses. |
| Art Education (DAE) | 15.0 | Successfully complete required credits DAE 200, 250, 315, 405 & 407 – before taking Directed Teaching & Seminar semester. |
| Art Education Elective | 3.0 | Successfully complete an approved undergraduate studio course to satisfy this requirement (prior to Directed Teaching/Seminar semester) |
| Art Education (DAE) Directed Teaching & Seminar | 12.0 | Successfully complete DAE 510 & 520 in final semester (all other BFA credit requirements should be satisfied prior). |
| Total Program Credits | 139.0 | Total credits required 138 – 139 ‡, based on SLP 007 (1.0 cr.) |
| Undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program, GPA minimum requirement = 2.0 Additional minimum GPA requirement for Art Education requirements = 2.7 | ||
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.