Home  >  Academics  >  Majors and Minors  >  Graphic Design Major
graphic design major photo

Graphic Design Major

The graphic design major provides opportunities for those looking towards a career in art and design with a broad-based, liberal arts foundation. Beginning with the principle that knowledge is the source of creativity, students are encouraged to not only become capable designers, but also educated adults and lifelong learners. Students will become familiar with the professional practices of the design industry and their place in the larger historical and theoretical context of creative endeavor, leading ultimately to a vocation that is both personally satisfying and a valuable service to others.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graphic design program seeks to produce graduates who are able to demonstrate:

  1. proficiency with an appropriate variety of media and technologies,
  2. familiarity with the ethical, practical, theoretical, and historical underpinnings of their chosen field of study,
  3. the ability to approach visual communication challenges with creativity and insight, producing work that is consistently original and meaningful,
  4. effective and professional written, verbal, and visual communication skills, and
  5. the ability to work effectively with others.

Student Stories

Meet the Faculty

For more information, see our Graphic Design Department.

NameTitleOffice / PhoneCourses
Andy OvernAndy Overn
YFAC 207
507-344-7398
Professor YFAC 207
507-344-7398
Amanda QuistAmanda Quist
HH 229
507-344-7385
Assistant Professor HH 229
507-344-7385

View Full Directory

Major Requirements

Note Bethany’s Program Requirements Disclaimer when planning your coursework.

Mission Statement

The graphic design major provides opportunities for those looking towards a career in art and design with a broad-based, liberal arts foundation. Beginning with the principle that knowledge is the source of creativity, students are encouraged to not only become capable designers, but also educated adults and lifelong learners. Students will become familiar with the professional practices of the design industry and their place in the larger historical and theoretical context of creative endeavor, leading ultimately to a vocation that is both personally satisfying and a valuable service to others.

Entry into the Major

Each student is required to formally apply for entry into the graphic design major. This typically takes place in the spring of the sophomore year. At this time it is imperative that all prospective graphic design students have an advisor from the Graphic Design, Studio Art, or Media Arts departments. A major application form may be obtained from your faculty advisor or downloaded from the graphic design section of the college website. In order to gain admittance to, and graduate with, the graphic design major, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all studio courses and an overall GPA of 2.0.

Junior Review

At the end of the junior year, faculty advisors will examine all student transcripts to ensure adequate progress is being made toward degree completion.

Requirements

Pre-Major Coursework – 19 credits

Pre-major coursework may be taken concurrently with other coursework.

All of:

One of:

Historical Perspective – 6 credits

Two of:

Theoretical and Critical Analysis – 6 credits

One course:

One of:

Theory and Practice – 18 credits

All of:

One of:

Capstone / Senior Project – 4 credits

Both:

Optional Internship
Recommended Courses

Additional curricular suggestions for the graphic design student:

Graphic Design Minor

A minor in graphic design requires the following courses.

All of:

One of:

One of:

Next Steps

Do you see Graphic Design in your future? We’d love to hear from you! Learn more about becoming a Bethany student, or schedule your personal visit today.