Graphic Design

Graduates of the Rasmussen University Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree will be able to conceptualize, design, and critique design solutions to complex visual problems. Students will progress through an in-depth study of the predominant theories of design and interactivity, including branding, user experience, and critical creative thinking. Students will also explore emerging technologies used in meeting complex visual communication needs. They will create and combine multiple forms of media with a high level of mastery and with a deep understanding of the audience and the context of the design problems. Authentic, multi-disciplinary, project-based assessments with advanced techniques in industry-standard software prepare graduates for business environments as professional designers. Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in a variety of industries, including specialized design services, marketing and advertising, employment services, print and publication design, and cable, television, and film production.

• Motion Designer
• Motion Graphics Artist
• User Interface (UI) Designer
• User Experience (UX) Designer
• Graphic Designer
• Visual Designer
• Graphic Artist
• Production Artist
• Junior Graphic Designer
• Design Specialist
• Visual Information Specialist
• Graphic Specialist
• Creative Graphics Designer
• Digital Designer
• Print Designer
• Motion Graphic Designer
• Visual Media Producer
• Marketing Coordinator/Specialist
• Web Designer
• Video Editor
• Multimedia Designer

Applicants for careers in this field may be subject to pre-employment screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, and drug/or alcohol testing. Employment decisions, including whether to require background checks and other tests, are made at the discretion of the employer. Rasmussen does not pre-screen for enrollment in this program. Any prospective student must consider their history, lifestyle and future actions before enrolling in this program, and carefully consider whether their actions may prevent them from attaining employment in the field they choose to pursue. Additional requirements, such as industry-specific training may be required to obtain employment in this field.

A student enrolled in an associate degree program through Rasmussen University Online may dual enroll in this Bachelor’s degree program when enrolled in the final 12 credits needed to complete their enrolled associate’s degree program, and all program acceptance requirements are met. The student may be scheduled to complete Associate program course requirements before taking Bachelor-level courses. The student will graduate from their enrolled associate degree program only when all course requirements specific to that program have been completed. Students who choose this option to dual enroll cannot complete the final 12 credits in the associate degree as self-directed assessments (SDA). Students enrolled in a Rasmussen University Certificate or Diploma program are not eligible to dual enroll in this Bachelor’s degree program. Students enrolled in a residential program through a campus are not eligible to dual enroll in this program.

This is a bachelor-completer program. To be considered for admission, applicants must provide transcripts from an accredited institution of higher learning as recognized by the U. S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) that demonstrates one of the following:

1. A conferred associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field, as listed below
2. A conferred associate’s or bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field
3. Completion of at least 60 quarter credits or 40 semester credits of college-level coursework with a grade of C- or higher in each course

Students who transfer a conferred associate’s or bachelor’s degree from the following approved field-related programs will receive a block transfer of 91 lower-level quarter credits:

• Graphic Design, Graphic Arts, or Graphic Communications
• Multimedia Design or Multimedia Technologies
• Digital Design, Digital Communication, or Digital Arts
• Visual Design or Visual Communication Design
• Interactive Design
• Computer Graphics or Computer Graphics Design
• Art/Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design
• Marketing Communication with a concentration in Graphic Design

Students with an unrelated associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or at least 60 eligible quarter credits, may be considered for this program as specified below:

• Students may be required to take additional lower-level prerequisite courses when equivalent courses have not been completed within the past five (5) years. Prerequisite courses a student may be required to complete include: GRA1000C Graphic Design Tools and Techniques, GRA1206C Typography, GRA1600C Color Theories and Applications, and GRA1700C Elements and Principles of Graphic Design.
• In addition, the students will have their transcripts evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine whether any upper-level credits will also apply to their program. Eligible transfer credits will be applied to their program at the appropriate level.

Students who have fewer than 91 transferable lower-level quarter credits will be required to take additional lower-level coursework. The additional coursework will be determined by Rasmussen University based upon a predetermined elective pool appropriate for the program of enrollment.

This competency-based education program contains both traditional and competency-based education (CBE) courses. CBE courses are indicated in italics.