M.Ed. in Special Education
Mississippi College, located in Clinton, Mississippi, offers a comprehensive Master of ...
B.S. in Graphic Design
Clinton, Mississippi
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Graphic Design at Mississippi College provides an immersive and comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with a wide array of skills essential for success in the graphic arts field. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in art, design principles, and creative problem-solving, blending traditional artistic techniques with modern digital media. Students are guided by accomplished faculty who bring professional experience and a commitment to nurturing artistic growth. The program aims to prepare graduates for various career paths, including website development, advertising, magazine layout, illustration, and general graphic design roles.
Curriculum: The B.S. in Graphic Design curriculum is structured to offer a holistic educational experience. It includes a university core, an art core, and specialized graphic design concentration requirements. Key courses cover foundational art skills such as Basic Design I & II, Drawing I & II, and Painting I. The graphic design concentration delves into specific software and design applications with courses like Introduction to Graphic Design & Software, Digital Animation, Graphic Design I, II, III, and IV, Digital Illustration, and Interactive Design. A crucial aspect of the curriculum is the emphasis on portfolio development through courses like Graphic Design Portfolio I & II, ensuring students build a strong, professional body of work. Additionally, the program offers a Marketing Concentration option, providing students with an 18-hour focus on marketing principles, consumer behavior, integrated marketing communications, and marketing strategy, which can be highly beneficial for careers in advertising and marketing. Students also gain real-world experience through a required Graphic Design Professional Internship. The department provides modern facilities, including two Mac Labs equipped with the latest Adobe design suite, supporting hands-on learning.
Research Focus: While the B.S. in Graphic Design is primarily a professional practice-oriented degree, Mississippi College, through its Office of Research, supports various forms of scholarly activity, including undergraduate research. In the broader university context, research is encouraged across disciplines, with dedicated support for faculty and student projects. For graphic design students, this might translate into research-informed design projects, exploring historical or theoretical aspects of visual communication, or investigating emerging trends and technologies within the field. The curriculum's inclusion of Art Criticism and Aesthetics also encourages a critical and analytical approach to design, which forms a basis for research.
Industry Engagement: Mississippi College places a strong emphasis on providing students with practical, real-world experiences. For graphic design students, this is evident through the mandatory Graphic Design Professional Internship, allowing them to gain invaluable industry exposure and build professional networks. The program's focus on building a robust portfolio of printed and digital media directly addresses industry demands. The School of Business at Mississippi College also actively promotes experiential learning opportunities, such as attending national conferences, participating in competitions, and networking with professionals, which indirectly benefits graphic design students interested in business applications of their skills.
Global Perspective: Mississippi College fosters a global perspective through its diverse student body, including a significant number of international students. The Office of Global Education offers various programs and initiatives to support international students and promote cultural exchange, such as "Friend-a-Student" and "Conversation Partners" programs. While the B.S. in Graphic Design curriculum may not have explicit global studies modules, the inherently international nature of visual communication means that students are indirectly exposed to diverse cultural contexts and design influences. Studying the history of graphic design naturally involves examining global movements and trends, contributing to a broader understanding of the field's international scope. The university's overall commitment to a globalized learning environment enriches the experience for all students, preparing them for a globally interconnected design industry.
Location
Clinton, Mississippi
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
USD 21000
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 71 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 45 or higher.
Mississippi College is making quality education affordable for students from around the world. To support this goal, the college offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for international students, helping to reduce the overall cost of tuition and living expenses.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students with strong academic records are eligible for merit-based scholarships. These awards are determined by evaluating high school GPA (or equivalent), standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), and other academic achievements. The scholarship amount varies, with awards ranging from partial to significant tuition discounts, which are renewable based on academic performance.
Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships: Highly qualified international students may receive Presidential or Dean’s Scholarships, two of the most prestigious awards offered by Mississippi College. These scholarships are based on exceptional academic credentials and leadership potential and can cover a substantial portion of tuition costs.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Graphic Design from Mississippi College prepares graduates for a dynamic and evolving industry. The program's blend of foundational art skills, advanced software proficiency (especially Adobe Creative Suite), and an optional Marketing Concentration equips students with a versatile skillset highly valued by employers.
Graphic Designer: This is the most direct career path, involving the creation of visual concepts using computer software or by hand to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. Work can range from designing logos, brochures, and websites to posters, advertisements, and social media graphics across various industries (advertising, marketing, publishing, corporate communications, etc.).
Web Designer / UI (User Interface) Designer: With the digital landscape constantly expanding, web designers are crucial for creating the visual layout and interactive elements of websites and applications. UI designers focus specifically on the user interface, ensuring that the visual elements are intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly.
UX (User Experience) Designer: While closely related to UI, UX designers focus on the overall experience a user has with a product, service, or system. They conduct research, create wireframes and prototypes, and test designs to ensure a seamless and enjoyable interaction. A strong understanding of design principles and user psychology, often gained through a graphic design degree, is vital here.
Digital Illustrator: Graduates with strong drawing and digital art skills can pursue careers as digital illustrators, creating original artwork for books, magazines, advertisements, video games, and websites. This role often involves using software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to bring concepts to life.
Motion Graphics Designer / Animator: As video content and interactive media dominate digital platforms, motion graphics designers are highly sought after. They create animated visual elements, such as titles, logos, and special effects, for videos, commercials, presentations, and websites. Proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects is essential.
Brand Identity Designer: Specializing in creating and maintaining a consistent visual identity for businesses, brand identity designers develop logos, color palettes, typography guidelines, and other visual assets that define a brand's personality and message. This role often involves working with marketing and advertising teams.
Marketing or Advertising Designer: These designers work within marketing or advertising agencies, or in the marketing departments of companies, to create visually compelling content for campaigns. This includes everything from print ads and billboards to digital banners, email templates, and social media visuals. The Marketing Concentration offered by Mississippi College is particularly beneficial for this role.
Packaging Designer: With an emphasis on consumer psychology and visual appeal, packaging designers create the visual elements of product packaging, aiming to attract customers and communicate brand values. This can involve designing labels, boxes, and other packaging materials for a wide range of products.
Editorial Designer / Publication Designer: These designers specialize in the layout and visual presentation of books, magazines, newspapers, and other print or digital publications. They focus on typography, imagery, and overall aesthetics to create engaging and readable content.
Art Director: With experience, graphic design graduates can advance to become Art Directors. They oversee the visual style and images for various projects, including advertising campaigns, magazines, and websites. Art Directors lead teams of designers, illustrators, and photographers, providing creative direction and ensuring a cohesive visual message.
