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Visual Communication Design - B.A. Program Requirements PDFDownload to print

Type Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; ELR Experiential Learning; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity, writing-intensive and the experiential learning requirements.

I. DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE  (1 credit)
Type
Course Title Credits
  US 10097 Destination Kent State: First Year Experience 1
II. MAJOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (61 credits)  Courses count in major GPA 
Type Course Title Credits
  VCD 13000 Introduction to Visual Communication Design 3
    13001 Introduction to Visual Communication Design Studio* 3
    20009 VCD Sophomore Portfolio Review 1
    20010 Introduction to Design Research 3
    22000 Design/Illustration Techniques I 3
    22001 Design/Illustration Techniques II 3
    23001 Introduction to Typography* 3
    28000 Photography 3
    32000 Illustration I 3
    33000 Graphic Design I 3
    33001 Graphic Design II 3
    34004 Visual Ethics 3
    34005 Introduction to 3-D Graphic Design 3
    34006 Kinetic and Sequential Graphic Design 3
    40025 Professional Portfolio 2
ELR   40092 Internship I in Graphic Design/Illustration 1
ELR   40192 Internship II in Graphic Design/Illustration 3
WIC   45000 Graphic Design Perspectives** 3
    49199 Senior Capstone 3
  VCD Bachelor of Arts Guided Electives*** 9
III. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (61 credits)  
Type Course Title Credits
KFA ARTH 22007 Art History II: Renaissance to Modern Art 3
KAD COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication 3
KSS
DD
JMC 20001 Media, Power and Culture 3
  LIS 30010 Information Fluency in the Workplace and Beyond 3
  Kent Core Composition 6-8
  Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning 3-5
  Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts 6
  Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 3
  Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) 6-7
  Kent Core Additional 3
  Minor Coursework 18
  Additional Minor Hours, General Electives or Additional VCD Guided Electives**** 4
MINIMUM TOTAL  123


*A minimum B (3.000) grade in VCD 13001 before enrolling in VCD 23001.

**A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

***Any VCD course taken is calculated in the major GPA.

****Number of credits required depends on meeting minimum 123 total credit hours and minimum 39 upper-division credit hours.

Special Requirements for All VCD Programs:

Special requirement 1:
VCD 23001 Introduction to Typography (3)
Admission to VCD 23001 requires students to receive a grade of B (3.000) or better in VCD 13001.     

Special requirement 2:
VCD 20009 VCD Sophomore Portfolio Review (1)
VCD 20009  the review of the creative ability and technical skills of students wishing to pursue courses or a major in visual communication design will be based on the quality of a portfolio of work selected from basic courses VCD 13000, 13001, 22000, 22001, 23001 and 33000.

Special requirement 3:
A minor is required for the B.A. See advisor or roadmap for specific details on minor requirements.
 
VCD Bachelor of Arts Guided Electives (9 credit hours), choose from the following:

VCD 28002 Photography II 3 VCD 43001 Advanced Kinetic and Sequential Graphic Design 3
VCD 32001 Illustration II 3 VCD 43004 Issues of Graphic Design Business 3
VCD 38003 Photo Technology 3 VCD 43005 Packaging, Promotion and Retail Environments 3
VCD 38004 Advanced Photography 3 VCD 43007 Information Graphics 3
VCD 40052 Graphic Design—Travel and Field Experience 1-6 VCD 43008 Branded Identity 3
 VCD 43000 Studio Production 3 VCD 43051 Type High Press 3

Special Major Note:

Students who pass 15 credits of non-remedial academic coursework each fall and spring semester and the 1-credit First Year Experience course will accumulate 121 credits in four years. This major requires 123 credits for graduation. Students can stay on track for graduation by:

  • Declaring their major as freshmen and completing all courses in sequence (bear in mind that switching majors may cause a delay in graduation);
  • Prioritizing required courses above electives;
  • Meeting regularly with their academic advisors to stay on track;
  • Passing each required course the first time attempted and maintaining the minimal GPA for the major;
  • Successfully completing more than 15 credit hours of relevant coursework (field-based work, internship) during academic semesters; and/or
  • Completing relevant coursework (field-based work, internship) during summer sessions.